Finding the height of an area on the Map

The ups and downs of the land or shape of the land’s surface are shown in several
ways. Height above the sea level is shown on survey maps using contour lines, spot
heights, trigonometrical stations and benchmarks.
Contour lines
These are lines that join places of the same height on the map. Contour lines show
three things about the land.
• The height of the land above sea level
• The slope of the land or the shape of the land called relief
• Features of the land or the landforms
On most maps today contours are numbered in metres. Each contour line has a
number at the end and that number represents the height above sea level(sometimes
called contour interval which varies but it is often 10 to 20 metres). Contour lines are
usually brown. Important contours are shown by a bold line.

Learning Tip
• When contour lines are equally spaced show an even slope (gentle slope)
• When the contours are very close together the land is very steep(when the
land is too steep for contour lines a symbol for a cliff is used).
• The absence of contour lines shows a flat land.
• When contour lines are close together at the top (upper locations) and get
further apart in the lower areas this suggests a concave slope.

• When contour lines are close together at the bottom and far apart at the top,
this suggests a convex slope.
A Spot height
This is a black dot with a number beside it, this number represents the height above
sea level. The spot height is marked on maps along some roads and on the top of
some hills. Spot height are not to be seen on the ground.

A Trigonometrical station/beacon,
This is a small triangle that has two numbers. The number that is preceded by the
letter T is the number of the trigonometrical beacon, while the number below
represents the height above sea level. It is painted in black and white and can be seen
on top of prominent hills or kopjes.
NB, A benchmark is also used to find height but very few map makers use them. They
are common along main roads and are shown on the ground by concrete blocks with
a sign and precise height.