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Topographical maps are made with urban planning and the outdoors-man in mind. Well, that and the Military. At the lower right hand side of the topographical map, you will find a scale that represents the ratio of the distance on the map to the actual distance on the ground. A topographical map with a larger scale will show more visible information than a smaller scaled map, so for camping/hiking/canoing, or any outdoors events where a topographical map will come in handy for your activities, you will want to get as large of a scaled map as possible. In this regard, a 1/500,000 or even 1:1,000,000 scaled map would be better for hiking in the outback than would a 1/24,000 scaled map. The larger the scale, the more detail it will entail.

Topographical maps carry an enormous amount of information. On the reverse side, or along the borders of the map, there will be a legend, telling what all the lines, symbols and numbers mean. The contour lines are the most important, other than the longitudinal/latitudinal lines, on the map. When these lines are closer together, in bunches, it tells of a high elevation change. When these lines are further apart, they signify a gentler slope, or relatively flat terrain. Do not mistake a topographical map for a satellite map, though. A satellite map will show that there is a 45 foot hole in the ground between you and your intended camp site, but a topographical map will not.

When canoing or kayaking through unknown lands, a topographical map will show you where the portages, dams, currents, rapids, etc. lie in your way. You can use this information to plan out your adventure, by calculating the time needed to, let's say, portage a waterfall safely, and set up camp in a higher elevation to avoid run-off waters ruining your campsite. The scale will tell you the distance between the contour lines, so that you can figure where the steeper or less gradient approaches to your destination are, making the hike easier or harder, as you see fit, and the distance between points. The tools for using a topographical map properly are a compass (preferably with locking arms; for figuring distances according to the legend), protractor (for figuring gradients; not needed for wildlife venturing, mainly used for surveying applications), flashlight (always bring extra batteries when venturing out overnight), and a pencil and paper.

The general American standard for Topographical map scales is 1:24,000, or 1 inch on the map equals 2000 inches in reality,

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