How to read a topographic map?
The steps are included here: 1) Thin brown lines represent contours or points of similar elevation. The closer together they are, the steeper he terrain. 2) Contour lines form “V” shapes in valleys or along the stream beds. The point of the “V” points uphill. 3) Blue represents water. 4) Green represents orchards and forested areas. 5) Purple markings are those that have been “photo-revised” or added to the map since the original map was printed. 6) Red areas represent urban areas. Maps will often indicate special buildings of significance within the urbanized area. 7) Roads and highways are represented in black and red. 8) The scale on 1:24,000 topographic maps mean that one inch equals 2000 feet.
