1. Identify Topographic Symbols on a Military Map
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Identify Topographic Symbols on a Military Map

2. Terminal Learning Objective
Action: Identify Topographic Symbols on a Military Map
Conditions: Given a standard 1:50,000 scale topographical map
Standards: Correctly identify the topographic symbols, colors, and marginal information on a military map

3. Definition of a Map
A map is a graphic representation of the earth’s surface, or part of it, drawn to scale as seen from above, with manmade and natural features appearing as symbols, lines, and colors.

4. Boundaries, Adjoining Sheets
Marginal Information
Sheet Name
Sheet
Number
Boundaries, Adjoining Sheets
and Elevation Guide
Declination Diagram

5. Marginal Information (con’t)
Scale
Bar
Scales
Contour Interval Note
Credit Notes

6. Marginal Information (con’t)
Grid Reference Box
Legend

7. Colors on a Map Black Red-Brown Blue Green Brown Red Other
Identifies vegetation with military significance such as woods, orchards, and vineyards.
Identifies all relief features and elevation such as contours on older edition maps and cultivated land on red-light readable maps.
Combined to identify cultural features, all relief features, non-surveyed spot elevations, and elevation such as contour lines on red-light readable maps.
Indicates cultural (man-made) features such as buildings, roads, spot elevations, and all labels.
Classifies cultural features, such as populated areas, main roads, and boundaries on older maps.
Identifies hydrography or water features such as lakes, swamps, rivers, and drainage.
Occasionally, other colors are used to show special information. These colors are indicated in the marginal information.

8. ------- X X Man-made Objects PROMINENT FENCE TRAIL DOUBLE TRACK RR
SINGLE TRACK RR
CEM

9. Man-made Objects (con’t)
MEDIUM DUTY
HEAVY DUTY
IMPROVED ROAD
UNIMPROVED ROAD

10. Drainage and Vegetation
INTERMITTENT STREAM
STREAM
INTERMITTENT
LAKE/POND
LAKE / POND

11. Drainage and Vegetation (con’t)
MARSH OR SWAMP
GRASSLAND
VINEYARD/ORCHARD
WOODS

12. Contour Lines
Contour lines represent vertical distance above or below mean sea level on the ground.
Intermediate
Index
Supplementary

13. Terminal Learning Objective
Action: Identify Topographic Symbols on a Military Map
Conditions: Given a standard 1:50,000 scale topographical map
Standards: Correctly identify the topographic symbols, colors, and marginal information on a military map