Contours are lines on a map connecting points of equal elevation above sea level. They provide information about the height of land, difference in height between contours, slope of land determined by contour spacing, and shape of landforms. Contour patterns indicate slope - steep slopes have close contours, gentle slopes have widely spaced contours, and concave and convex slopes have variable spacing that reveals the landform shape.

1. Skill –
C O N T O U R S
Mr Shipp

2. What are they and why are they used?
• Contours are lines joining places of equal elevation above sea level.
• Contours lines provide geographers with information about:
1. Height of the ground above sea level (written on each contour is the
height of the ground above sea level.)
2. The difference in height between two adjacent contours is the contour
interval.
3. Slope of the land – the slope of the land is determined by the spacing
between adjacent contours.
4. Shape of the land – the shape of the land formed by the contour lines
determines particular types of landforms.

6. Patterns to remember about Contours
• Steep slope contours are close together
• Gentle slope contours are widely spaced
• Uniform slope contours are evenly spaced
• Concave slope contours are close together at the centre and
widely spaced at the outer edge
• Convex slope contours are widely spaced at the centre and
close together at the outer edge