topographical maps
Elevation-showing charts
Topographical maps show the physical features of terrain—hills, valleys, rivers, forests—using contour lines to represent elevation changes.
Lines close together indicate steep slopes; lines far apart show gentle grades.
Hikers, surveyors, and military planners rely on them to understand landscape before seeing it: We studied the topographical map to find the easiest route through the mountains.
Measure of relative size
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- north arrowMap's directional reference
map symbols · UTM · latitude · longitude · declination · graticule · inset map · quadrangle
Lines joining equal elevations
Recreational trail walking
- backpackingSelf-supported wilderness travel
- trailheadHiking path entrance
- trail markersNavigation aids on paths
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
backcountry · scramble · switchback · campsite · water source · distance · elevation gain · trip planning
Low ground between heights
- ridgeNarrow raised strip
- peakUtmost height attained
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- plateauFlat highland area
canyon · escarpment · basin · knoll · mesa · butte · saddle · col
Competitive terrain navigation sport
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
- waypointNavigation reference location
- route planningDetermining travel paths
- dead reckoningPosition-tracking via estimated motion
bearing · handrail · map reading · folding · waterproofing · baseplate · resection · triangulation
Precision angle-measuring instrument
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- datumSingle unit of information
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- triangulationLocation via three points
leveling · coordinates · azimuth · land surveyor · control point · traverse · photogrammetry · LIDAR
scale
Measure of relative size
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- gridFramework of intersecting lines
- projectionSomething that extends outward
north arrow · map symbols · UTM · latitude · longitude · declination · graticule · inset map · quadrangle · USGS
contour lines
Lines joining equal elevations
hiking
Recreational trail walking
- backpackingSelf-supported wilderness travel
- trailheadHiking path entrance
- trail markersNavigation aids on paths
wilderness · backcountry · scramble · switchback · campsite · water source · distance · elevation gain · trip planning · guidebook
valley
Low ground between heights
plateau · canyon · escarpment · basin · knoll · mesa · butte · saddle · col · spur
orienteering
Competitive terrain navigation sport
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
- waypointNavigation reference location
- route planningDetermining travel paths
dead reckoning · bearing · handrail · map reading · folding · waterproofing · baseplate · resection · triangulation
theodolite
Precision angle-measuring instrument
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- datumSingle unit of information
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
triangulation · leveling · coordinates · azimuth · land surveyor · control point · traverse · photogrammetry · LIDAR · aerial survey
- mapsroad map, world map, atlases, street map, regional map
- Atlas Mapspolitical maps, physical maps, regional maps, state maps, city maps
- British mapsroad atlas, street atlas, British Isles, atlases, printed maps
- Exploration Mapsnavigation charts, navigational maps, sea routes, river maps, survey maps
- historic mapsatlases, county maps, road atlases, portolan charts, world maps
- old mapsancient maps, vintage maps, atlas, portolan charts, printed maps
geography, topography, cartographer, cartography, topographic, topographical, topographer, topographically