Question

Which colour is used in the topographical map to show contour lines and their numbering, sand dunes, highlands and stony wastelands?
A. Green
B. Yellow
C. Red
D. Brown

Answer 1

Hint: Topographic maps are maps that show very detailed information about the given location. The use of various colours is to make it easier to identify which feature is being shown. Colours used are often based on easy association, like blue for water bodies.But some colours are more difficult to associate this simply.

Complete Answer:
Topographical maps, also called topographical sheets are maps that show any given area with minute details. The geographical features, both natural and man-made, are depicted in large scale. Due to this, it becomes very necessary to use different colours for different features, since listing each in a key is nearly impossible. These colours are standardized, and the same colour is used for the same feature universally.

Let us now see what each of the colours is used for-
Green is the colour we most easily associate with nature or greenery. Following this, green has been adopted as the colour used to show vegetation in the topographical maps. It represents forests or similar dense natural vegetation. Thus, green is not the correct option.
Yellow colour is used in topographical maps to represent fields of crops, arable lands or agricultural lands. It is the colour that shows areas under cultivation by man. Therefore, it is not the correct option.

Red is used in topographical maps to show man-made features. It includes settlements, primary and secondary roads, huts and other buildings etc. Red is also used to show grid lines and their number. So, this too is not the correct option. Brown is used to show contour lines and their numberings, highlands, stony wastelands and sand dunes (sandy areas in general). Therefore, this is the correct option

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D.

Note: -Topographical maps are very significant because they can represent a three dimensional landscape in two dimensions.
-These maps show both natural and artificial features along with both physical and administrative demarcations.
-Nowadays, satellite imagery is used to create very precise and updated topographical maps with even remote and minute details.