a representation of information used to describe and navigate information objects
a separate document independent from the information objects it describes
tool for representation of model-based data on the web for enhanced access. Topic maps are based on topics, associations and occurrences. In comparison with RDF, topic maps are developed separately from the documents they refer to.
Topic maps organize sets of information as a structured semantic link network. The nodes are topics, each topic representing a subject - person, place, concept. These are connected through associations, and will have occurrences.
Topic maps are an ISO standard for the representation and interchange of knowledge, with an emphasis on the findability of information. The standard is formally known as ISO/IEC 13250:2003.