Topographic Map Layout

Margin and Map Frame

The official maps present additional information and details in the margin and framework including the neat line, which surrounds the map. These specifications are important for the whole understanding of the map. The assortment and the composition of this additional information vary among different countries.

Have a look at the 4 examples showing a Swiss, German, French and an Austrian topographic map.

An example of the 'International Map of the World'- also called 'Karta Mira'.

Marginal Information

Above the frame you can usually find the official sheet name of the map type together with the scale denominator, the map title written in bold print and the sheet number of the mapsheet. The mapsheet number belongs to the official system, the specific topographic map is dedicated to.

• The overview for Switzerland you may perceive from: http://www.swisstopo.ch. Or have a look at the interacitve example below (if necessary, use the right mouse button to open the example enlarged in a separate tab):

• The overview of German topographic mapsheets you can view on:
  http://www.geodatenzentrum.de/

• The Austrian product range and the available mapsheets you may obtain via:
  http://www.bev.gv.at/

• Last but not least, the French product range and the available mapsheets you may obtain via: http://www.ign.fr/

One map is usually surrounded by 4 further maps in each direction. You may ask; how can you find out the map number for the one you are looking for? In between the framework, you can find the information concerning the connected mapsheets with its number and labelling. This example shows you a scheme valid for a special German mapsheet:

The verbal indication of scale is positioned at the top, whereas the linear scale on a usual topographic map you may find underneath the map face. Here you can find out the real distance from the measured distance on the map. Additionally, the notation of the representative fraction is made next to the linear scale. However, be aware, that there are other types of scales. See the *.pdf for explanation. Click here to open it.

The notation about the equidistance of the contour lines in meters is separately given underneath the linear scale.

Further information given underneath the mapface are the gravitation details. This identifies the angle between grid north and magnetic north and its annual deviation for a special part of the map. On Swiss maps, it is labelled textually whereas on German topographic maps it is partly shown graphically. But, what do the different angles represent?

Considering the publisher, you can see whether the map is an official one and for this reason the most detailed one, or whether they are unofficial. Official topographic maps are based upon geodetic surveys with a minimum of generalised data. Further utilisation of data coming from official institutions usually includes a fee. Duplication is also possible with a written acceptance of the originator.

The status of the data describing the cartographic revisions and its first setup is differs from the data of the geodetic survey and is mentioned underneath the mapface. There you need to identify between:

• A full revision, including a complete update of the whole information a map mediates.

• A partial revision, where just important additions are made or slight changes are updated. E.g., separate topographic objects.

Finally yet importantly, there is the need to mention the legend, which some countries, such as Germany and Austria present, on their topographic maps, but others like Switzerland do not present on their map face. On their newly published topographic maps, they print an explanation of the main legend features on the back. The full legend in this case is passed to the user separately in the form of a leaflet. You are invited to have a look at the *.pdf’s including:

• Legend of Swiss topographic maps Swiss_Signatures.pdf

• A partial revision, where just important additions are made or slight changes are updated. E.g., separate topographic objects.Swiss_Symbols.pdf

A separate book with additional information about map reading can be purchased in a bookshop or from: http://www.swisstopo.admin.ch/internet/swisstopo/en/home/products/accessories/book.html

Map Framework

The framework of the map consists of various lines describing the geographic net and numbers standing for geographic coordinates, the latitude and longitude. The form of presentation here varies due to the different countries’ customs. In Germany, the 4 map corners are described with the exact latitude and longitude values whereas, in Switzerland this is not usually done. Because it is much easier to calculate on an orthogonal even grid, many countries make use of presenting this grid instead of the geographic net. The Swiss maps have not included the geographic net in their maps except its specifications in the frame, but their country’s coordinate system has an 1 km grid. This differs to maps of Germany and Austria in terms of the kind of presentation. Their presentation is in the form of longitude zone maps. France compared to them measures in gon, not as the others do in the entity of degree, but France has a 1 km grid, similar to Switzerland.

An even greater difference than the presentation lies in the different type of projection each country chooses individually and optimally for their topographic map presentation. In the following, a couple of countries with their projections are listed:

The information concerning the projection type is arranged mostly underneath the framework or in between the mapface and frame.

The second to last outer double line of the frame is varying its appearance from opaque black to white with a line in the middle. It mirrors the subdivision of the geographic coordinate system of degree, in seconds. The amount of seconds displayed is again varies due to different countries’ customs.

Depending on the country, some additional entries like names which would be cut on each mapsheet are added. Some destinations of streets and railway lines can also be either in the map framework or beneath mapface and framework, as it is customary for Switzerland.