What is terrain?

Terrain refers to the physical features of the earth's surface that shape its landscape. It encompasses elements such as elevation, relief, slope, and soil characteristics. When considered in a broader sense, terrain also includes natural features like hills, valleys, plateaus, rivers, and other landforms. Topographic maps serve as valuable tools in describing and analyzing various aspects of terrain and play a crucial role in different fields like geography, environmental studies, landscape architecture, civil engineering, and more.