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US Topographic Map | United States Topographic Map

US Topographic map shows the locations and forms of hills, valleys, streams, and others features as well as many man-made landmarks. They illustrate the shape and elevation of surfaces features by the use of contour lines. A type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief features using contour lines.

US Topographic Map

Topographic map | Uses:

Can be used for various emergencies

  • Emergency preparedness
  • Urban planning
  • Resource development
  • Surveying to camping
  • Surveying to canoeing
  • Surveying to adventure racing
  • Surveying to hunting, and fishing

How is a topographic map made?

U.S. Topographic maps were made using data from primary sources including direct field observations. Those US maps of Topographic were compiled, drawn, and edited clearly by hand. By today’s standard, these traditional methods are very expensive and time-consuming and the USGS has no longer fundings for this to make maps that way.

Topographic map – Characteristics & Purposes

The distinctive characteristic of a topographic map is the use of elevation contour lines to show the shape of the earth’s surface. Elevation contour lines are imaginary lines connecting points having the same elevation on the surface of the land above or below a reference surface, which usually means sea level.

US Topographic Map

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US Topographic Map with States

Topographic map of USA – Types & Features

There are three types of topographic maps:

1: Karst topography- describes the distinct landscape that is made when underlying rocks dissolve or change shape.

2: Mountain topography- shows landforms such as hills and mountains.

3: Vegetation, elevation, and Glaciers

US Topographic Map with States

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United States Topographic Map

This represents land cover imagery of the world and detailed topographic maps of the U.S. the Topographic map includes the NPS, the National earth’s physical map at 1.24 kilometers per pixel, maps for the contiguous united states at medium scales, and the national geographic topo. The TOPO! Maps are seamless scanned copies of images of United states geological survey paper topographic maps.

Topographic Map of USA

The contiguous United States, the state of Alaska, The island state of Hawaii, the five insular territories of Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana island, U.S. Virgin Islands, and minor outlying possessions. The USA shares its land borders with Canada country and Mexico and maritime borders with Russia, Cuba country, the Bahamas, and other countries. The northern border of the United States with Canada is the world’s longest binational land border.

Eastern US Topographic Map

Topographic Map of USA

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Western US Topographic Map

Topographic map| Latitudes| Longitudes: are printed at the edges of the map alignment with the “0” on the latitude line recorded in step 3 and the edge intersecting the point. North line of the USA the small quadrangle.

 

Western US Topographic Map

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Importance of topographic map : In agriculture, it determines the method of soil conservation and the flow of water. It helps in minimizing soil erosion by helping scientists in giving information on the landmass. Weather forecasting also gets benefits from it. Military uses this to gather information on the land area. They could plan their strategies with this map. Civil engineers and various government officers use it to perform their activities in an effective manner.

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