Name: _________________________________________________________ Period: ___________ Geology

Create Your Own Topographic Map Project

In this project, you will be combining all that you have learned about topographic maps to create your
own! Please use the checklist as a rubric to create your map. After creating your map using the checklist,
answer the questions on the back of this sheet. Make sure you hand in this paper along with your map!

Checklist
Your map must include the following:

❑ At least 5 contour lines

starting with zero

❑ Label elevation of each line

❑ One river
- Make sure your contour lines
form V-shape and point
uphill!

❑ Compass rose

❑ Map scale

❑ X at the highest point of your

map

❑ Points A and B at any

random positions on the map
(*must be on the contour line!
*)

Discussion Questions

Page 1
1. What is your contour interval?

2. Which side is the steepest? Write down the compass direction.

3a. Where is the river located on your map? Write down the compass direction.

3b. Where is the river flowing to? Write down the compass direction.

4. What is the maximum possible elevation of point X?

5. Calculate the gradient of AB. You must show work!

6. Design a hiking route on your map using dotted line. Why did you choose this path? Explain in 2 or more
sentences.

Page 2
 Create a Topographic Map Rubric
Page 3
❐ At least 5 contour line starting with zero
❐ Label elevations of each line
❐ One river with V-shaped contour lines
❐ Compass rose
❐ Map scale
❐ X at the highest point
____ Neatness (4 point total)
Total Score: ______________
Next Step:
Create a Topographic Map Rubric
❐ At least 5 contour line starting with zero
❐ Label elevations of each line
❐ One river with V-shaped contour lines
❐ Compass rose
❐ Map scale
❐ X at the highest point
____ Neatness (4 point total)
Total Score: ______________
Next Step:
Create a Topographic Map Rubric
❐ At least 5 contour line starting with zero
❐ Label elevations of each line
❐ One river with V-shaped contour lines
❐ Compass rose
❐ Map scale
❐ X at the highest point
____ Neatness (4 point total)
Total Score: ______________
Next Step:
Page 4
Create a Topographic Map Rubric
❐ At least 5 contour line starting with zero
❐ Label elevations of each line
❐ One river with V-shaped contour lines
❐ Compass rose
❐ Map scale
❐ X at the highest point
____ Neatness (4 point total)
Total Score: ______________
Next Step:
Create a Topographic Map Rubric
❐ At least 5 contour line starting with zero
❐ Label elevations of each line
❐ One river with V-shaped contour lines
❐ Compass rose
❐ Map scale
❐ X at the highest point
____ Neatness (4 point total)
Total Score: ______________
Next Step:
Create a Topographic Map Rubric
❐ At least 5 contour line starting with zero
❐ Label elevations of each line
❐ One river with V-shaped contour lines
❐ Compass rose
❐ Map scale
❐ X at the highest point
____ Neatness (4 point total)
Total Score: ______________
Next Step: