Topography
Topography[edit | edit source]
Topography refers to the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area. It is a field of geoscience and planetary science concerned with the detailed mapping and description of the surface features of land. Topography involves the recording of relief or terrain, the three-dimensional quality of the surface, and the identification of specific landforms.
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The term "topography" originates from the Greek words "topos" meaning "place" and "graphia" meaning "writing" or "description". It was first used in the context of detailed descriptions of places in ancient Greece.
History[edit | edit source]
Historically, topography was a field of cartography and surveying. Early topographic maps were created by explorers and surveyors who would measure the land using tools like the theodolite and sextant.
Modern Topography[edit | edit source]
In modern times, topography is often conducted using remote sensing technologies such as satellite imagery and aerial photography. LIDAR and radar are also used to create detailed topographic maps. These technologies allow for the creation of digital elevation models (DEMs) that provide a three-dimensional representation of the terrain.
Applications[edit | edit source]
Topography is crucial in various fields such as geology, geography, civil engineering, and architecture. It is used in urban planning, landscape architecture, and environmental science to assess the suitability of land for various uses.
Topographic Maps[edit | edit source]
Topographic maps are characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief, usually using contour lines. These maps are used for hiking, mining, civil engineering, and military purposes.
Surveying Techniques[edit | edit source]
Traditional surveying techniques involve the use of transits, levels, and total stations. Modern techniques include GPS and GIS technologies, which allow for more accurate and efficient data collection.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Topography[edit | edit source]
Topographic map example
New York City topography
Survey point
Europe topography map
Sierra Nevada topography
3D topographic model
Earth dry elevation model
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
