Want to know just how tall Mount Everest is? Or what the city of Denver's elevation is? Then look at a topographic map! These maps use lines to show the height and shape of Earth's surface. But how do you read the lines? And what other features do these maps have? Read on to learn the ins and outs of topographic maps!

Tracy Nelson Maurer has published more than 100 titles for children and young adults, including many nonfiction books for schools and libraries. Tracy holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University and lives with her family near Minneapolis, Minnesota. Find her on Facebook or Twitter, or at TracyMaurerWriter.com.