What Is the Purpose of Topographic Maps?
A topographic map is a special type of map that uses contour lines to represent areas of equal elevation. The distance between the contour lines represents a difference in elevation that is defined by the map’s legend, and may be a specific number of feet, meters, miles, kilometers or any number of other measuring units. While most maps allow a person to measure distance between points, a topographic map allows a person to determine the height or depth of the terrain and the steepness of slopes.
