Analysis of topographical maps:
• General impression:
- Start by becoming familiar with the map.
- Howare map features distributed? (landforms and drainage)
- Why are features distributed in such ways?
- Relationship between features (landforms influence patterns of rural/
urban settlements)
• Physical features:
- Start by becoming familiar with the map.
- Landforms: What is the height above sea level?
o Evidence fromspecific landforms
o Contour patterns
o Evidence for rock structure
o Erosion agents to shape landform.
- Relief: Is it mountainous, hilly, flat?
o Focus on contour lines (higher ground/lower ground)
o Range between hilltops and valleys
o Estimate higher land and lower land.
, - Drainage: which directions do rivers flow?
o General direction of river flow
o Water sheds
o Drainage
o Perennial / non-perennial river
o Drainage high/ low
o Valley conditions density
o What do drainage patterns suggest?
o Waterfalls etc?
- Climate: is it obviously wet/ dry?
o Latitude is a guide (West =warm)
o Longitude (west =drier +east =wet)
o Mountainous regions =higher rainfall
o Distance fromthe sea (range in temp.)
- Natural vegetation: Assume what natural vegetation in the area is.
o Longitude and latitude
o Names and places on map to locate area.
o Reserve or forests name give idea of vegetation.
• General impression:
- Start by becoming familiar with the map.
- Howare map features distributed? (landforms and drainage)
- Why are features distributed in such ways?
- Relationship between features (landforms influence patterns of rural/
urban settlements)
• Physical features:
- Start by becoming familiar with the map.
- Landforms: What is the height above sea level?
o Evidence fromspecific landforms
o Contour patterns
o Evidence for rock structure
o Erosion agents to shape landform.
- Relief: Is it mountainous, hilly, flat?
o Focus on contour lines (higher ground/lower ground)
o Range between hilltops and valleys
o Estimate higher land and lower land.
, - Drainage: which directions do rivers flow?
o General direction of river flow
o Water sheds
o Drainage
o Perennial / non-perennial river
o Drainage high/ low
o Valley conditions density
o What do drainage patterns suggest?
o Waterfalls etc?
- Climate: is it obviously wet/ dry?
o Latitude is a guide (West =warm)
o Longitude (west =drier +east =wet)
o Mountainous regions =higher rainfall
o Distance fromthe sea (range in temp.)
- Natural vegetation: Assume what natural vegetation in the area is.
o Longitude and latitude
o Names and places on map to locate area.
o Reserve or forests name give idea of vegetation.
