People have been using topographical maps to accurately navigate the earth’s terrain for many decades now. Topographical maps are especially useful off-roads, as they provide 3D map data using special symbols that indicate surface elevation.

Topographic mapping in the United States began in 1879, when the U.S. Geological Survey sanctioned the first full topographic mapping of the entire continental United States. The most common scale used for these USGS maps was 1:24,000. USGS maps are still used today, though new satellite and computer technology has allowed for more accurate, digital maps that can be used via GPS or other computer handheld devices.

How to Read Topographic Maps

As mentioned, the most common scale of topographic maps is 1:24,000. This means that every inch on the map, stands for 24,000 actual inches of terrain. Latitude and longitude lines are the same in topographic maps as in other maps. There is also a legend on topographic maps that illustrates how to read the symbols used. All of this information can usually be found in the lower right corner of most maps. Symbols specific to topographic maps include the following.

Contour Lines
Contour lines are the most easily recognizable features of topographic maps. They are shown in brown, usually, and they connect points in the terrain that have the same elevation. Contour lines appear at set intervals, as dictated by the contour line interval rate shown, usually, under the scale. If the contour interval is 20 meters, for example, it means that each new contour line signifies a chance in elevation of 20 meters. Contour lines that are far apart signal flatter ground and contour lines close together signal steep ground.

Other Features
Forests on topographic maps are symbolized by shaded areas of green. Great digital maps tend to have more up-to-date info on the location and parameters of forests and woodland areas. Bodies of water, as with most maps, are shown in topographic maps in blue. Man made landmarks, like roads and railways are shown in red and black lines of different designs. State, county and municipal boundaries employ black and red lines as well,  but they are usually dotted or broken to avoid confusion.

Watch the video related to digital maps

The Library of Congress has been preparing for the digital age since the 1960s, when it used early technology to create and share its bibliographic information in electronic form. In the 1990s the library started distributing digitized versions of its treasures to schools and libraries across the US Now, there are millions of digitized contents available on the Library’s web site for users across the world. VOA’s Mohamed Elshinnawi has more

Help answer the question about digital maps

Hello! I am looking for some sort of digital map to track places I have visited. Any suggestions?
Maybe an interactive map or a digital computer map? Thank you!

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Ryan Frank is a 23 year writer and blogger living in San Diego, CA.