Keweenaw Time Traveler
  • Keweenaw Time Traveler
    • Resources >
      • About the Data >
        • About the Maps
        • About the Datasets
        • About Sharing Your Stories
      • Tutorials & Programming >
        • Tutorials & Guides
        • Programs & Lesson Plans
      • Behind the Scenes
      • Our Partners
      • Our Funders
      • Meet the Team
      • Publications
    • For Researchers
    • Project News
  • NEH Institute
    • About the Institute >
      • Host Institutions
      • Our Host Community
      • Questions & Answers
      • Instructor Bios
    • 2025 Fellows
    • Schedule
    • In-Person Institute
    • Resources >
      • Technical Resources
      • ​Virtual Workshops & Asynchronous Modules
      • Deep Mapping & Digital Humanities Resources
      • Professional Development Opportunities
  • Help

Topographic Maps

What are Topographic Maps?

A topographic map is a two-dimensional representation of the Earth’s three-dimensional landscape.​ Contour lines indicate elevation above sea level to show hills, cliffs, and general elevation change. A topographic map also includes detailed and accurate illustrations of human-made and natural features on the ground such as roads, railways, power transmission lines, rivers, lakes and geographical names. The topographic maps used in the Keweenaw Time Traveler come from the United States Geological Survey.

What can I learn using these maps?

Topographic maps identify numerous ground features, which can be grouped into the following categories:
  • Topography: mountains, valleys, slopes, depressions as defined by contours 
  • Hydrography: lakes, rivers, streams, swamps, rapids, waterfalls 
  • Vegetation: wooded areas, barren areas, rocky outcrops and fields
  • Transportation: roads, trails, railways, bridges, airports/airfield
  • Built Environment: buildings, urban development, power transmission line, pipelines, towers 
  • Boundaries: international, provincial/territorial, administrative, recreational, geographical 
  • Place Names: town names, water feature names, landform names, boundary names


Picture
Picture
Picture

Tips & Tools for Reading these maps

​For information on how to read a topographic map as well as commonly used symbols please view: Topographic Map Symbols by the USGS ​
Picture
Picture

Other Resources

  • USGS Historical Topographic Maps - Preserving the Past
  • Natural Resources Canada: The Basics of Topographic Maps
Images Above: Taken from Topographic Map Symbols by the USGS

Contact Us​

Picture
HESA Lab
Picture
  • Keweenaw Time Traveler
    • Resources >
      • About the Data >
        • About the Maps
        • About the Datasets
        • About Sharing Your Stories
      • Tutorials & Programming >
        • Tutorials & Guides
        • Programs & Lesson Plans
      • Behind the Scenes
      • Our Partners
      • Our Funders
      • Meet the Team
      • Publications
    • For Researchers
    • Project News
  • NEH Institute
    • About the Institute >
      • Host Institutions
      • Our Host Community
      • Questions & Answers
      • Instructor Bios
    • 2025 Fellows
    • Schedule
    • In-Person Institute
    • Resources >
      • Technical Resources
      • ​Virtual Workshops & Asynchronous Modules
      • Deep Mapping & Digital Humanities Resources
      • Professional Development Opportunities
  • Help