Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program Topographic Maps 101 The Basics Topographic Map Symbols
In cartography, symbols are everything. The very nature of a map as
an abstracted representation of the Earth requires symbols to perform the
abstraction. To not have symbols is to not have maps.
When we first think of symbols, we tend to think of graphics representing elements that appear at points, like bridges and houses. Symbols can also be linear, representing such features as roads, railways and rivers. However, we also need to include representations of area, in the case of forested land or cleared land; this is done through the use of color.
The set of symbols and their appropriate use on Topographic maps is described by a specific set of rules: Standards and Specifications for Polychrome Maps. This guide ensures uniform depiction of land features on both 1/50 000 and 1/250 000 maps. However, like other forms of information, maps invariably undergo change. However, please keep in mind that the best way to use maps is to refer to the symbols printed on the topographic symbols sheet.
Because there are only a handful of colors to use and a lot of ground
features to be shown on topographic maps, the design of every symbol needs
to be very carefully thought through. The list of symbols used on
topographic maps is very long. The most common symbols are shown and
defined on the following pages:
Transportation Features
Railroads and Related Features
Hydrographic Features
Glaciers and Permanent Snowfields
Terrain Features
Elevation
(contours, spot heights, etc.)
Human Activities
Buildings and Related Features
Transmission Lines and Pipelines
Some categories of symbols on maps include many different features. To let
map users learn more about features in those categories,
labels are used. A good
example of how labels are helpful is with large buildings: a label will
indicate which building is a hospital and which is a skating rink.
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