Like Normal Reference Maps, Topographic Maps are a abstract of the panorama and present essential bodily (pure and man-made) options in an space. The first distinction is that they present elevation intimately.
Traits of topographic maps embrace:
they present elevation utilizing contour strains. Put merely, a contour line is a line which joins factors of equal elevation above sea degree they’ve an emphasis on displaying human settlement (roads, cities, buildings and many others), however might embrace some thematic info equivalent to vegetation or the boundaries of nationwide parks they’re usually produced by authorities companies – these are sometimes specialist mapping companies and will have both a civilian or defence function they’ve nicely outlined requirements (referred to as Specs) that are strictly adhered to – these fluctuate between mapping companies and the size of the map they’ve excellent location reference programs – together with latitude and longitude, however may additionally have grid strains typically have extra info equivalent to an arrow pointing to Magnetic North in addition to True North.
As there’s an exceptionally great amount of details about Topographic Maps obtainable on-line (extra so than some other type of mapping) we will give a quite simple overview of it. See Additional Studying under.
Topographic maps are often a part of a collection of maps, however could also be one–off / stand–alone maps.
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Topographic Map
This extract from a 1:50,000 scale map has been annotated in pink to spotlight completely different panorama options which could be recognized utilizing the contour strains. This map had a contour interval of 20 metres.
Elevation is often proven utilizing contour strains. In simplistic phrases a contour line is a line which joins factors of equal elevation. The place these strains are above sea degree they’re merely referred to as contour strains and the place they’re under sea degree they’re referred to as bathymetric contour strains.
Contour strains can inform an knowledgeable reader many issues in regards to the form of the land and its ruggedness. The nearer contours are collectively the steeper the land and the additional they’re away from one another the flatter the land. On the Nullarbor Plain, as an example, only a few contour strains can be proven, however over the Snowy Mountains an infinite variety of contour strains can be proven.
A phrase of warning: topographic maps don’t present each contour line, reasonably they select pattern of the strains. For instance each 20, 50, 200 metres – relying on the size of the map. That is referred to as the contour interval of the map. On account of this choice course of, the distinction in density of the contour strains is simply indicating relative adjustments within the form of the panorama – on that map!
The studying of topographic maps and interpretation of contour strains, is a a lot written about subject. Please consult with the Additional Studying hyperlinks to be taught extra about contours and understanding what they imply.
Topographic Maps as a Abstract of the Panorama – an instance
This topographic map and are of the identical space – the Manly area inside Sydney, NSW. By evaluating these two it’s clear that the map is a wonderful abstract of the panorama of the realm. Be aware that the options which dominate the additionally dominate the map. And, as a result of it’s a topographic map, it additionally offers detailed details about the ‘bumpiness’ of the land.
The Worldwide Map of the World and its Numbering System
In 1891 the Fifth Worldwide Geographical Congress agreed on the event of a world-wide, 1:1,000,000 (or 1:1 million) scale collection of maps. This was to be referred to as the Worldwide Map of the World (or IMW for brief). The maps had been to be produced utilizing an internationally agreed, constant specification.
For a number of causes the event of the IMW maps was gradual – causes included two World Wars, the Nice Melancholy and lack of funding in poorer international locations. Worldwide curiosity waned and by the 1980s solely 800-1000 of the proposed 2500 maps had been accomplished. The mission was deserted by the mid-1980s. The Australian element of the IMW was 49 maps. Work on these started in 1926 and was accomplished in 1978.
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Numbering Different Scale Topographic Maps
Related rules of a novel numbering system which had been developed for the 1:250,000 scale collection topographic maps had been additionally developed for the 1:100,000, 1:50:000, 1:25,000 scale collection topographic maps.
The 1:100,000 scale topographic maps had been nested inside the IMW system. There are six 1:100,000 scale maps contained inside a 1:250,000 scale map.
On this case the system concerned:
- utilizing a two digit quantity which is sequentially given to every 1:100,000 scale map West-to-East
- utilizing a two digit quantity which is sequentially given to every 1:100,000 scale map South-to-North
This leads to a novel Four-digit quantity for each 1:100,000 map inside the system.
As with the 1:250,000 scale maps having a quantity based mostly on the variety of IMW zone they’re in; so to do the 1:50:000 and 1:25,000 maps. They’ve a sequential quantity added to the variety of the 1:100,000 map they happen in.
Be aware. This technique is used for Sequence Topographic Maps by Australian authorities mapping companies. Nevertheless, the previous saying of “at all times count on the surprising” applies. Some companies use programs that are based mostly on the IMW grid, however they could be barely completely different.
Additionally, this common grid system creates plenty of maps which cowl small quantities of land and enormous quantities of landless ocean. Many mapping companies ‘transfer’ the map boundaries to maximise the quantity of land which is proven.
Beneath are two indexes for mapping over north-western Australia. The highest one is the the Worldwide Map of the World (IMW) topographic maps. The underside one is for the World Aeronautical Charts (WAC) map collection. Be aware how the WAC charts have been adjusted to maximise the quantity of land they cowl.