Final answer:
A topographical map shows natural and man-made features on the Earth's surface, including landforms like mountains, valleys, and plains. The map uses contour lines to depict elevation and terrain slopes, with closer contour lines indicating steeper areas. Contour intervals help determine the steepness and shape of the terrain.
Step-by-step explanation:
A topographical map is a detailed and accurate graphic representation of natural and man-made features on the ground. This type of map shows the elevation, relief, and slope of the Earth's surface through the use of contour lines. When interpreting a topographical map, one can identify different landforms such as mountains, plains, and valleys, as well as bodies of water like rivers and lakes.
The contour lines are a critical aspect of topographical maps; they provide information on the terrain's shape and elevation by connecting points of equal elevation above sea level. Close contour lines indicate a steep slope, while wide-spaced contour lines signify a gentler slope. Contour intervals, the difference in elevation between adjacent contour lines, are essential for understanding the map's scale and the terrain's steepness.
On a topographical map showing a hypothetical Map 3, if one were to analyze the relief and slopes along a certain red line, they would look at the pattern of the contour lines. To determine the steeper area between two points, A to B or B to C, one would observe where the contour lines are closer together, indicating a steeper gradient.