What are contour lines?

• A. Lines showing land ownership
• B. Lines indicating slope direction
• C. Lines representing political boundaries
• D. Imaginary lines on the ground connecting equal elevation

Answer: (D)

Contour lines are imaginary lines on a map that connect points of equal elevation, letting you see the shape of the land without being there. They reveal hills, valleys, and how steep the terrain is—closely spaced lines mean a steep slope, while widely spaced lines indicate a gentler slope. They don’t represent land ownership or political boundaries, which are shown by other map features. Closed loops usually indicate a hill or a depression, and the numbers along the lines show the elevation they represent, typically above mean sea level. Reading contour lines helps you understand terrain and plan navigation and actions in the field.