What do the contour lines on a topographic map indicate? the direction water flows lines of equal elevation which way a hill slopes the peak of a mountain

Contour lines on a topographic map are like the stage curtains of the land's topography, revealing lines of equal elevation. They help you visualize the shape and height of the terrain, making it easier to understand the lay of the land without having to hike through it! When the lines are close together, it indicates a steep incline; when they're spaced out, the slope is more gradual. Additionally, contour lines can also hint at water flow direction. Water typically flows downhill, and you can infer the flow by observing the V-shaped bend of contour lines; when they point uphill, water is flowing downhill towards the open end of the "V." It's like nature's roadmap for understanding how water carves its path through the landscape!