Topographic Maps

As you look through the following slides please:

Write one sentence for EACH slide that covers the Main Idea and Supporting details for that slide

Your task:

Topographic map: a map showing the surface features of an area

Gives information aboutElevationReliefSlope

What is a topographic map?

To decide where to build new stores, houses, schools or factories

To plan bicycle trips or hikes

Some Uses of Topographic Maps

The USGS (U.S. Geological Survey)The USGS has made about 57,000

that cover all of the United States except parts of Alaska!

Who makes topographic maps?

Mapmakers use symbols to represent features on a map

Symbols

Contour Lines: Used to represent elevation, relief, and slope on topographic maps

All points with the same elevation are connected with a contour line

Contour Lines

The closer the lines are, the steeper the slope!

Contour Lines

Contour Interval- The difference in elevation between two contour lines that are next to one another.

Contour Interval

Global Positioning System: a method of finding latitude, longitude, and elevation of points on Earth’s surface using satellites

GPS

Click on the link that follows to see topographic maps in action!

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgrOaWKyv8w

Reading a Topographic Map