How do i make a topographic map?

Question

My project tells me to make a topographical map that clearly defines land masses im not sure if its suppose to be 3D or 2D.

Also are there any sites that tell you how to make a topographic map or do you have any tips on how to make it?

Answer 1

What equipment/information do you have at your disposal?

If it were me, I'd download a DEM for the area from the USGS's Seamless database, display it in ArcMap, and run a quick Surface Analysis to produce the calculated topographic map (isoline intervals can be changed, add a scale, title, etc.).

If you are in a surveying course, or have been provided land height at random or systematic points, I'd interpolate a regular grid (if the information wasn't like that already), and then [by hand] draw in the topo isolines.  You should have discussed this in class, or "Hand drawn topo map" instructions hould be available in most survey textbooks or certainly online.

If you are an elementary student, and the above discussion is an incomprehensible blur, look at a map of the area, the US for example, and put more concentric circles where the mountains or valleys are.