TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

Topography is the study of the features and shape of the Earth's surface, and topographic maps represent this surface. 

Included in a topographic map is a map scale, vertical scale, and contour lines. A map scale cover areas from a block, a city, on the entire Earth, while a vertical scale allows the determination of a point in 3-D space. The contour lines are lines that are made from connecting points of equal elevation.

Topographic map of Metro Manila

A screenshot of a part of Metro Manila taken from Google Maps

Streams in topographic maps are easy to identify as they are represented by blue lines. Streams are found in local topographic lows. When contour lines run down the streams, they form V-shape patterns and point uphill.

Rerefences:

http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/geog/basics/topo.htm

http://faculty.chemeketa.edu/afrank1/topo_maps/streams.htm

http://weather.gladstonefamily.net/topoweb/guide.html