All about topographic maps

The word “map” originates from Greek word "chartes", which denotes a list of papyrus for writing letters.

A map is rather effective tool to store and transmit spatial information. Topographic maps make it possible to view simultaneous locality coverage in any scale – from small locality segment up to whole Earth coverage. Topographic maps form spatial image of represented objects, contain necessary quantitative and qualitative characteristics. Topographic maps make it possible to determine coordinates, length, square, height and volume of object marked on map. Topographic maps represent combinations, interplays, peculiarities and regularities of object placing. These properties clarify importance and value of maps.

To summarize somehow the variety of map usage, we can enumerate the following most important functions:

• Examination of locality, region, country, etc.
• Direction finding, i.e. its map usage as a guide of locality – on the land and in the ocean, in the war fighting, in traveling, for navigation, etc.
• Map as a basis of engineering projection of transport, power engineering, industry, agriculture, etc.

In this section you can find information about rules of topographic map creation, of topographic maps classification, representation of objects on map, digital topographic maps requirements.