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.

Find out more about the Scale, UTM Projection, and Symbols used on NTS maps.