How are red and brown colors used on a map?

On a map, red and brown colors serve distinct purposes that can often be confused. Red is primarily used to indicate cultural features such as populated areas, roads, boundaries, and other man-made structures. These features are essential for understanding human geography and navigation in relation to infrastructure.

Brown, on the other hand, is specifically used for illustrating contour lines and elevation. This color outlines changes in terrain, helping to visualize landforms such as hills and valleys. Elevation is crucial for understanding the geographical layout, especially for activities like hiking, planning military movements, or any navigational purposes.

While cultural features are indicated in red, and elevation is represented in brown, the combination of these colors aids users in comprehensively understanding both the human and natural landscapes presented on the map.