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How to Read a Topographic Map
From your Geography Guide
U.S. topographic maps, issued by the USGS, all conform to certain standards, making reading them easy.
Difficulty Level:
Average
Time Required:
10 minutes
Here's How:
- Thin brown lines represent contours or points of similar elevation. The closer together they are, the steeper the terrain.
- Contour lines form 'v' shapes in valleys or along stream beds. The point of the 'v' points uphill.
- Blue represents water.
- Green represents orchards and forested areas.
- Purple markings are those that have been 'photorevised,' or added to the map since the original map was published..
- Red areas represent urban areas, although the maps will often indicate special buildings of significance within the urbanized area.
- Roads and highways are represented in black and red.
- The scale on 1:24,000 topographic maps means that one inch equals 2000 feet
Related Information:
More How To's from your Guide to Geography
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