Certified Travel Associate Practice

What type of map shows changes in elevation or height above sea level with shading or raised surface?

1. Political map

2. Relief map

3. Route map

4. Southern Hemisphere

The correct answer is: Relief map

A relief map is specifically designed to represent the variations in terrain elevation through shading, contour lines, or three-dimensional modeling. This type of map provides a visual representation of the landscape, including hills, valleys, and mountains, allowing viewers to easily grasp the topographical features and understand the relative elevations above sea level. Political maps, on the other hand, focus on boundaries, cities, and significant political features rather than physical terrain. Route maps are intended to illustrate paths or directions for travel and do not typically convey information about elevation. The term "Southern Hemisphere" refers to a geographic region rather than a type of map, and it does not pertain to the characteristics of how elevation is represented. Thus, the characteristics of the relief map make it the appropriate choice for depicting elevation changes.