Interpreting map features

Being able to interpret how topographic features fit together in the landscape gives the user a much deeper understanding of the lay of the land and how to identify where they are and how to move through it.
On topographic maps, contours represent the shape of the land. Contour lines fit together in many different ways, and they form shapes which can be recognised by the user.
Features of the landscape that are useful to know are:
Elevation and steepness
Hills, valleys, depression, gullies, ridges