The following maps also show the topography or elevation layout of the land by using symbols.

These maps are called topographic maps.  Topographic  maps use contour lines to show elevation and terrain in a flat perspective.  Each contour line connects points of the same or equal elevation on the land surface.  The distance (amount of feet) between the contour lines is called the contour interval.

Besides color, how do these two topographic maps look different?

[The map on the left has a contour interval of 40 feet.  The map on the right has a contour interval of 20 feet, so there are twice as many contour lines as the map on the left.]

Take a closer look at the above maps.  What other observations do you notice?

• The closer the contour lines are together the steeper the terrain.  If the lines are far apart, the land is flatter.
• Contour lines forming a series of circles indicate a mountain or high point like a hill.  The peak or top of the hill is represented by the inner most, smallest circle.  (The circles are hard to see on this scale of map.)

One more pondering: if you were walking parallel with a contour line, would you be walking uphill, downhill, or level?

[If you walk along a contour line, you are walking level or with the contour of the land.  However, if you walk perpendicular to (cross over) the contour lines, you will either be walking uphill or downhill.]