THEME

Representation of Geographical
Features
Milestones
In this chapter, you will learn about:
Topoq-naph
o
Topep Ralsaanla
ved e
Contour lines and their uses rudogs
ldentification of Conirbibwol sgn5, ribea
landforms through contours Moalauuod otuue n d
Different patterns of settlements
Interpretation and analysis of topographical sheets
potort ds gacoziaynsh t
mako

Theterm 'topography indicates relief features such as mountains, hills,ridges, valeys

and coastal plains.
Topographical maps combine natural features and human-made
features on a single sheet with the help.of colours and
conventional symbols. In lndia, topographical maps NOW YOU KNOW
or sheets are produced by the Survey of India. These The term 'topography' is derived from
two Greek words topos meaning place
maps are an important toolfor geographers.who intend
and graphein meaning to write.
woun to make an in-depth study of a region.

yeRUL plocas wd& hi gh a o6

USEOFCONTOURS ON TOPOGRAPHICAL SHEETS S hai ght bctwgen utel
Contourlines areimaginarylinesjoining places which have the same height above the
Cu
sea level. On a topographical map, the contourlines ofa region are shown with brown
lines. These lines neverintersect each other. Each contour line has its own numerical Juno
value. The difference in height between two adjacent contour lines is called the contour
interval. Thisinterval remains the same throughout the map and depends on the scale
as well as the minimum and maximum heights in the area shown in the map. Every fifth
contour line is drawn bold, and is known as the contour index.

On topographical sheets contour lines are used to show the following.

 Height of the Land
The height of a contour is indicated by the figure that is
contour line marked 100 m means that all places which are
written along it. For example
ple, d obe
joined by
it are located atat a e
height of 100 mabove the sea level. a

Steepness of the Slope StoSSpmuungn daeatas auntslepe

CUBAA a p ae) Mida (antla Ahopa
The spacing of the contour lines indicates the nature of the slope. Closely
spaced contours
indicate steep slopes, while widely spaced ontours indicate gentle slope.

Land Sh & Tndauolt ukspa lon d

Shape of the EAOnuco,, yoluutjrako thudA
Contour lines indicate the shape of the land. For example,ifthey are concentric and the
value increases inside, they represent a conical hill.

IDENTIFICATION OF LANDFORMS THROUGH CONTOURS

A variety of relief or physical features
can be identified with the help of
Contours. Slp Slope Sudd R/F
ond CL orna
daueus dueLA
Steep Slope() AgpheO-a
Sodeen
It is the sudden rise or fall of the land.
In a steep slope, the contour lines are
drawn close to each other. This type
of slope is suitable for construction of Slope
odua tours ota Steep
roads. d lnpa:
RFlard / Gendesi

Gentle Slope
O
It is the gradual rise or fall of the
land. In a gentle slope, the contour
lines are drawn wide apart from each
other.
Contours of a Gentle Slope
Hill
It is a large mass of land that rises to aheight, much above the surrounding area. The top
of a hill is called a summit or a peak. In a conical hill with uniform slopeon all sides, the

contour lines are drawn in a concentric manner. They are evenly spaced and the value
increasestowards the centre.
o
dasop eros lond Jn usp ha
 Plateau
It is a 700
e large mass of comparatively flat land that rises abruptly 800
from the surrounding area. Its surface is undulating and it
usually has steep slopes on one or more sides. In a
plateau
the contourlines are drawn in an elongated manner, with the
value increasing.on the inner side. They are close to each other
on the side that is steep and widely spaced on the side that is
gentle. e
Cles -sanp Sxdu Contours of a
Plateau
Ridge
It is a narrow, elongated hill with steep slopes. A ridge
1s
represented on the map by elliptical contours that
are closely spaced. The top of a ridge is not flat and it
usually has a number of small summits separated by
depressions. pbas LotAserthas ght tha L 2 s
If the depression is narrow and steep sided, it is called ilorai
Tha
a col. A broad and low depression that gently descends
from the summit ofa ridge is called a saddle. A narrow
gap in a range of mountain that provides a passage
through it is called a pass. A pass that has been lowered
in height by the action of river is called a gap.
Noru Double-Headed
coAtoud dustaly Apa.ced Arrow Marks the Col

