On a military map, what color illustrates the relief features, such as the vertical elevation of the terrain on a map as seen from above?

• A. Red
• B. Black
• C. Green
• D. Brown

Answer: (D)

Relief depiction on a military map is shown in brown. This color is reserved for elevation features, including contour lines and spot elevations, which convey the terrain’s shape and height when viewed from above. The other colors serve different purposes—blue for water, green for vegetation, black for man-made features, and red for major roads and built-up areas—so brown is the one that best communicates vertical terrain. The contour lines in brown let you gauge elevation, identify ridges and valleys, and judge slope steepness where lines crowd together.