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Visualizing what a hill looks like in width and height from a flat map is not always easy. By making a cross-section, or profile, of a piece of landscape that you are interested in, you can get a better idea of what a hill looks like.
Making a Topographical Profile
To make a topographic profile, measure the straight line distance on a map between two points through the piece of terrain that you have selected. Next, line up a straight-edged piece of paper between the two points. Mark the two points you have selected to find the profile between. Then mark on the edge of the paper where the contour lines intersect the paper between your two points. Don't forget to label the values of the contour lines on the piece of paper! Make a note of the contour interval of the map that you are using. Using a piece of graph paper, line up the marked edge of the sheet of paper along the horizontal axis and mark your two points on the axis. Label the vertical or y-axis with the contour intervals. Next plot the contour interval points on the graph. Use distance as your horizontal or x coordinate, and elevation as your vertical or y coordinate. After you have plotted all your points, connect the dots. Can you see what your land feature looks like?
