MILITARY MAPS AND THE COLORS USED

• MAP - a graphic representation of a portion of the earth’s surface drawn to scale. It uses colors, symbols, and labels to represent features found on the ground.
• Map reading - is the process of decoding the symbols from

  which a map is constructed, and forming them into a

  meaningful mental image.
• COLORS USED ON A MILITARY MAP

  • BLACK
  • RED-BROWN
  • BLUE
  • GREEN
  • BROWN
  • RED
• BLACK – indicates cultural (man-made) features such as buildings and roads, surveyed spot elevations, and all labels.
• RED-BROWN – the colors red and brown are combined to identify

  cultural features, all relief features, non-surveyed spot elevations and

  elevation, such as contour lines on red-light readable maps.
• BLUE – identifies hydrography or water features such as lakes,

  swamps, rivers, and drainage.
• GREEN - identifies vegetation with military significance, such as

  woods, orchard, and vineyard.
• BROWN - identifies all relief features and elevations, such as contours

  and cultivated land on red-light readable maps.
• RED – Classifies cultural features, such as populated areas, main

  roads, and boundaries.
• Other – Occasionally, other colors may be used to show special information . These are indicated in the marginal information as a rule.