Topographic Maps

Question 1

What are ratio scales often called

Answer 1

Representative fractions

Question 2

What is an RF

Answer 2

It is the ratio of distance on a map to distance on the ground

Question 3

How do you use line scale to measure the distance between two points on a mp

Answer 3

1. Put a piece of paper on the map and make a mark on the paper at each map point
2. Place the paper on the maps line scale so that the right hand mark is on a whole kilometer and the left hand mark is in the divided section where one km has been divided into ten 100 m sections
3. Read off the distance by adding the number of whole kilometers to the number of tenths of kilometer

Question 4

State what each color is represented for on natural features on topographic maps
1. Brown
2. Blue
3. Green

Answer 4

Brown- Used for contour lines, rocky outcrops, sand, erosion, and secondary roads
Blue- Used to show water features
Green- Used to show natural features of vegetation such as woodland

Question 5

State what each color represents for constructed features on topographic maps
1. Red
2. Green

Answer 5

1. Red - Used to show certain types of roads
2. Green - Used to show agricultural features of vegetation, such as cultivated land

Question 6

What do height clues on topographic maps look like

Answer 6

Heights on topographic maps are shown by contours, trigonometrical stations, spot heights, and benchmarks.
Other clues can give an indication of higher and lower ground:
• The contours of a valley point upstream and the contours of a spur point downhill
• The space between a river and its tributary points downstream
• A dam wall is always on the upstream side, and the water in a dam point upstream