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 (source: Centre for Topographic Information, Natural Resources Canada). See the following link for the symbols commonly used on USGS topographic maps.
Transportation Features - Roads and Trails | Feature Name | Symbol |
Road - hard surface, all season
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Road - hard surface, all season
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Road - loose or stabilized surface, all season
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Road - loose surface, dry weather
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Rapid transit route, road
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Road under construction
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Vehicle track or winter road
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Trail or portage
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Traffic circle
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Highway route number
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| Feature Name | Symbol |
Railway - multiple track
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Railway - single track
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Railway sidings
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Railway - rapid transit
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Railway - under construction
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Railway - abandoned
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Railway on road
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Railway station
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Airfield; Heliport
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Airfield, position approximate
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Airfield runways; paved, unpaved
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| Feature Name | Symbol |
Tunnel; railway, road
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Bridge
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Bridge; swing, draw, lift
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Footbridge
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Causeway
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Ford
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Cut
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Embankment
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Snow shed
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Barrier or gate
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| Feature Name | Symbol |
Lock
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Dam; large, small
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Dam carrying road
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Footbridge
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Ferry Route
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Pier; Wharf; Seawall
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Breakwater
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Slip; Boat ramp; Drydock
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Canal; navigable or irrigation
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Canal, abandoned
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Shipwreck, exposed
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Crib or abandoned bridge pier
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Submarine cable
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Seaplane anchorage; Seaplane base
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| Feature Name | Symbol |
Falls
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Rapids
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Direction of flow arrow
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Dry river bed
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Stream - intermittent
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Sand in Water or Foreshore Flats
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Rocky ledge, reef
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Flooded area
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Marsh, muskeg
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Swamp
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Well, water or brine; Spring
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Rocks in water or small islands
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Water elevation
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| Feature Name | Symbol |
Horizontal control point; Bench mark with elevation
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Precise elevation
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Contours; index, intermediate
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Depression contours
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| Feature Name | Symbol |
Cliff or escarpment
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Esker
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Pingo
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Sand
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Moraine
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Quarry
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Cave
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| Feature Name | Symbol |
Wooded area
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Orchard
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Vineyard
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Feature Name
|
Symbol
|
Sports track
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Swimming pool
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Stadium
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Golf course
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Golf driving range
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Campground; Picnic site
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Ski area, ski jump
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Rifle range with butts
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Historic site or point of interest; Navigation light
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Aerial cableway, ski lift
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| Feature Name | Symbol |
Silo
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Elevator
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Greenhouse
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Wind-operated device; Mine
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Landmark object (with height); tower, chimney, etc.
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Oil or natural gas facility
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Pipeline, multiple pipelines, control valve
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Pipeline, underground
multiple pipelines, underground |  |
Electric facility
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Power transmission line
multiple lines |  |
Telephone line
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Fence
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Crane, vertical and horizontal
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Dyke or levee
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Firebreak
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Cut line
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| Feature Name | Symbol |
School; Fire station; Police station
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Church; Non-Christian place of worship; Shrine
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Building
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Service centre
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Customs post
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Coast Guard station
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Cemetery
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Ruins
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Fort
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