contour map
Terrain elevation diagram
A contour map shows elevation through lines connecting points of equal height above sea level.
The closer together the contour lines, the steeper the terrain.
Hikers use contour maps to gauge difficulty; geologists use them to read landforms.
The technique extends to any variable mapped across a surface: temperature, pressure, population density.
Land's physical features
- valleyLow ground between heights
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- peakUtmost height attained
plateau · canyon · ravine · gully · spur · knoll · saddle · col
Measured height above reference
- heightVertical extent upward
- intervalDuration between two points
- gradientRate of change across space
- slopeAngled terrain or steepness
ascent · descent · peaks · valleys · ridges · summits · plateaus · depression
Concerning surface feature arrangement
- isolineLine joining equal points
- scaleMeasure of relative size
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- projectionSomething that extends outward
geodetic · surveying · GIS · shading · USGS · quadrangle · symbology · interpolation
Navigating through physical spaces
- route planningDetermining travel paths
- trailPath through wilderness
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
orienting · landmark · pathfinding · backcountry · hiking · trekking · exploration · bearing
terrain
Land's physical features
peak · plateau · canyon · ravine · gully · spur · knoll · saddle · col · watershed
altitude
Measured height above reference
slope · ascent · descent · peaks · valleys · ridges · summits · plateaus · depression · escarpment
topographic
Concerning surface feature arrangement
projection · geodetic · surveying · GIS · shading · USGS · quadrangle · symbology · interpolation · digitizing
wayfinding
Navigating through physical spaces
- route planningDetermining travel paths
- trailPath through wilderness
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
GPS · orienting · landmark · pathfinding · backcountry · hiking · trekking · exploration · bearing · triangulation
- visual diagramschart, diagram, graph, blueprint, flowchart
- mapping toolscompass rose, scale bar, graticule, coordinate grid, coordinates
- math graphicsgraph, plot, chart, diagram, bar graph
- scientific mapstide chart, star chart
- Topographyterrain maps, elevation gain, topo maps, elevation, terrain
- soil sciencesoil, topsoil, subsoil, clay, sand
contour maproad atlas
Bound collection of maps
street map · road map · political map · city map · subway map