Cartographic relief depiction#Hypsometric tints

A relief map is a topographic map, which shows the relief of the three-dimensional shape of the surface in a two-dimensional representation. With this type of card making a plastic-looking clarity is to be achieved.

In the history of cartography, the problem of the level representation with different methods was trying to solve. In early maps such as the Tabula Peutingeriana you took to represent elevations heap -like signatures to help. It was only with the advances in geometry and cartography of the early modern period, the height representation developed further - including the plastic shade. The not yet or insufficiently measured height ratios sought to depict graphically by approximate radiopaque. In the 19th century, especially hachuring for more graphic depiction of terrain were used. In the school atlases the physical map with regional colors was introduced in the late 19th century.

In classical maps cartography terrain on the other hand, takes place in contour lines, since the beginning of the 20th century usually complemented by a hint of shading to the relative height differences. Contour lines alone convey to the untrained observer little the plasticity of the surfaces shown. On the other hand reliefs on maps can lead to ideas that differ greatly from the object.

The term relief map is used in the school system for the relief in question school maps of different shapes and types: