What type of map shows the surface features of an area?

• A. Topographic map
• B. Reference Map
• C. Global Positioning System
• D. Thematic Map

Answer: (A)

A map that shows the surface features of an area focuses on the lay of the land—its elevations, terrain, and natural and man-made features. Topographic maps achieve this by using contour lines and shading to depict hills, valleys, mountains, rivers, lakes, and other surface details at a given scale. They give a sense of how the land rises and falls, which is exactly what “surface features” refers to.

Reference maps provide general geographic information like place names and boundaries, not detailed terrain. Global Positioning System describes a navigation system, not a map type. Thematic maps emphasize a specific theme such as population or climate, rather than the overall surface features.