Which color on a topographic map indicates contour lines?

On a topographic map, contour lines are represented by the color brown. These lines connect points of equal elevation, allowing users to visualize the terrain's relief, such as hills, valleys, and slopes. The choice of brown is standard practice in cartography, as it provides a clear contrast against the other colors used for different map features, thereby enhancing readability.

Contour lines help in understanding the topography of the landscape, allowing for better navigation and planning. By distinguishing elevations, users can interpret the steepness of terrain and identify various landforms.

While black is often used for roads and other man-made features, green typically represents vegetation areas, and blue represents water bodies such as lakes and rivers. Each color has a specific purpose that contributes to the overall function of a topographic map, but brown specifically denotes the contour lines essential for understanding elevation changes.