What kind of information do topographic maps provide?

Topographic maps are specifically designed to represent the three-dimensional features of the terrain on a two-dimensional surface. They provide detailed information about elevation, which is crucial for understanding the landscape's height and contour. The lines on a topographic map, known as contour lines, connect points of equal elevation, demonstrating how steep or flat an area is. This detail allows users to infer features such as mountains, valleys, and plateaus, as well as how the terrain might impact activities such as hiking, building, or land development.

In contrast, the other options focus on aspects that are not represented in topographic maps. Highways and roads are typically just one feature among many shown on different types of maps, but they don't encompass the primary purpose of a topographic map. Information about local wildlife and climate or weather data are relevant to environmental studies but fall outside the scope of what topographic maps aim to showcase. Thus, option B is the most accurate answer, as it clearly reflects the key aspects that topographic maps are designed to convey.