Final answer:
Topographic maps and aerial imagery are tools for representing physical features like houses, dams, and mountain peaks. They provide a visual means to understand and navigate landscapes for various purposes, including planning and recreation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To represent features such as houses, dams, and mountain peaks, a topographic map can be extremely useful. These maps allow individuals to visually understand the landscape in terms of its physical elevation and terrain features. For example, houses may be represented by small square symbols, dams by a straight line across a river symbol, and mountain peaks with a triangular point symbol. They provide detailed information about the natural and built environment, essential for planning activities like hiking or construction.
Observing aerial imagery, such as part of the Mississippi River shown in Figure 9.1, can provide insight about the landscape and vegetation patterns influenced by the river. Similarly, works of art can also depict landscape features, as seen in Mont Sainte-Victoire and the Viaduct of the Arc River Valley, which illustrates the mountain dominating the local landscape through various layers and colors. Such representations help in understanding the grandeur and composition of natural features and can serve as a guide for further investigation or simply for appreciation.