1. Chapter 2 Section 4: Topographic Maps
Key Terms:
Topographic map
Contour line
Contour interval
Index contour
Key Concepts:
How do mapmakers represent elevation, relief, and slope?
How do you read a topographic map?
What are some uses of topographic maps?

2. Mapping Earth’s Topography
A topographic map shows the surface features of an area.
Mapmakers use contour lines to represent elevation, relief, and slope on topographic maps.
A contour line connects points of equal elevation.
The contour interval is the change in elevation from contour line to contour line.
Index contours are every 5th contour line.

3. Reading a topographic map
Familiarize yourselves with the map’s scale and symbols and the contour lines!
Scale: topographic maps are usually large- scale maps. Large-scale maps show a close- up view of part of Earth’s surface.
Symbols: mapmakers use a variety of symbols.
Interpreting contour lines: The first step toward “seeing” an area’s topography.

4. Practice
Page 57 in your book, analyzing data.