American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common feature on topographic maps?

1. Only manmade structures

2. Contour lines indicating elevation

3. Circular symbols for cities

4. Color-coded regions for climate

The correct answer is: Contour lines indicating elevation

Topographic maps are specifically designed to illustrate the physical features of the Earth's surface, with a primary focus on elevation changes. The defining characteristic of these maps is the use of contour lines, which are lines drawn on a map connecting points of equal elevation. These lines help to visualize the terrain’s shape and steepness: where lines are close together indicates steep terrain, while wider spaces suggest gentler slopes. Elevation is essential for various applications, including land-use planning, environmental management, and outdoor recreation. While contour lines are a hallmark of topographic maps, other features like manmade structures, circular symbols for cities, and color-coded regions for climate may appear on different types of maps but are not fundamental characteristics of topographic maps. Therefore, the presence of contour lines indicating elevation stands out as the correct answer, emphasizing the primary purpose of topographic maps to convey information about the landscape's relief.