What does a topographic map represent?

A topographic map specializes in illustrating the physical features of a landscape, providing detailed information about elevation changes and various landforms. These maps use contour lines to represent different elevations, allowing users to visualize the terrain's shape, including mountains, valleys, and plateaus. The close spacing of contour lines indicates steep slopes, while wider spacing suggests gentler gradients.

This type of map is particularly useful for activities such as hiking, land development, and environmental management, as it gives an accurate representation of how the land is structured. The focus on physical geography distinguishes topographic maps from others, such as thematic maps that might depict cultural features, economic activities, or demographic information, which do not emphasize the physical characteristics of the terrain itself.