500 700
600 G00 C700
400
500
300 400
200- 300
100-

Contours of a conical hil Contours of a ridge

Poa Noroued e
Grop
PsLedlun g pola.o
gangd p baysse edus
 Saddle

Contours of a Saddle

PATTERNS OF SETTLEMENTS
Patterns of Settlements
A settlement is a place where people construct
their houses and other necessary facilities,
and interact with their environment as well as with each other. It can
range from a

small
cluster of huts to a big metropolitan city.
The factors which govern the development of settlements are favourable climate,
availability of land and water, fertility of soil.accessibility, presence of minerals and
industries.
Some settlements are temporary where nomadic people stay for a short.periodof time

Most settlements, however, are permanent, where people live for long period ot time

The settements shown on a topographical sheet are commonly found in the following8

patterns.
Dispersed
Nucleated
Linear amasl
 Huy a r L a , o r Cr
Dispersed Settlements hos t
is e
In hilly and forested areas and deserts, where accessibility
poor, the settlements consist of scattered houses. These are

called dispersed settlements. Very large farms also have this

type of settlements.
Rushr valS
Dispersed Settlement
Compact or Nucleated Settlements hove J u a
In river valleys and fertile plains, where the land is flat and

accessibility is good, the settlements consist of houses built

closetogether. These type of settlements are called compact
ornucleated settlements:
ALogRne onka,
Linear Settlements
Along the river banks,
Coasts, roads or

railway lines, houses

are built in a line,
usually facing each
other. These type of
Linear Settlement settlements are called
linearsettlements. Nucleated Settlement

INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS OF ATOPOGRAPHICAL SHEET

Interpretation of a topographical sheet involves identifying and describing the physical
and human-madefeatures as shown on a map and bringing out their inter-relationship.

The physical features include relief features, drainage and vegetation, while the
human-made features include settlements, public facilities, occupation, means of
transport and means of irrigation.

A sample topographical sheet has been provided on page 6 that shows parts of Rajasthan
and Gujarat in Western India. The RF of the map is 1:50,000 and the contour interval
is 20m.

Let us read this map and interpret it to get an understanding of the inter-relationship
noW

between the physical and human-made features of the region.

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 MAP NOT TO SCALE
Sample topographical sheet

Physical Features
The region has two distinct physical divisions:

i) A hilly area in the south-east and east

ii) A large plain land in the remaining portion

The hilly area in the south-east corner of the map presents a rugged topography. The

highest peak here is 1425m high. The elevation decreases towards the north and the west,
as indicated by the contour values. There are several hills in this area, with steep slopes
and heights of over 400m. Many ridges with cols and saddles are also present.

The 300m contour line roughly demarcates the boundary of the plain land. It is traversed
by the Sipu River and its tributaries. The general slope is towards the west, as indicated
by the spot heights. There are patches of wastelands, particularly along the river banks.
Some sand hills are present in the north-west corner.

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Drainage
hills and
The most important stream in this region is the Sipu Nadi which rises in the
flows in the western direction. Its main tributary is the Sukli Nadi. Both the streams
are

the
seasonal, indicating scanty rainfall in the region. Numerous seasonal streams rise from
hilly area and flow down the steep slopes. There is a large reservoir with embankments,
on the Sipu Nadi and a long irrigation canal has been drawn out of it.

Vegetation
dense mixed jungles. As
The hilly area is forested, with open mixed jungles and fairly
the receives low rainfall, the forests are of dry deciduous type. In the plain land, the
area

agricultural areas as well as the wastelands are dotted with isolated trees.

Settlements
The plain land has several settlements with nucleated pattern, some of them having
station. Wahan has a
important civic facilities. Pamera has a post office and police
a

office, a
ost office and a dispensary. Anadra has a police chouki, a post and telegraph
dak bungalow anda dispensary. Gulabganjis another big settlement. Mohabbatgarh
settlements
is linear settlement along the metalled road. There are many dispersed
a

near the sources of water, for example, along the

banks of the streams and next to lined
wells in the farmlands. The hilly area is devoid of any settlements. There are many
Devi ka Mandir is a big temple located in
temples in and around the villages. Anjni
the hilly area.

Occupation
The main occupation of the people in the plain land is agriculture as indicated by the

yellow colour, which represents cultivated land. The farmers depend on the seasonal
rainfall for irrigation. There are alsoa number of wells, seasonal tanks (tor
example, Moti
Talao) and a canal. The green colour in the hilly area indicates forests. People here are
probably engaged in collection of forest products and small-scale lumbering. Some
people work in post offices, police stations, dispensaries and dak bungalows. A few
are involved in trading activities.

