INTERPRETATION OF PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL FEATURES ON A MAP

CONTENT

1. Interpretation of Physical Features
2. Various Methods of Representing Relief on a Map
3. Contour Representation of Land Forms
4. Identification of Features of Maps
5. Interpretation of Cultural Features
6. Interpretation of Topographical Maps

Interpretation of Physical Features

Various Methods of Representing Relief on a Map

The term relief simply means the elevation of land areas or the height of an area above sea level. The various ways of relief representation on maps are discussed below:

1. Contours

These are lines drawn to join places of equal height, level or altitude.

Contour Lines

2. Contour Interval

This is the difference between the height of a contour line and the other. Contour lines are always numbered in meters e.g. 100m, 200m etc.

3. Form Contour

These are broken lines used to represent elevation of a piece of land.

Form Contour

4. Hill Shading

This is a method of shading the height of a place with a single colour.