How to Read Topographic Maps

On: 8:03 PM By: Buddhini 0 comments

Topographic maps are quite unlike the regular maps which illustrates only highways and roads. Topographic maps shows maps in a more realistic view.

Assume that you are lost in some urban area and you want to get to the right track. Yet your GPS is gone nuts and it displays none. You just need to pull your dusty map out! Reading a topographic map is not that hard as it may seem.

Here, we'll show you how you're gonna find your way.

• Getting familiar
  
  • Map's Orientation
    
    
    
    Most maps have its orientation showed by the directions. Some maps denotes the orientation by the North direction and some by the compass rose.
    But if there is no orientation mentioned, assume it is North at the top.
    
    
  • Map's scale
    
    
    
    A map scale shows the ratio between map distance and life-sized distance. As this varies from map to map, you should consider this too.
    The following scales stated can be taken into consideration.
    • 1:25,000 - for walking (large, in-detail)
    • 1:190,000 - for driving
    • 1:24,000,000 - for world traveling
    
    
  • Latitude and Longitude
    
    
    
    This is in case if you are sailing, flying or touring long distances. These are useful to locate you when there's no landmarks in your way.
    • Latitude - how far north or south you are, relative to the equator.
      
    • Longitude - how far east or west you are, relative to the Greenwich Meridian.
    • Each degree is equivalent to 60 nautical miles (1.852 km) 
  
  
  •  Features in a Topographic Map
    • Boundaries
    • Contours
    • Lakes, streams, ditches
    • Land grids
    • Vegetation
    • Toponymy (names of the above features) etc.  
    
    

• Look for the Legend
  
  
  
  This is the key to the symbols of the map itself. Examine it to get familiar with map data.
  • Vegetation - green areas
  • Water - blue areas
  • Built up sites - grey/red
  • Houses - small black squares
  • Big buildings - their actual shape
  • Roads - lines in various colors (red/yellow/black)
  • Contour lines - brown lines
  
  
• Reading Contour lines
  
  These are considered to be the greatest dignifying features of a topographic map. Contour lines are lines connecting points of equal elevation. To be more simple, if you walk through a contour line, the elevation seems to be constant.
  
  
  
  
  
  • Contour Intervals
    If your map is using 10 feet contour intervals, you'll see lines for every 10 feet (at 10, 20, 30,... so on). Different maps use different intervals. This is to keep things not complex.
    
  • Index Contour
    To make it easier for you to read, every 5th contour line is drawn bold. They are labeled with the elevation even.
  • Steep Slope
    If the contour lines are close together, that means the gradient is steep.
    
  • Flat Slope
    If the contour lines are wide in between, then the gradient is flatter.
    
    
• Hiking, Camping
  
  
  
  As being stated before, topographic maps play a major role for hikers and campers. By getting used to topographic maps will decrease the urge to get in to unexpected circumstances.
  
  
  
  • Planning
    
    
    
    It's always safer to plan your hike in advance. Once you have chosen the location, buy yourself a topographic map or download one through internet. Keep an eye on the scale and calculate the distance you are up to hike. This way you can predict how much supplies you will need in your backpack.
    
    
  • Help of Contour Lines
    
    
    
    If contour lines are close together, you'll have a steep climb ahead of you. On the contrary, if lines are far apart, elevation becomes flatter. The peak of your hike will be denoted by a circle in the center of the contour lines.
    
    
  • Water and Shelter
    
    
    
    Your map will guide you in order to find water as well as how to stay around the timberline for the need of shade.