CONTOUR LINES, SCALES AND SYMBOLS

ON A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP

For more information on this topic check the website

“Canadian Topographic Maps

Maps 101 - Topographic Maps, The Basics”
What are Contours?

Contour lines connect a series of points of equal elevation and are used to illustrate
topography, or relief, on a map. They show the height of ground above Mean Sea
Level (M.S.L.) in either feet or metres and can be drawn at any desired interval. For
example, numerous contour lines that are close together indicate hilly or mountainous
terrain; when far apart, they represent a gentler slope.

Map Scale

What is SCALE?
Maps are made to scale. In each case, the scale represents the ratio of a distance on
the map to the actual distance on the ground. For example, if 2 cm on a map ...

Represents 1 km on the ground ...

the scale would be 2 cm = 1 km, or...

Reading Distances on a Map

Use the Scale Bar found at the bottom of every NRCan topographic map to
determine distances between points or along lines on the map sheet. (Note, the
example below is not to scale.)

Use the secondary division on the left of the Scale Bar for measuring fractions of a
kilometre. The measurement indicated is about 7.5 kilometres or 7 500 metres

Topographic Map Symbols

In cartography, symbols are everything. The very nature of a map as an abstracted
representation of the Earth requires symbols to perform the abstraction. To not have
symbols is to not have maps.

When we first think of symbols, we tend to think of graphics representing elements that
appear at points, like bridges and houses. Symbols can also be linear, representing
such features as roads, railways and rivers. However, we also need to include
representations of area, in the case of forested land or cleared land; this is done
through the use of colour.

The set of symbols and their appropriate use on National Topographic System (NTS)
maps is described by a specific set of rules: Standards and Specifications for
Polychrome Maps. This guide ensures uniform depiction of land features on both 1/50
000 and 1/250 000 maps. However, like other forms of information, maps invariably
undergo change. As an example, the fourth edition of a textbook will not have the
same cover design or table of contents as the first edition. The information will be as
reliable, but will have been reworked in certain places to reflect new findings or
deliver the material in a more accessible fashion. In a similar way, changes are made
to the symbols shown on NTS maps. Newer editions of our 1/50 000 and 1/250 000
maps use symbols which look different from our older maps. These changes reflect
our goal to keep improving the communication qualities of our symbol library. The
similarities between symbols used in an early edition and symbols in a more recent
edition will likely be apparent to you. However, please keep in mind that the best way
to use our maps is to refer to the symbols printed on the back of each sheet.

Because there are only a handful of colours to use and a lot of ground features to be
shown on our topographic maps, the design of every symbol needs to be very
carefully thought through. The list of symbols used on NTS maps is very long. While a
complete list can be found on the back of our maps, the most common symbols are
shown and defined on the following pages:
Feature Name Symbol
Railway - multiple track

Railway - single track

Railway sidings

Railway - rapid transit

Railway - under construction

Railway - abandoned

Railway on road

Railway station

Airfield; Heliport

Airfield, position approximate

Airfield runways; paved, unpaved

Feature Name Symbol
Sports track

Swimming pool

Stadium

Golf course

Golf driving range

Campground; Picnic site

Feature Name Symbol
Road - hard surface, all season

Road - hard surface, all season

Road - loose or stabilized surface, all season

Road - loose surface, dry weather

Rapid transit route, road

 Road under construction
(width and colour vary with classification)
(Feature Name Symbol
Falls

Rapids

Direction of flow arrow

Dry river bed

Stream - intermittent

Sand in Water or Foreshore Flats

Rocky ledge, reef

Flooded area

Marsh, muskeg

Swamp

Well, water or brine; Spring

Rocks in water or small islands

Water elevation
Feature Name Symbol
Tunnel; railway, road

Bridge

Bridge; swing, draw, lift

Footbridge

Causeway

Embankment

Feature Name Symbol

School; Fire station; Police station

Church; Non-Christian place of worship; Shrine

Building

Service centre

Coast Guard station

Cemetary
Feature Name Symbol
Precise elevation

Contours; index, intermediate

 Depression contours

Vehicle track or winter road

Trail or portage

Traffic circle

Highway route number

Maps 101 Assignment
1. What are contour Lines?

2. What does it mean when the contour lines are close together ?

3. What does it mean when the contour lines are far apart?

4. For the diagram below match up the numbers of the contour lines with the letters of the
actual physical landforms. Put the letters of the landmarks in the appropriate spaces below

1. __________ 4. ___________

2. __________ 5. ___________

3. __________ 6. ___________
5. What does scale represent?

6. What would the ratio be if 1 cm represented 1 kilometer, (if 2cm = 1 km , then the ratio is
1:50,000)

7. What would 10 cm (distance on the map) represent on the ground if the scale is 1:20, 000 ?

8. What are the following symbols represent?

A. ____________________

B. ____________________

C. _____________________

D. ____________________

E. ____________________

F. ____________________

G. ____________________

H. ____________________
Maps 101 Word Map
Below draw the map to scale (1:100,000) that is describe by the words and include all the
symbols to indicate landmarks.

There is a river that runs down the middle of the page that is 500m wide from top to
bottom. This river runs into the lake at the southern most point of the map and it is
3km wide. The lake is in a low lying and is surrounded by 500m of swamp around the
east side. Half way down the page there is a road that runs east to west from one side
of the page to the other. The bridge that crosses the river is a single lane bridge. 3 km
west of the river there is a railway track that runs north south the entire length of the
page that stops at the lake on the south end of the page. At the southern most end of
the railway tracks there is a train station on the north shores of the lake. On the other
side of the river 2 km east from the river is a golf course. There is road that is 4 km
long call golf course road move on a bearing of 360 degrees. On the north end of this
road is a golf course that is right beside a cemetery. Between the cemetery and the
river there is a mountain. (Please use the ruler and compass provided on the next
piece of paper to help draw this word map to scale.)