Wednesday, 13 August 2014

Topographic Map Symbols
Topographic maps use symbols to represent natural and human constructed features found in the environment. The symbols used to represent features can be of three types: points, lines, and polygons. Points are used to depict features like bridges and buildings. Lines are used to graphically illustrate features that are linear. Some common linear features include roads, railways, and rivers. However, we also need to include representations of area, in the case of forested land or cleared land; this is done through the use of color.
The set of symbols used on Canadian National Topographic System (NTS) maps has been standardized to simplify the map construction process. A description of the complete set of symbols available can be found in a published guide titled: Standards and Specifications for Polychrome Maps. This guide guarantees uniform illustration of surface features on both 1:50 000 and 1:250 000 topographic maps. Despite the existence of this guide, we can find that some topographic maps may use different symbols to depict a feature. This occurs because the symbols used are graphically refined over time - as a result the Standards and Specifications for Polychrome Maps guide is always under revision.
The tables below describe some of the common symbols used on Canadian National Topographic System maps (sourceCentre for Topographic InformationNatural Resources Canada). See the following link for the symbols commonly used on USGS topographic maps.
Transportation Features - Roads and Trails 
Feature NameSymbol
Road - hard surface, all season
Road symbol
Road - hard surface, all season
Road - loose or stabilized surface, all season
Road - loose surface, dry weather
Rapid transit route, road
Road under construction
Vehicle track or winter road
Trail or portage
Traffic circle
Highway route number

Transportation Features - Railways and Airports
Feature NameSymbol
Railway - multiple track
Railway - single track
Railway sidings
Railway - rapid transit
Railway - under construction
Railway - abandoned
Railway on road
Railway station
Airfield; Heliport
Airfield, position approximate
Airfield runways; paved, unpaved

Other Transportation Features - Tunnels, Bridges, etc.
Feature NameSymbol
Tunnel; railway, road
Bridge
Bridge; swing, draw, lift
Footbridge
Causeway
Ford
Cut
Embankment
Snow shed
Barrier or gate

Hydrographic Features - Human Made
Feature NameSymbol
Lock
Dam; large, small
Dam carrying road
Footbridge
Ferry Route
Pier; Wharf; Seawall
Breakwater
Slip; Boat ramp; Drydock
Canal; navigable or irrigation
Canal, abandoned
Shipwreck, exposed
Crib or abandoned bridge pier
Submarine cable
Seaplane anchorage; Seaplane base

Hydrographic Features - Naturally Occurring
Feature NameSymbol
Falls
Rapids
Direction of flow arrow
Dry river bed
Stream - intermittent
Sand in Water or Foreshore Flats
Rocky ledge, reef
Flooded area
Marsh, muskeg
Swamp
Well, water or brine; Spring
Rocks in water or small islands
Water elevation

Terrain Features - Elevation
Feature NameSymbol
Horizontal control point; Bench mark with elevation
Precise elevation
Contours; index, intermediate
Depression contours

Terrain Features - Geology and Geomorphology
Feature NameSymbol
Cliff or escarpment
Esker
Pingo
Sand
Moraine
Quarry
Cave

Terrain Features - Land Cover
Feature NameSymbol
Wooded area
Orchard
Vineyard

Human Activity Symbols - Recreation
Feature Name
Symbol
Sports track
Swimming pool
Stadium
Golf course
Golf driving range
Campground; Picnic site
Ski area, ski jump
Rifle range with butts
Historic site or point of interest; Navigation light
Aerial cableway, ski lift

Human Activity Symbols - Agriculture and Industry
Feature NameSymbol
Silo
Elevator
Greenhouse
Wind-operated device; Mine
Landmark object (with height); tower, chimney, etc.
Oil or natural gas facility
Pipeline, multiple pipelines, control valve
Pipeline, underground
multiple pipelines, underground
Electric facility
Power transmission line
multiple lines
Telephone line
Fence
Crane, vertical and horizontal
Dyke or levee
Firebreak
Cut line

Human Activity Symbols - Buildings
Feature NameSymbol
School; Fire station; Police station
Church; Non-Christian place of worship; Shrine
Building
Service centre
Customs post
Coast Guard station
Cemetery
Ruins
Fort