map feature crossword – All Crossword Answers
Stuck on "map feature crossword"? You've come to the right place! Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of solutions for this tricky clue, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "map feature crossword" by Letter Count
4 Letters
PEAK: A pointed summit of a mountain or hill, clearly marked on topographic maps.
LAKE: A large body of water surrounded by land, a common blue feature on maps.
5 Letters
RIVER: A natural flowing watercourse, typically depicted as a winding blue line on maps.
RIDGE: A long, narrow elevation of land, often shown by close contour lines.
6 Letters
VALLEY: A low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river or stream running through it.
7 Letters
CONTOUR: A line on a map joining points of equal elevation above a given level, crucial for depicting terrain.
ISLANDS: Bodies of land completely surrounded by water, often represented by distinct shapes.
8 Letters
BOUNDARY: A line indicating the limit or division between areas, such as countries, states, or property lines.
MOUNTAIN: A large natural elevation of the Earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.
9 Letters
CONTINENT: One of the Earth's large, continuous landmasses, a primary feature on world maps.
More About "map feature crossword"
Map features are fundamental to geography and cartography, representing various elements of the Earth's surface on a two-dimensional plane. From natural formations like mountains, rivers, lakes, and coastlines to human-made structures such as cities, roads, and national borders, these features are essential for navigation, planning, and understanding our world. In crosswords, clues about map features can range from straightforward geographical terms to more obscure or nuanced cartographic concepts, often testing your general knowledge and vocabulary.
Understanding the different types of map features—whether they are physical (like a "peak" or "valley"), political (like a "boundary"), or abstract (like a "contour" line representing elevation)—is key to solving these types of clues. Crossword setters love to play on the double meanings or less common synonyms of these terms, so always consider the context of the puzzle and the number of letters required. A "map feature" might not always be a grand landmass; it could be something as small as an "islet" or as specific as a "latitude" line.
The beauty of map features in crosswords lies in their versatility. They can appear in clues related to geography, travel, history, or even more abstract themes. Developing a strong mental database of geographical terms and their definitions will undoubtedly give you an edge when encountering such clues in your next puzzle challenge. Always keep an atlas or a digital map handy if you're truly stumped!
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Scale: "Map feature" can refer to anything from a continent to a small island. Think about features visible on different scales of maps (e.g., global, national, local).
- Look for Synonyms and Wordplay: A "map feature" might not be literally "river." It could be a synonym like "watercourse" or a term used in a double sense, like "point" for a cape or peak.
- Check Letter Count: The number of letters is your biggest clue. If it's a short answer, think of common, concise features (e.g., PEAK, LAKE). For longer answers, consider more complex terms (e.g., CONTINENT, HEMISPHERE).
- Distinguish Natural vs. Man-Made: Maps show both natural topography (mountains, oceans) and human infrastructure (roads, cities, borders). Determine which category the clue hints at.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common map features found in crosswords?
Common map features include natural elements like rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, and man-made elements such as roads, cities, borders, and contour lines. Crossword clues often play on these various aspects.
How can I identify map features in a crossword clue?
Look for keywords like "geographic," "terrain," "cartographic," "topographic," or references to specific map elements. The clue might describe the function or appearance of the feature, or even use wordplay related to maps.
Are "map feature" clues usually straightforward?
They can be, but sometimes they use wordplay. For instance, a "peak" could be a mountain top or a high point in a graph. A "sound" could be a body of water or a noise. Always consider both the literal geographic meaning and any potential double meanings or synonyms that fit the letter count.