What would have happened to this world without maps? Apparently, not everyone is great with directions, and even if they are, how will they remember so many directions, locations, and physical features? This is where maps come into play. They symbolically represent selected characteristics of a palace, typically on a flat surface. For representing different things, they use different symbols and colors. In this article, you are gonna learn about the symbols of a mountain map, colors on a map, colour of mountain in map, etc.
1. What are the Symbols of a Map?
Maps show the features of a place in a plane view. This view is similar to how a bird sees a place from above. In a map, it is impossible to label every single feature with words and that is why symbols are used in maps. Every map has its own key or legend, which contains information regarding what is the meaning of each symbol on the map. The symbols can be lines, letters, drawings, colored areas, or shortened words. Mostly, map symbols are conventional and easily understood by everyone. These symbols present collective information. They help in the appreciation of form, relative position, structure, and distribution. These are some common symbols of a map:
- Letter H- Defines hospital
- Cross- Ir is used for first aid
- Wheelchair- Defines the handicap-accessible area
- Bed- Symbolizes lodging
- Fork and Knife- Define food outlets
2. What are the Colors on a Map?
Cartographers use colors on maps to define specific areas. The colors used on maps have relations to a feature or an object on the ground. To represent different countries, internal divisions of countries, like states and provinces, the cartographers use four or more colors in a physical map. On the other hand, physical maps have dramatic use of colors to show elevation, greens, etc. In general-interest maps, the following colors are used:
- Red- It represents major roads, highways, urban areas, military sites, borders, buildings, place names, and special-interest sites.
- Blue- It represents oceans, reservoirs, lakes, streams, rivers, local borders, and highways.
- Green- It represents forests, parks, golf courses, orchards, reservations, and highways.
- Yellow- It represents urban or built-up areas.
- Black- It defines borders, buildings, bridges, roads, highways, railroads, and place names.
- Brown- It represents historical sites, deserts, national parks, elevation lines, military bases, or reservations.
- Purple- It represents revisions to a map. It is though no longer used on maps in production.
3. How are Mountains Represented on a Map?
After learning about colors on a map, let’s see how mountains are represented on a map. In topographic maps, mountains are represented in by a series of concentric circles or shapes. Towards the peak of the mountain, these circles will gradually get smaller and smaller. In physical maps, colors are also used to show the elevations of the mountains. Usually, in such maps, brown color defines higher elevations and green color defines lower elevations. After this, let’s learn more about the colour of mountain in map.
4. What is Colour of Mountain in Map?
In, topographic maps, mountains are shown by concentric circles or shapes. Towards the peak of the mountain, these circles will gradually get smaller and smaller. So, what is the colour of mountain in map? Usually, brown color is used for representing mountains on maps. With this, you have learned the colour of mountain in map. Learn What is the Meaning of Rainbows Colors?
5. What is the Best Colour for Mountain?
As you are aware of the colour of mountain in map, let’s learn about the best colour for the mountain. Mountains are landforms that have some kind of distinction or prominence compared to their surrounding land. In nature, mountains predominately appear in brown and grey color. In maps, the best colour for mountains is also brown.
6. How do You Make a Mountain Map?
A mountain is a landform that has a kind of distinction or prominence compared to its surrounding land. Usually, it has a shape of a peak. This landform is more prominent, taller, and steeper than hills. Mountains can appear individually or in series. In maps, concentric shapes like circles are used to represent mountain ranges. Usually, brown color is used to show mountains on maps. To make a mountain map, you should first learn how to draw mountains via the following steps:
- Define the shape: Start by drawing a line to indicate the place you want to draw your mountain range. It lets you focus more on the overall composition of your mountain range and this helps the mountains look more natural on the map.
- Sketch some basic mountains: You should lightly sketch some simple mountain shapes on a new layer or with a new pencil. Here you should define the tallest mountains along the middle of the range. In this step, you put the main focus on the general placement and height of the mountains.
- Refine the main mountains: You can start creating a new layer and drawing your final line of work after you have placed your main mountains. For the main shape of the mountains, use a type of jagged step pattern. Remember to make the varying heights and placements of these ridges so that the mountains don’t look too similar.
- Add smaller mountains: After you have placed your taller mountains, you should start drawing some smaller mountains around them. Keep in mind that the smaller mountains should be less vertical in nature.
- Draw in the foothills: At the base of the mountains, draw some small hills to blend with the terrain. The mountains in the real world also don’t usually emerge from completely flat landscapes.
- Add the main ridge and refine it: You should start drawing in more detail when all your mountains are in place. Start by adding a ridge line that connects the main peak with the adjacent mountain, while drawing the ridge using a smooth back-and-forth motion. When your ridge is in place, draw lines that flow down from each curve or point of the ridge. It gives more definition to the form of each mountain.
- Finish the details and paint the base: As finishing details add additional lines that follow the contours of the mountains. After this, start painting some shadows on the right side of each mountain. Then, you should deepen some shadows to add more detail.
- Paint the highlights: As the last step, you should paint a few highlights on the opposite side of the mountains. Go with lighter highlights so that the mountains don’t appear too reflective.
7. What is the Colour of Hills?
Hills are pieces of land that are risen higher than everything surrounding them. They look like little bumps on the earth. They are not as high as mountains and also less steep. It is easier to climb hills than to climb mountains. The highest point of a hill is called a summit. Hills and important physical features of geography and in maps, they are represented by dark brown colors. Additionally, the yellow color is also used to define hills and plateaus. With this, you have learned about the colour of hills.
8. What is the Colour of Desert in Map?
Since you know about the colour of hills and colour of mountain in map, let’s read about the colour of the desert in map. On this planet, the desert is a geographical feature with very less precipitation. Almost all deserts are dry or arid. They receive less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of rainfall in a year. But deserts are far from being lifeless or empty. People, plants, and animals living in deserts have adapted themselves to the deserts. In topographical maps, deserts are defined by brown color. Apart from the desert, this color also represents historical sites, national parks, elevation lines, military bases, or reservations. (Also read What is the Difference between a Mountain and a Plateau?)
