A topographic map is a map which shows the actual shape of the landscape and the various heights of the landscape. The map allows geographers to see the height and shape of the land by using contour lines. 

Topographic maps show in detail both the natural and human features of the landscape.  Natural features include rivers, lakes, and beaches.  Human features include roads, towns and dams.  Topographic maps use conventional signs and symbols to show water, rivers, vegetation, roads, railways and buildings.  The meaning of each sign or symbol is explained in a key.  Different colours are also used on a topographic map to indicate certain features, for example,

• Brown is used for natural features, including contours
• Blue is used for all water and river features
• Green is used for vegetation and ground cover
• Black and Red are used for human features such as roads, railways and buildings.

Topographic maps also use line to help us locate places on the map.  These vertical and horizontal lines are called area references.  They are similar to the lines of latitude and longitude found in an atlas.  Each line is numbered and the numbers get higher as you move from west to east and from south to north.  The reference number is listed as the number on the horizontal axis, then the number on the vertical axis.  For example, something located at reference 4051 occupies the area in the square 4051, 40 on the horizontal axis and 51 on the vertical axis - square 4051 is where the two lines meet.

Contours are lines that join together all points that have the same height above sea level.  The contour lines that appear on a topographic map help to give us a good idea of the physical features of the landscape.  Contour lines are plotted by using vertical aerial photographs. 

Contour lines show the height and slope of the land.  The numbers on the contours represent how high above sea level the land is.  When contour lines are close together the slope of the land is steep, when they are further apart the slope of the land is gentle.

The contour interval is the difference in height between the contour lines.