by TechNotate.com

Created on: August 09, 2007

Topographic Maps The World

Many people know how to read all types of maps, such as road maps, weather maps, world maps and so forth. Topographical maps deal with the surface changes on the earth. They are maps that summarize 2-dimensional illustrations of a 3-dimensional surface of the earth. Topographic maps provide extensive close-up details about any place, whether you view it on paper or a computer screen.

Topographic maps and used for many purposes. The first purpose is that the topographic map is widely used today. Secondly, the main feature that differ topographic maps from other maps is that portray both natural and man made features that are grouped together.

1. Culture: roads, buildings, railroads, airports, recreation areas, property surveys.
2. Water: lakes, rivers, streams, swamps, rapids.
3. Relief: mountains, valleys, slopes depressions.
4. Vegetation: wooded areas, vineyards, and orchards.

These maps are also used for camping, fishing, and hiking. Many of you have all ready used topographical maps in your every day travels. Topographic maps are important tools for virtually anyone who travels outdoors.

There are many colors found on topographic maps, which represent different features.

1. BLACK- shows cultural features like buildings, railways certain symbols.
2. RED- is use for paved roads, highway numbers, exit numbers, names of major transportation routes.
3. ORANGE- indicates unpaved roads and unclassified roads and streets.
4. BROWN- indicates elevations, territories.
5. BLUE- represents water features, such as lakes, streams, falls, rapids, swamps and marshes. The names of bodies of water are also shown in blue.
6. GREEN- indicates wooded areas, orchards and vineyards.
7. GRAY- is used on the back of the map where the different symbols and glossary terms and abbreviations can be found.

You can locate topographic maps on line, in libraries, schools and colleges. They might have a map room where you can locate many types of maps, including topographic maps.

Topographic maps are the best tool available whether on paper or on a computer screen, to view the arrangement of objects on the Earth's surface, and other useful reasons, like highways, buildings, fishing, property surveys and so forth.

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