Topographical maps detail the lay of the land.
A topo map identifies both man-made and natural ground features through the use of colours, scales, grids, contour lines, and numerous symbols. Through the use of symbols one can locate, buildings, churches, schools, campgrounds, ski areas, historical sites, golf courses, highways, secondary and side roads, bridges, railways, powerlines, cut lines, and dams. One should also pay close attention to the contour lines which depict the elevation of the surrounding area. Six index maps of the National Topographical System of Canada are used to cover all of Canada. These are used as a very general guide in pinpointing the area, and thus the map, of interest.