What type of map would best illustrate landforms and elevation changes?

A topographic map is designed specifically to illustrate the physical landscape of an area, showcasing landforms and elevation changes in detail. It utilizes contour lines to depict elevation, allowing for an accurate representation of terrain features such as hills, valleys, and plains. These contour lines connect points of equal elevation and help in understanding the gradient and steepness of the land.

In addition to contour lines, topographic maps often include symbols to represent other features like roads, rivers, and vegetation, making them valuable for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and land use planning. Their detailed representation of elevation changes is essential for tasks requiring precise topographic knowledge, such as civil engineering, architecture, and environmental studies.

Other types of maps serve different purposes. A political map primarily focuses on boundaries, cities, and political divisions without providing detailed information on topography. A climate map illustrates temperature and precipitation patterns over an area, not landforms or elevations, while a geological map indicates the distribution of different rock types and geological features, which may include some elevation detail but not in a way that emphasizes the landforms as topographic maps do.