Basics of Mapping

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Basics of Mapping

• http//olc.spsd.sk.ca/DE/k9mod/Mapskill/mod3fl5.sw
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What is Topography?

• Topography is the configuration of the land
  surface, and it is shown on topographic maps with
  contour lines.

Map of Valleys
Map of Hills
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• Topographic maps are useful because they
  represent the three-dimensional image of the land
  by using lines and symbols.

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• Topographic maps are useful tools for planning
  highways, recreation areas, airports, housing
  developments, etc.
• For you, topographic maps may be useful for
  recreational activities such as hiking, boating,
  camping, fishing or hunting.

How could you use a topographic map when
camping?
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What are contour lines?

• A contour line is an imaginary line on the
  surface of the Earth connecting points of equal
  elevation.
• If you walk along a contour line you neither gain
  or lose elevation.  

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Contour Line Rules

• Each contour line represents one elevation.
• Contour lines never cross!
• The change in elevation from one contour line to
  the next is the contour interval.
• Typical contour intervals are 10, 20, 50, and 100
  feet.
• The contour interval is generally given in the
  legend of the map.

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• Every fifth contour is printed darker.
• These lines are called index contours.
• On the map below, the 100 m contour line is the
  index contour.

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What is the contour interval?
Which lines are index contours?
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List the elevation for A ___ B ___ C ___
D____
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A series of contour lines in a rough circle
represents a hill.
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• Closely spaced contour lines represent steep
  slopes.
• Widely spaced contour lines represent gentle
  slopes.

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List the elevations for A ____ B ____
C ____ D ____ E ___
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Streams and rivers flow downhill (from higher
elevations to lower elevations).
Where a contour line crosses a stream or river
(or even a dry gully or valley), the contour
lines are bent sharply, forming a "V".

• The point of the "V" points uphill or upstream.
  (Look at map and think about this for a minute.)

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• Closed depressions are indicated by contour lines
  that form roughly a circle, with short "tick
  marks" or "hachure marks" perpendicular to them
  on the downhill side.

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Common Features