GEOGRAPHY TERM 1

Page 1: Contour Lines and Landscape Mapping

• Contour Lines Overview

  • Contour lines represent elevation on land models and maps, connecting points of equal height.

  • Maps utilize symbols and colors rather than photography for representation.

  • Landscape features such as hills, river valleys, and mountains are identified using contour lines.

  • The number of contour lines shown depends on the scale; for instance, every 100, 50, or 20 meters may be shown.

  • Contour Interval: The distance between each contour line, e.g., 20-meter intervals in the hilly landscape map.

  • Cartographers collect data via aerial photographs, satellite images, and land surveys to create maps.

• Unit 2: Gradient of Slopes

  • Gradient: Describes steepness of a slope, calculated as the ratio of vertical height to horizontal distance.

  • Steep slopes have larger vertical differences and smaller horizontal distances.

  • Gentle slopes have smaller vertical differences and larger horizontal distances.

  • Contour lines indicate slope gradient: closer lines signify steeper slopes, while further lines indicate gentler slopes.

• Unit 3: River Valleys and Spurs

  • River Valleys: Depressed areas lower than adjacent land, often containing rivers.

    • Contour lines form a V-shape pointing up the valley, indicating steep sides in mountainous regions.

  • Spurs: Protruding pieces of land between river valleys, characterized by U-shaped contour patterns that point down slope.