Transport
There is only one metalled road that passes through the region, connecting Anadra,
Gulabganj, Wahan and Sirori. There are causeways at places where it crosses the streams.
Numerous cart tracks connect the settlements with each other. The one that leads out of
is motorable in the dry season, which means that vehicles it when
Anadra
there is no rain. There are a few footpaths in the forested hills.
can ply on
rlangulated Height -A point that has been accurately
triangle, for example, A450 surveyed is shown
wi a

pot Height The height of a

-

point on the ground above the mean sea level 1s showt

with a dot, for example, 280
Dench Mark - A mark etched on a stone or a building to indicate the accurate height

determined by survey, for example, BM 100

Relative Height - The difference between maximum and minimum height of a place

1s represented by the letter 'r", for example, r

Glossary
Causeway: a raised metalled road across a small stream or a marshy area
Concentric: having a common centre
Depressions: places lower in height than the surrounding areas
Metropolitan city: a city having dense population with developed infrastructure
and industries

Summit: the highest point of a mountain

Snap Recap
On topographical sheets contour lines are used to show height ofthe land, steepness
of the slope and shape of the land
Various landforms such as hill, plateau and ridge can be identified through the
shape and spacing of the contour lines.
Asettlement is a place where people build their houses and other necessary facilities
and interact with their environment as well as with each other. There are three
patterns of settlements-dispersed, nucleated and linear.
The
settlementsbigger than rural settlements and where most of the
engaged in secondary or tertiary activities are called urban settlement
people are
Interpretation of topographical sheet involves identifying and describing the
physical and human-made teatures as shown on a
map and bringing ouut the
inter-relationship.
 Review Exercise
A. Choose the correct option.
1. A narrow gap in a mountain range that provides a passage through it is called

(a) col (b) saddle (c) pass (d) gap

2. Every fifth contour line is drawn bold, and is known as the
(a) contour index (b) contour interval (C) contour legend (d) contour range
3. Nucleated settlements are commonly found in.
(b) river valleys (c) deserts (d) forested areas
(a) hilly areas
4. The settlement in which houses are built in a line is. settlement.
(c)linear (d) radial
(a) dispersed (b) compact
B. Fill in the blanks.
1. Closely spaced contour lines indicate a_ nn slope.
2. The top of a hill is called a LNOO or a peak.
3. Anarrow, elongated hill with steep slopes is called a A
duration.
4. In a_poripnint settlement, people stay for long

Mark the wrong statements and correct them.

C. bru8un
shown on a topographical map by black lines.h
1. The contour lines are
contours that are widely spaced.
2. A ridge is represented on the map by elliptical action of river is calleda gap.F
has been lowered in height by the
3. A mountain pass that
mountain range.
4. A saddle is a narrow passage ina

D. Answer these questions in 10-20 words.

and sheets
for the publishing of topographical maps
1. Which organisation is responsible
in India? surud ol Tadua
interval'.95.0ua aoueh Guro opg.ocorb
contur
2. Define the term 'contour
on a topographical
sheet? CenleuSt aJCBos to
3. How is a conical hill represented
4. What 1s the difference between a a saddle?
col and

tion ofa topographical sheet?

5. What do you
understand by interpreta
50-60 words.
E. Answer these questions in
sheet?
on a topographical
1. What is a plateau? represented
How is it settlements.

State the factors that govern the development of

'settlement'.
2. Define the term

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F.
Answer these
questions in
1.
2.
Explain the use of contours75-100 words.
Describe the different on
topographical sheets.
G. patterns of rural settlements.
Why do you think so?
1.
Nomadic people live in
2. River temporary settlements.
5.
valleys have compact settlements.
lopographical maps are
important tools for geographers.
H. Picture Study
. What is the main
occupation of the people in this area? Give an evidence from the
map.
2. What does the blue line on the bed of
Sipu River indicate
3. Name the main tributary of
Sipu River in this area.

I. Life Skills
Take any topographical sheet from your school library and interpret it in the same manner
as given in the text. You may take help from your teacher.

J. Activity
Observe and study the patten of settlement in your locality. Also, find out what kind ot
services are available in your neighbourhood.

Web Connect
http://ern.wikipedia.org
www.britannica.com

www.mytopo.com

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