Contour lines on a topographic map are typically what color and what do they connect?

• A. Brown Lines Connecting Points of Equal Elevation
• B. Blue Lines Indicating Water Features
• C. Red Lines Showing Administrative Boundaries
• D. Black Dashed Lines Indicating Trails

Answer: (A)

Contour lines show elevation by connecting points at the same height above sea level. They are typically brown on most topographic maps, which helps them stand out against water features and labels. Each line represents a specific elevation, so moving along a contour keeps your altitude constant. The spacing between lines tells you how steep the terrain is: close lines mean a steep slope, wide gaps mean a gentle slope. Contour lines form closed loops around hills or depressions and never cross each other. Other map features use blue for water features, red for boundaries or major roads, and black dashed lines for trails. This combination lets you quickly read the shape of the land and judge how difficult terrain might be to traverse.