Topographic Maps
Published on LEARNZ (http://learnz.org.nz)
Listen: Listen to this page [1]
Listen to this page [2]
Topographic maps are detailed, accurate visual representations of the features that
appear on the Earth’s surface.
Topographic maps show features which are on the Earth’s surface.
Topographic Maps are helpful because they show land features and terrain.
Features
A topographic map shows the following features;
cultural - roads, buildings, urban development, railways, airports, names of
places and geographic features.
hydrography - lakes, rivers, streams, swamps and tidal flats.
relief - mountains, valleys, slopes and depressions.
vegetation - wooded and cleared areas, vineyards and orchards.
Before the features from
the Earth's curved surface can be shown on a flat map, the position of a constant
point is needed. This fixed point is called a geodetic datum [3]and for New Zealand
is based on the Earth's centre of mass.
Scale
The level of detail shown on maps depends on the scale of the map. A small scale
map shows less detail than a larger scale map.
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Topographic Maps
Published on LEARNZ (http://learnz.org.nz)
In New Zealand topographic maps [4] are made by Land Information New Zealand
(LINZ). These maps are at a scale of 1:50,000 which means one centimetre on the
map represents 50,000 centimetres, or 500 metres on the ground. These maps are
known as Topo50 maps.
LINZ also produces smaller scale maps which are useful for planning travel over
large distances, or for giving an overview of New Zealand. You can see the different
map scales in the table below.
Examples of map scales;
Scale
1:50,000
1:250,000
1:1 million
1:2 million
Ground distance of 1cm on the map
500 metres (NZ Topo50 maps)
2.5 kilometres
10 kilometres
20 kilometres
Who Uses Topo50 maps
Topo50 maps show geographic features in detail. They are useful for a wide range
of activities, such as;
local navigation by vehicle or on foot
search and rescue and emergency services
environmental studies
planning and development
outdoor activities for example tramping, climbing, hunting, caving, cycling,
orienteering.
Direction
Topographic maps include a north point in the map margin information. This shows
the direction of Grid North and Magnetic North and is used to orient the map.
Legend
The legend on a map shows the symbols used to represent features on the ground.
These features include roads, tracks, rivers, lakes, vegetation, fences, buildings,
power lines etc. Given the size of the map it is not possible to show all features on
the ground. Symbols are grouped in themes on the legend.
Contour lines
Topo50 maps show 20 metre contour lines. These lines join points of equal height
and represent the relief or height of the land. Contour lines that are close together
show steep land. Contour lines that are far apart show that the land has gentle
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Topographic Maps
Published on LEARNZ (http://learnz.org.nz)
slopes.
As well as contour lines, maps also show relief shading to help visualise the terrain.
Hills and valleys are shaded as if the sun was shining from the north-west.
Coordinates
Map coordinates [5]can be shown as:
Geographical coordinates, given as latitude [6]and longitude [7]values in
degrees, minutes and seconds e.g. Christchurch Cathedral = 43.5309° S,
172.6370° E.
Grid coordinates, given as easting and northing values, in metres for
example coordinates for the Christchurch Cathedral = 2480635,5741760.
To find out more about reading topographical maps [4] go to the 36 page LINZ
Topo50 Map guide [8] (PDF 1.5Mb).
Visit the online topographic maps at http://www.topomap.co.nz/ [9].
Access to digital map data that LINZ uses to make printed topographic maps is
available through the online LINZ data service [10] LDS.
Topographic Maps are helpful because they show land features and the shape of the
land (topography).
Features
A topographic map shows the following features;
cultural - roads, buildings, railways, airports, names of places and land
features.
hydrography - lakes, rivers, streams, swamps and tidal flats.
relief - mountains, valleys, slopes and depressions.
vegetation - wooded and cleared areas, vineyards and orchards.
Page 3 of 8
Topographic Maps
Published on LEARNZ (http://learnz.org.nz)
Scale
The level of detail shown on maps depends on the scale of the map. A small scale
map shows less detail than a larger scale map.
