Chapter 2 Working with topographic maps - PEGSnet

Chapter 2: Working with topographic maps 

Chapter 2 contents 

CD 2.1 

CD 2.2 

CD 2.3 

CD 2. 4 

CD 2.5 

CD 2.6 

CD 2.7 

CD 2.8 

CD 2.9 

CD 2.10 

CD 2.11 

CD 2.12 

CD 2.13 

Layers of a topographic map 

Generating simple topographic maps from the Internet 

Recognising landforms using contour lines 

Examine the topography using a flight simulator 

Understanding the process of constructing topographic maps 

Working out area on a topographic map 

Visualising the topography by making a model 

Interpreting intervisibility 

Estimating or calculating area 

Understanding north points on a topographic map 

Coffs Harbour extended questions 

Investigating how Coffs Harbour has changed over time 

Continuing your walking trip at Mt Bogong 

Keys to Geography CD-ROM. Photocopying permitted within purchasing institution. 

Copyright © Australian Geography Teachers’ Association 2004. Published by Macmillan Education Australia.


CD 2.1 

Layers of a topographic map 

Activity 

Cartographers plot a number of layers of different physical features to construct a topographic 

map. Use the labels below to complete this table: 

A blue shadings, lines and symbols 

B usually black and red to pink shadings, lines and symbols 

C green shadings 

D brown or red contour lines, brown shadings and black spot points. 

Land surface 

(topography) 

Water 

Vegetation 

Human 

Included on the map 

Places of equal height joined by 

contour lines. Other surface features 

such as sand and cliffs. Spot heights. 

Water on land (for example, rivers, 

lakes, swamps) and off-shore 

(for example, sea depth). 

Natural vegetation (for example, 

rainforest, woodland) and vegetation 

planted by humans (for example, 

pine plantation, orchard). 

Transport linkages, settlement patterns, 

land use (for example, roads, towns, 

quarries, mines). 

Indicated on the map by 




CD 2.2 

Generating simple topographic maps from the 

Internet 

LINK 

Activity 

Detailed topographic maps of different regions of the world can be found at http://www.expedia.com. 

To learn how to create or customise simple topographic maps, go to the website and do the 

following steps: 

1 Select the Maps tab on the upper horizontal menu, then select ‘Find a Map’. 

2 In the field, search for a place; select ‘World (topographic maps)’. 

3 Enter place of interest, e.g. Grampians National Park. 

4 Print your topographic map. 




CD 2.3 

Recognising landforms using contour lines 

Activity 

Match each of the following landform names to the correct contour map: 

A cliff 

B ridge 

C river valley 

D round hill 

E saddle 

F spur. 

Click on the link to see the answers. 

ANSWERS 




CD 2.4 

Examine the topography using a flight simulator 

Click on the clip of the flight simulator, which uses aerial photography to give you a view of the 

Adelaide Hills travelling towards Adelaide. In this clip, contour lines have been overlaid onto the 

image. Start the clip using the play button at the bottom left of the screen. 

FLIGHT SIMULATOR 

1 Describe the landscape that you travel over. 

2 Return the clip to the beginning and examine this still image. Would you describe 

Woodforde as: 

a a round hill 

a a valley 

c a ridge 

d a spur 

e a plateau 

Hint: you can check these landforms using figure [2.4] on page 40 of Keys to 

Geography. 

3 Replay the flight simulator and stop at 24 seconds. What feature is in the centre of the 

aerial photograph Is this area forested 

4 Based on the landscape in this clip, would you agree with this statement: ‘More land has 

been cleared for agriculture and settlement on less steep slopes’ 




CD 2.5 

Understanding the process of constructing 

topographic maps 

LINK 

http://www.topoimagery.com/makingkonza.html 

Activity 

1 Read the article at the link above and list any unfamiliar words. Share the words with 

the class. Use a dictionary of geography to develop a glossary of these words. 

2 List the process of map development using dot points or a flow diagram. 

3 Discuss a statement made by the map-maker (Doug Armknech), that ‘a good map is 

equal parts cartographic accuracy and artistry’. 




CD 2.6 

Working out area on a topographic map 

There are two main ways to work out area on a topographic map. 

Estimating area 

The area of a map feature can be calculated by counting every grid square that is covered by the 

feature, then adding any squares that are more than half covered. This ignores any squares that 

are less than half covered, but this underestimate is balanced by the overestimate from counting 

the squares that are more than half covered, giving a fairly accurate result. 

Then examine the scale of the map and calculate the area covered by each grid square. The 

answer should be stated as square metres or square kilometres (m 2 or km 2 ). 

Calculating area 

When calculating areas you need to be able to identify regular shapes such as a square, rectangle, 

triangle or circle and then apply the correct formula for the area of the shape: 

● area of a square or rectangle = length x breadth 

● 

area of a triangle = 1_ 2 base x height 

● area of a circle = π x radius squared (πr 2 ) 

Activity 

1 Estimate the area of Lake Bonney in figure 2.17, pages 46–47 of the textbook. 




2 Estimate the area of Kangaroo Island in the map below. 

3 Calculate the area of Kangaroo Island by smoothing out the island into a series of 

geometric shapes and calculating the area of each shape. 




CD 2.7 

Visualising the topography by making a model 

Activity 

One way to create a view of the earth is to make a model. Follow these steps to make a model of 

Uluru. 

