A contour map is a type of map that shows the shape and height of the land using lines called contour lines, instead of using a 3D picture of hills and valleys. Each contour line connects points that are at the same elevation, so following one line would keep you at the same height above sea level.

Basic idea

  • A contour map represents 3D terrain (hills, valleys, slopes) on a flat, 2D surface.
  • Lines on the map show where the ground is at the same height, helping visualize the land’s shape and steepness.

How contour lines work

  • Contour lines join points of equal elevation, so every point on one line is the same height.
  • The vertical height difference between neighboring lines is called the contour interval (for example, every 10 meters).
  • Close lines mean a steep slope; widely spaced lines mean a gentle slope.

What contour maps show

  • Landforms like hills (concentric closed lines with elevations increasing inward), valleys, ridges, and depressions.
  • The overall topography: where it is high or low, and how quickly the height changes.
  • On many topographic maps, contour lines are combined with colors, shading, roads, rivers, and buildings to give more context.

Where contour maps are used

  • Hiking and outdoor navigation, to see how tough a route will be based on slope and elevation.
  • Engineering and construction, to plan roads, drainage, and building sites on uneven ground.
  • Environmental work and planning, such as flood studies, erosion control, and land-use planning.

Quick recap (TL;DR)

  • A contour map is a 2D map that uses lines of equal elevation to represent 3D terrain.
  • The spacing and shape of these lines tell you how steep the land is and what landforms are present.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.