Contour lines are curved, straight or a mixture of both lines on a map describing the intersection of a real or hypothetical surface with one or more horizontal planes.

contour line, a line on a map representing an imaginary line on the land surface, all points of which are at the same elevation above a datum plane, usually mean sea level.

DEFINITION: Contour lines connect points of equal elevation, showing how high or steep the terrain is on a map.

Each contour line represents a constant elevation above sea level, and together they sketch the invisible architecture of hills, ridges, basins, and plateaus. For centuries, surveyors and …

Jan 7, 2026 · Contour lines are a fundamental method in cartography used to translate the Earth’s three-dimensional surface onto a flat, two-dimensional map. They allow map readers to …

Every point on a contour line is of the exact same elevation. In other words, contour lines connect points of equal elevation. By definition, contour lines separate points of higher elevation from …

Jun 16, 2025 · A contour line is an imaginary line connecting points of equal elevation on a map, essentially representing the shape of the Earth’s surface at a specific level.

A contour line is a line on a map that connects points of equal elevation above a specific level, usually sea level. These lines are crucial for understanding the topography of an area, as they …

Contour lines are crucial in cartography because they allow us to represent 3D terrain on a 2D surface. Without them, maps would be flat and wouldn’t provide any information about the …

Contour lines are what allow topographic maps to show the three-dimensional configuration (i.e., topography) of the Earth’s surface. Sea level is accepted worldwide as the zero contour line, …