1. Topographic Maps

2. What is a Topographic Map?
A topographic map shows the shapes and elevations (the height) of land with contour lines
Contour lines: lines that connect places with the same elevations
For example, if the number 5 is written on a contour line of a topographic map, you know that every place along that line is 5 metres high.

3. Zero is sea level
Highest point

4. What’s On a Topographic Map
Built-Up Areas: roads, buildings, urban development, boundaries, railways, power lines
Water: lakes, rivers, streams, swamps, rapids
Relief: mountains, valleys, slopes, depressions
Vegetation: wooded and cleared areas, vineyards and orchards
Labels: place names, water feature names, highway names

5. Who Uses These? People use topographic maps for: Engineering
Conservation
Environmental management
Urban planning
Outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, or camping

6. Draw the outline of the mountain

7. Contour Intervals and Index Contours
Contour interval: the space between the contour lines.
Index Contour: Every fifth contour line labelled and wider than the other lines.

8. The Spacing Between Contour Lines
If the contours are close together, you're looking at a steep slope.
If the contours have wide spaces in between -- or aren't there at all -- the terrain is relatively flat.
Contour lines never cross or touch each other

9. Shading
Besides just the colour, patterns can be used to show certain features

10. Symbols

11. Forks of the Credit

12. Mt Everest

13. Topographic Toronto
Select “Topographic” under Basemap option

14. Topographic Map Answers
1. Contour interval = 20 m
2. Elevation of Hill B = 220 m
3. Direction of Blue River = Northeast – it flows into the ocean
4. don’t bother
5. Elevation of Point F = 160 m
6. Lowest elevation on map = shoreline 0 m
7. Steepest side of Pine Peak = Southeast slope
8. Elevation of nearest line to bridge = 120 m

15. Practicing contour lines

16. Practice Tips
Start at either the highest or lowest number you can find
Connect numbers that are the same, draw your line right over the numbers
Your line can only go between two numbers (one that is higher than it and one that is lower than it)
If there are no numbers available to connect with it – you can either turn it back on itself and make a circular shape, or lead it off the page if you can
Contour lines bend upstream and form a V when crossing a stream

17. 6. Contour lines can cross small streams but not wider bodies of water 7. Contour lines can’t cross each other 8. Rivers always flow in the opposite direction from the way the contour lines bend (the V points uphill/upstream) 9. Water flows downhill 10. If you see contour lines with hashmarks on them, it is showing a depression (a decrease in elevation)

18. Drawing Contour Lines Worksheet - Answers