Showing characteristics on maps such as relief and elevation is vital to the accurate readings of a map. There are several ways in which a map can depict elevation and relief. When drawn on a flat surface, maps depict horizontal characteristics rather than vertical. Since the majority of maps are projected on to flat surfaces it was imperative to develop a way to show vertical dimensions. These dimensions are known as relief. In the 19th century relief maps were projected onto flat surfaces as they might have appeared from the sky. This projection was a more realistic way of looking at the landscape then the previous method. There are several ways in which a cartographer may show relief and elevation. The most common form is contour lines. A contour line symbolizes a ghost line on the ground or on the sea floor. No matter what point on the line you choose, it will have the same elevation. These lines a categorized in three main groups A) Index B) Supplementary C) Intermediate. Among the remaining methods of depicting relief layer tinting is seen on many maps.Layer tinting uses color to show relief. Different colors are shown to represent elevation. Using this method requires a legend in which the reader of the map knows the elevation range represented by each color. This method is flawed in the way that the reader of the map is unable to find a specific elevation at an exact point, only the range is shown. This may be found more frequently on the larger maps. This way the map user is usually not looking for a specific elevation but rather a broader picture of relief. There is no doubt that relief is crucial when making and using maps....
