Understanding Topographic Maps

What is the primary purpose of a topographic map?

• To provide weather information

• To show political boundaries

• To display three-dimensional geographical features on a two-dimensional surface

• To show population density

What are the dark squiggly lines on a topographic map called?

• Longitude lines

• Latitude lines

• Grid lines

• Contour lines

What do contour lines on a topographic map represent?

• Points of equal elevation

• Points of equal population

• Points of equal temperature

• Points of equal distance

What is an index contour?

• A line that shows the direction of the wind

• A contour line that is thinner and not labeled

• A contour line that is thicker and labeled with its elevation

• A line that shows the distance between two points

What does the contour interval indicate?

• The change in elevation between contour lines

• The distance between two points on the map

• The population density between two areas

• The temperature difference between two points

How can you determine the contour interval if it is not labeled on the map?

• By checking the map scale

• By measuring the distance between two points

• By counting the number of contour lines between two index contours and dividing the elevation difference by that number

• By looking at the color of the lines

What is the purpose of a map scale on a topographic map?

• To show the elevation of different points

• To indicate the real-world distances between points on the map

• To show the population density

• To display the temperature variations

What does a compass rose on a topographic map indicate?

• The distance between two points

• The temperature variations

• The directions (north, south, east, west) on the map

• The elevation of different points

If a map has a 250-meter elevation difference between two index contours with 5 contour lines in between, what is the contour interval?

• 50 meters

• 200 meters

• 100 meters

• 25 meters

What should you do if a map does not specify the units of elevation?

• Assume it is in feet

• Ignore the elevation information

• Use the term 'units' to describe the elevation change

• Assume it is in meters