Contour Calculation Skills

Contour lines on Ordnance survey maps

• Contours are used to show height

• They are always orange/light brown

• On a map each contour is 1:25,000 – each contour shows a gain of 10 metres in height.

• The closer the contours the steeper the slope.

• Contours are always circular. (the height of a standard 2 storey house)

Height of house

Contours

Side View

Top

Sea level

Contours and landscapes

Contours and landscapes

Contours and landscapes

Contours and landscapes

Examples of landscapes

Contours and landscapes

A

B A

Comparing images