• Blue –water, lakes, rivers, streams, etc. The names of bodies of water and water courses are also shown in blue, as are magnetic declination and UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) grid information.

• Brown - contour lines, contour elevations, spot elevations, sand.

• Green - areas with substantial vegetation like a forest, orchard, or vineyard

• Grey - used on back of map where different symbols and a glossary of terms and abbreviations can be found.

• Orange - unpaved roads and unclassified roads and streets.

• Purple - features added to map since original survey. These features are based on aerial photographs but have not been checked on land.

• Red - major highways; boundaries of public land areas. A red tint is used to show an urban development.

• White - areas with little or no vegetation; also used to depict permanent snowfields and glaciers

Topographic Maps Glossary

• Bearing - Angular direction expressed in degrees.

• Contour Lines – A line on a map joining points of equal elevation. These lines are used to illustrate relief on a map.

• Distortion - The difference in shape between actual curved surface of earth and flat representation of a topographic map.

• Grid - A system of horizontal and vertical lines that provide coordinates for locating points on an image.

• Magnetic Declination - The angle between magnetic north and true north, expressed in degrees and minutes, east or west from true north.

• Magnetic North - The direction your compass needle points.

• Projection - A method by which curved shape of earth is represented on a flat surface, overcoming distortion.

• Relief – The variations in elevation of earth’s surface.

• Scale – The relationship between distance on a map and corresponding distance on ground. For example, a map with a scale of 1:50,000 means that 1 unit of measurement on map equals 50,000 equivalent units on ground.

• Topographic Map – An illustration of earth’s different elevation levels by means of contour lines. They present both natural and manmade features.

• True North - Direction of northern rotational axis of earth – North Pole.

Outdoors Adventurer, Writer and Webmaster Will Robertson lives with his family in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Benidorm and Doliphins at Mundomar Marine Animal Park Do you enjoy water and its interesting animal kingdom but prefer to beon land? Then Mundomar (Seaworld) Marine Animal park is your best bet. Allof us have read adventure stories about dolphins and feel that they are ourfriends, well it’s time to visit them. Here we can see silly anticsof these adorable sea creatures close up. Or chat up a conversation with thecolourful parrots. The elegance and grace is personified with exhibitionof flamingos, so pink! Who has not had a turtle in their home as a pet, butto see ones that you could probably ride is another surprise. But, are youstill even more curious and want to see what marine world is like underthe water. Well, we can all become Ariel, or Sebastian as in Little Mermaidbook and go down into a ship and have a look around sea bottom. Refreshmentsand resting places are abundant. It is open at 10:00 a.m., adults are 18 euros,children 3-12 years old 12 euros and under 3 are free. The entrance is nearthe cross roads of Avenue Mediterranean and Avenue Europe. Do not miss this amazing experience!

Between Calpe Pego and Oliva: The Vergel Park If your travels have taken you along coast heading towards Valencia,then it would be well worth making a stop off highway A-7 exit no. 61 passing Calpe, which indicates towns of Pego and Oliva and just follow signsto this safari park, found near Ondara. There are all kinds of wild animalsto be touched, fed and observed. For a little extra fun time activity, thekids can let their hair fly in wind when riding a go kart, mini train orponies. There are even some marine animals like dolphins and sea lions. Itis a relaxing and educational day excursion for whole family. It is onlyopen in summer from 10:00 in morning til 7:00 in evening.

Looking at this huge selection of theme parks and tourist attractions around Benidorm and Costa Blanca, you certainly will find your favourite one onyour next holidays around spanish coast. Make your stay in Benidorm a complete one and visit each and every one, all unique.