Maps use scale differently to show information by depicting the size and distances between locations in a way that is proportional to reality. One example of this is a topographic map, which uses contour lines to show the elevation changes of a landscape. The scale on a topographic map allows users to determine the steepness of slopes and the height of mountain peaks based on the spacing and configuration of the contour lines. By using a specific scale, topographic maps can accurately represent the three-dimensional features of the terrain in a two-dimensional format.
