Contour lines are small brown lines that show areas of equal elevation (height of the land above see level)
Shows topography of an area. shows the shape of land, buildings, roads, and features on the land
Map Skills
Contour Lines
1. Every point of a contour line has the same as elevation
2. Contour lines separate uphill from downhill
3. Contour lines close to form circles (or go off the map) and the inside of the circle is the top of a hill.
4. Contours are close together in steep terrain, and far apart in flat areas.
5. Contour lines create a "V" pattern when they cross a stream valley. The tip of the "V" points uphill.
6. Contour lines on opposite sides of a valley or ridge always occur in pairs.
7. Contour lines do not touch each other or cross each other (Except at a vertical wall or cave)
8. Closed depressions have hachure marks on the downhill side.
change in elevation from 1 line to next is called contour intervals
hill shown when lines form circle, or enclosed shape
gradual slope shown when contour lines are far apart
steep slopes are shown when contour lines are close together
Shows elevation
Relief Profiles
Latitude & Longitude
longitude
vertical/North-South direction
All connect to North pole and South pole
middle is prime Meridian
latitude
horizontal/ East-West direction
middle is equator
Topographic Maps
Topographic Map
Military Grid
Steps to using a military grid
1. Find the last easting before the point and write it down
2. Break up the distance between eastings into 10 decimals with you're eye or roamer
3. Calculate the exact location
4. Find the last northing before the point and write it down
5. Break up the distance between Northings into 10 decimals with your eye or a roamer
6. Calculate the exact location
7. Write the easting and northing exact numbers straight in a row and that is your answer
Rules
4. Think decimals, but don't write them
3. Read the Northings second
2. Read the Eastings first
1. The answer is always a 4 or 6 digit #
Northings & Eastings
4 Figure Grid Reference
Less exact. wide area
6 Figure Grid References
Exact coordinates
Direction
Compass with Bearings In degrees
bearings
The bearings are counted in degrees
Compass points
N, E, S, W = Cardinal points
NE, SE, SW, NW = Ordinal points
NNE, ENE, ESE, SSE, SSW, WSW, WNW, NNW = Half-winds
Scale
Representative Fraction Scale (Ratio)
Shows units on map in relation to units on earth using ratios
Example: 1 : 500 000
Linear Scale
Special kind of ruler that is decided into units of distance
Example:
Direct Statement Scale
words describe relationships between distance on map and distance on the earths surface
Example: 1 cm = 100 km
