Which map type is primarily used for displaying terrain relief with contour lines and major features?

• A. Planimetric Map
• B. Bedrock Map
• C. Topographic Map
• D. Thematic Map

Answer: (C)

Topographic maps are designed to show terrain relief using contour lines that connect points of equal elevation, giving a three-dimensional sense of the landscape on a flat map. Contour lines reveal slope steepness—lines that are close together indicate steep areas, while widely spaced lines show gentler terrain. In addition to elevation, these maps include major surface features such as rivers, coastlines, lakes, roads, and built-up areas, so you can see both the shape of the land and key features on its surface. This combination of elevation information and recognizable features makes the topographic map the best choice for displaying terrain relief. Planimetric maps, by contrast, show features on a plane without elevation, bedrock maps focus on geology rather than relief, and thematic maps emphasize a particular data theme, not the physical terrain.