Unit 2 - Topographic Mapping Vocabulary

Steep slope

• A slope that rises or falls sharply.

• A gentle incline that is easy to walk on.

• A flat surface with no elevation change.

• A slope that gradually increases in height.

Relief

• The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area.

• The flatness of a geographical region.

• The amount of rainfall in a specific area.

• The temperature variation in a given location.

Topographic map

• A type of map that shows political boundaries and cities.

• A type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief, usually using contour lines.

• A type of map that focuses on climate zones and weather patterns.

• A type of map that represents transportation networks and infrastructure.

Cardinal directions

• North, South, East, and West

• Up, Down, Left, and Right

• Forward, Backward, Left, and Right

• North-East, South-West, North-West, and South-East

Gradual slope

• A slope that rises or falls slowly.

• A steep incline that is difficult to climb.

• A flat surface with no elevation change.

• A slope that rises sharply in a short distance.

Index contour

• A contour line that is accentuated in thickness and is often labeled with the elevation it represents.

• A contour line that represents the lowest point in a given area.

• A contour line that connects points of equal temperature.

• A contour line that indicates the direction of water flow.

Contour interval

• The difference in elevation between two consecutive contour lines on a map.

• The total elevation change from the highest to the lowest point on a map.

• The distance between two points on a map measured in kilometers.

• The angle of slope between two contour lines on a map.

Elevation

• The height above a given level, especially sea level.

• The distance below sea level.

• The measurement of temperature at a given height.

• The angle of a slope or incline.