Page 1: Understanding Contour Maps and Elevation

This page introduces fundamental concepts of topographic mapping and elevation measurement. The Mapa poziomicowa shows how landforms are represented on maps using contour lines.

Definition: Wysokość bezwzględna (absolute height) is the elevation of any point on Earth measured from sea level, expressed in meters above sea level (m n.p.m.).

Definition: Wysokość względna (relative height) is measured from a selected point, such as from the base to the peak of an elevation, expressed in meters.

Vocabulary: Poziomice (contour lines) are lines connecting points of equal elevation above sea level.

Example: The map shows contour lines at intervals of 50 meters, with elevations ranging from 400m to 700m above sea level.

Highlight: The closer together contour lines are, the steeper the terrain. Widely spaced contour lines indicate gentler slopes.