What term describes the difference in elevation between two points on a map?

The term that describes the difference in elevation between two points on a map is "relief." Relief specifically refers to the variations in elevation and terrain features of a landscape, depicting how high or low different areas are in relation to one another. When looking at a topographical map, relief can be visually represented through contour lines, shading, or hillshades, allowing for an understanding of the physical landscape.

In contrast, gradient refers to the slope between two points, scale defines the relationship between distance on a map and the actual distance on the ground, and altitude indicates the height of a point above a specific reference point, usually sea level. While these terms are related to topography and elevation, relief uniquely captures the concept of differential elevation across a specific area.