1 Obtain a topographic map of the area or use the contour diagram of Uluru below. 

2 Place a pin hole in the centre of the area you wish to construct. 

3 Trace equally spaced contours. You don’t need to trace every contour line, but the lines 

you trace should be equally spaced, e.g. every 100 metres. 

4 Ensure that you mark the pin hole in each layer of the tracings. 

5 Use your tracing to cut each layer out in a separate sheet of thick cardboard or 

polystyrene, and be sure to mark the pin hole in each layer. 

6 Assemble the layers in order, matching the pin holes. 

7 You can use modelling clay to smooth out the ‘steps’ if you wish. 

8 Label the model, and include a scale and a north point. 




CD 2.8 

Interpreting intervisibility 

LINK 

http://www.learn.co.za/content/grade10/Geography/Mapwork/Cross/Unit1/ 

10geoT1L4_2.htm 

Activity 

Complete the cross-section activity to investigate intervisibility. 




CD 2.9 

Estimating or calculating area 

There are two main ways to work out area on a map. 

Estimating area 

The area of a map feature can be calculated by counting every grid square that is covered by the 

feature, then adding any squares that are more than half covered. This ignores any squares that 

are less than half covered, but this underestimate is balanced by the overestimate from counting 

the squares that are more than half covered, giving a fairly accurate result. 

Then examine the scale of the map and calculate the area covered by each grid square. The 

answer should be stated as square metres or square kilometres (m 2 or km 2 ). 

Calculating area 

When calculating areas you need to be able to identify regular shapes such as a square, rectangle, 

triangle or circle and then apply the correct formula for the area of the shape: 

● area of a square or rectangle = length x breadth 

● 

area of a triangle = 1_ 2 base x height 

● area of a circle = π x radius squared (πr 2 ) 




CD 2.10 

Understanding north points on a topographic map 

Topographic maps usually have three north points: 

● 

● 

● 

true north — This is the true direction of the north pole. Meridians of longitude meet at 

the north pole. 

grid north — This is the direction in which the north–south grid lines are drawn on the 

topographic map. They do not form a true north–south position. Grid lines are parallel 

to each other. Grid north is used to read direction, because bearings are plotted from grid 

north. The difference between true north and grid north is called the grid convergence. 

magnetic north — This is the direction in which the north point of a compass needle 

points. It points to the magnetic north pole. (The south point of the needle points to the 

magnetic south pole.) The positions of the magnetic poles change slightly over time. 

The direction of magnetic north varies from place to place on the earth, so always check 

the direction indicator on the topographic map for the area you are working on. The 

difference between magnetic north and grid north is known as the grid–magnetic angle. 




CD 2.11 

Coffs Harbour extended questions 

Activity 

Complete the following extended questions on Coffs Harbour. (Refer to page 48 of the textbook 

and the link below.) 

9 The release of this film is likely to stimulate a massive interest in Coffs Harbour. Its 

population is currently around 63 000 and is growing by 1–2% per year. A significant 

increase in population over the next 10 years is predicted after the film’s release. Among 

other stresses this will place on the small city is additional sewage treatment, which is 

a significant environmental concern. Some of the questions you need to explore will 

help your understanding of the human impact on the environment of Coffs Harbour. 

a Outline four environmental concerns for Coffs Harbour in relation to its sewage 

disposal. 

b What is ‘reclaimed water’ Discuss how Coffs Harbour plans to manage this. Is this 

treatment of water widely used 

c Explore treatment plants in your state that use this practice. 

d Give three examples of how Coffs Harbour will benefit from this strategy. Use the 

website below and others to help answer your questions. 

LINK 

http://www.chcc.nsw.gov.au 




CD 2.12 

Investigating how Coffs Harbour has changed 

over time 

LINK 

Activity 

Use the hyperlink to go to the website http://www.lpi.nsw.gov.au/airview/. Click on Coffs Harbour 

on the map, and it will be outlined by a square. Then click on the ‘Display Photo’ tab on the top 

of this map, and it will bring up an image of the area within the square. 

Compare the vertical aerial photograph with the topographic map of Coffs Harbour. 

1 On what date was each view made 

2 What is the scale of each view 

3 List the major changes in Coffs Harbour in this period. You might like to use the 

following categories to structure your answer: 

● transport infrastructure 

● water features 

● settlement 

● vegetation 

● other. 

4 How has the use of a topographic map and an aerial photograph assisted you in 

developing an understanding of Coffs Harbour 

5 Predict changes that might occur in the next five years in Coffs Harbour. Share your 

answers with the class. 

6 What are the implications of your predicted changes 




CD 2.13 

Continuing your walking trip at Mt Bogong 

Day 3 

11 After walking from campsite 2 (GR 247304) the group will be picked up at GR 267275. 

a Identify this location. 

b You look at the map before you go to check the gradient of the day’s walk. Describe 

the slope of the walk. 

12 The group arrives at the finish, tired and delighted. The sick member is well and has 

returned to greet you. Describe the length of the hike on day 3 as well as the general 

direction you came from. 

13 You are standing at the finish point waiting for the bus and admiring the view of Cairn 

Creek to the north. In which direction is the water flowing How do you know this

Chapter 2 Working with topographic maps - PEGSnet

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