Contour Lines A method used on maps and landscape plans to show the “lay of the land” or topography (slopes, depressions, etc.)

Contour Lines are curves that connect points of equal elevation. Each contour line on a map has a number that represents the elevation of the line (usually the height above sea level).

Contour Lines are a two dimensional representation of a three dimensional object.

The Contour Interval is the change in elevation between two contour lines. If the contour interval of the map below is 20 meters, how high is Wildcat Mountain?

Key Points: every point along a contour line represents the same elevation contour lines NEVER split or divide contour lines cannot just stop…they must either form a closed loop, or run off the edge of the map contour lines NEVER, EVER cross the closer together the contour lines appear, the steeper the grade

Try and match the map representations on the left with the actual topography on the right Answers: 1 - B 2 - E 3 - D 4 - C 5 - F 6 - A