What does the brown color represent on older maps?

The brown color on older maps is specifically used to represent relief features and elevation. This coloration is a standard convention in topographic mapping, where brown shades correspond to landforms such as hills, mountains, and other elevation changes. The use of varying shades of brown indicates different heights above sea level, with darker shades often representing higher elevations. This is particularly important for navigation and geographic understanding, as it allows users to visualize the terrain they are navigating over.

In contrast, vegetation is typically represented by green, cultural features might appear in shades of black or purple depending on the map's style, and hydrography (like rivers and lakes) is usually depicted in blue. Understanding the color coding of maps is vital for effective land navigation, ensuring that one can accurately interpret topographical information and plan routes accordingly.