What do you need to know about a topographic map in order to read it?

Answer 1

Firstly orientate the map, know which way is up. What is the scale, how far is a mile or Km on th map ? What do you need the map to tell you ? Do you need to know where you are on the map ? What can you see on the map that you recognise ? Do you know what the symbols on the map relate to on the ground ? Is there a coastline or a railway line or a major road or a church ? It all depends on what you need from the map.... to answer your question depends on that really.

Answer 2

Looking at a topographic map with many squiggly contour lines, you may feel as if you are gazing into a bowl of spaghetti. But with practice, you can learn to read a topographic map. To read a topographic map, you must familiarize yourself with the map's scale and symbols and interpret the map's contour lines.

Topographic maps have many uses in science and engineering, business, government, and everyday life. Suppose that you are an engineer planning a route for a highway over a mountain pass. Your design for the highway needs to solve several problems. To design a safe highway, you need a route that avoids the steepest slopes. To protect the area's water supply, the highway must stay a certain distance from rivers and lakes. You also want to find a route that avoids houses and other buildings. How would you solve these problems and find the best route for the highway? You would probably begin by studying topographic maps.

Answer 3

A map which shows the shape and height of the ground. Go to maps.Google.com and click "Terrain" for an example.

Answer 4

You mist familiarize yourself with the maps scale and symbols and be able to interpret contour lines!!(: