What is a contour map? How is it helpful?

Question

For my honors geography class, I have to define what a contour map, and I've looked all over my book and haven't found it. Can somebody help me?

Answer 1

Most everyday use of the term is in cartography. A contour map (topographic map) uses contour lines (often just called a "contour") to join points of equal elevation (height) and thus show valleys and hills, and the steepness of slopes.

Answer 2

A contour map will show the contours, or curves of the ground--i.e. elevation lines.  They are helpful in letting you know you're on the right route.  After figuring out your azimuth to get from point a to point b it's reassuring to know the maps says you're supposed to be walking up a hill and you actually are.  You're in trouble if you look around and there's a ravine you have to cross but it's not where you thought you should be on the map.

For pilots it lets them know just how high the ground is going to be so they can fly over and not into it.  Same for boat pilots and the bottom of the body of water they're on.

Answer 3

The distinctive characteristic of a topographic map is that the shape of the Earth's surface is shown by contour lines. Contours are imaginary lines that join points of equal elevation on the surface of the land above or below a reference surface such as mean sea level. Contours make it possible to measure the height of mountains, depths of the ocean bottom, and steepness of slopes.

A topographic map shows more than contours. The map includes symbols that represent such features as streets, buildings, streams, and woods.

Answer 4

A contour map has lines that show elevation. Any point on any line is at the same elevation. Let's say you have a map that includes a coastline and the lines are at 200 foot intervals. There would be lines at 200, 400, 600, 800, etc feet. You can see hills (the lines form circles), whether a slope is gradual or steep (where it's steep the lines are close together), and other features. Once you're used to one, it almost makes the map look 3-D.