What are the five major terrain features?

The identification of the five major terrain features is critical in understanding military operations and geographical navigation. The correct answer, which includes hill, valley, depression, ridge, and saddle, represents fundamental features that are essential for both tactical planning and terrain analysis.

Each of these features plays a vital role in military tactics:

• A hill is an elevated area which can provide a significant advantage in visibility and strategic positioning.

• A valley is a low area between hills or mountains, often forming routes for movement or hindered visibility for defense.

• A depression is a sunken area, which may serve as cover or concealment.

• A ridge acts as a long, narrow elevation which can be advantageous for controlling movement and sightlines.

• A saddle is a dip between two higher areas, often seen as a natural passageway or low point that can influence movement.

Understanding these features helps military personnel analyze the battlefield effectively, allowing them to make informed decisions about navigation, cover, and strategic positions.

The other options consist of terms that are indeed related to geography and terrain but do not encompass the five major terrain features widely recognized for military applications. Each of the other groups represents different geographical features, but they lack the universal applicability and importance of the selected five in military contexts.