thumb|300px|A traditional topographic map rendered in 3D Traditional maps are abstractions of the real world, a sampling of important elements portrayed on a sheet of paper with symbols to represent physical objects. People who use maps must interpret these symbols. Topographic maps show the shape of land surface with contour lines or with shaded relief.
thumb|300px|A traditional topographic map rendered in 3D Traditional maps are abstractions of the real world, a sampling of important elements portrayed on a sheet of paper with symbols to represent physical objects People who use maps must interpret these symbols Topographic maps show the shape of land surface with contour lines or with shaded relief