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Connecticut Water Trails
Program
Topographic Maps 101
The Basics
Topographic Maps
Introduction
A
topographic map is a reduced representation of a portion of the earth’s
surface. The word topographic
comes from the greek -topos-
meaning place and
graphia-
to draw / write.
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How Does A Topograhic Map Differ From A Road Map?
A
topographic map shows more detail as to the physical make-up of
the land. A topographic map does this by showing us the " lay of
the land " through the use of contours.
Once you
understand their language, maps speak volumes.
They show what can't be seen,
identify what you can see,
help plan your route,
pick a campsite,
lead you to areas of potential beauty,
and, by
providing directions and distances to known landmarks,
pinpoint your position.
Maps
have been called truth compressed into symbols
The Lie Of The Land
No map can be taken at face value.
Do maps lie ? Not really- but trails and roads can change
between map updates. No map is absolutely accurate.
They can't show every barn, chicken coop, or rock outcrop.
Nor can they tell you what a swamp, meadow, or woods will be
like, or how the land changes.
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What Does A Topographic Map Tell You ?
A
topographic map tells you five important things known as the
five "D's ".
What are
these five D's?
A.
Description
B.
Details
C.
Directions
D.
Distances
E.
Designations
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Topographic Map Symbols
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