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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.

Function
- A topographic map represents a portion of the Earth's surface, and may include bodies of water such as the ocean floor as well as land surface.
Features
- Topographic maps frequently include standard symbols to indicate the presence of major natural and man-made features such as roads, rivers, streams, lakes and buildings.
Identification
- Topographic maps frequently make use of color (identified in the legend) to indicated certain features, such as green for vegetation and blue for rivers, streams and bodies of water.
Significance
- Contour lines on U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps are brown. The closer the lines are together, the steeper the slope (see Resources).
Fun Fact
- Because the contour lines on a topographic map represent a line of equal elevation, these lines will never cross.