The most commonly used topographic map in New Zealand is the Topo50 map.
These maps are at a scale of 1:50,000 which means one centimetre on the map
equals 50,000 centimetres, or 500 metres on the ground.
Topographic maps include a north point. This shows the direction of Grid North and
Magnetic North and is used to orient the map.
Legend
The legend on a map shows the symbols used to represent features on the ground.
These features include roads, tracks, rivers, lakes, vegetation, fences, buildings,
power lines etc. Given the size of the map it is not possible to show all features on
the ground. Symbols are grouped in themes on the legend.
Contour lines
Topo50 maps show 20 metre contour lines. These lines join points of equal height
and show the shape or height of the land. Contour lines that are close together
show steep land. Contour lines that are far apart show that the land has gentle
slopes.
Map Coordinates
Map coordinates [5] can be shown as:
Geographical coordinates, given as latitude [6]and longitude [7]values in
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Topographic Maps
Published on LEARNZ (http://learnz.org.nz)
degrees, minutes and seconds.
Grid coordinates, given as easting and northing values, in metres.
To find out more about reading topographical maps go to the 36 page LINZ Topo50
Map guide [11] (PDF 1.5Mb).
Visit the online topographic maps at http://www.topomap.co.nz/ [9].
Māori keywords:
mahere
tiketike
wai
āwhata
raki
map
height or altitude
water
scale
north
Audio Maori keywords:
mahere - map [12]
tiketike - height, altitude [13]
wai - water [14]
āwhata - scale [15]
raki - north [16]
Take a look at a Topo50 map of your local area and locate where you live on the
map.
Take a look at a Topo50 map of your local area and locate where you live on the
map.
[17]
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Topographic Maps
Published on LEARNZ (http://learnz.org.nz)
This is a Topo50 map made by LINZ which shows features that appear on
the Earth's surface in a certain area. Image: LEARNZ.
[18]
All maps have a legend which shows the symbols for certain features that
are shown on the map. Image: LEARNZ.
[19]
Contour lines are shown at 20 metre intervals on Topo50 maps. Notice how
the contour lines beneath the summit of Mount Rolleston are very close
together indicating steep terrain. Image: LEARNZ.
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Topographic Maps
Published on LEARNZ (http://learnz.org.nz)
[20]
Many different people rely on topographic maps. Anyone venturing into the
outdoors needs to take a topographic map with them to ensure they know
where they are and where they are going. Image: LEARNZ.
Source URL: http://learnz.org.nz/location162/topographic-maps
Links
[1] http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/topographic-maps_0.mp3?uuid=5941
24b591009
[2] http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/topography-easy.mp3?uuid=594124
b5909dc
[3] http://www.learnz.org.nz/highcountry152/glossary#datum
[4] http://www.learnz.org.nz/highcountry152/glossary#topomap
[5] http://www.learnz.org.nz/highcountry152/glossary#coordinates
[6] http://www.learnz.org.nz/highcountry152/glossary#latitude
[7] http://www.learnz.org.nz/highcountry152/glossary#longitude
[8] http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/topo50-map-guide.pdf
[9] http://www.topomap.co.nz/
[10] https://data.linz.govt.nz/
[11] http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/topo50-map-guide_0.pdf
[12]
http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/mahere_7.mp3?uuid=594124b591174
[13]
http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/tiketike_0.mp3?uuid=594124b591287
[14] http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/wai_6.mp3?uuid=594124b591394
[15]
http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/awhata_0.mp3?uuid=594124b59149c
[16] http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/raki_0.mp3?uuid=594124b5915a4
[17] http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/b-lc162-01-topography.jpg
[18] http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/b-lc162-02-topography.jpg
[19] http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/b-lc162-03-topography.jpg
[20] http://learnz.org.nz/sites/learnz.org.nz/files/b-lc162-04-topography.jpg
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Topographic Maps
Published on LEARNZ (http://learnz.org.nz)
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