Topographic Maps
Last updated on July 13, 2022The distinctive characteristic of a topographic map is the use of elevation contour lines to show the shape of the Earth's surface. Topographic maps also show many other kinds of geographic features including roads, railroads, rivers, streams, lakes, boundaries, place or feature names, mountains, and more.
Product Details
Topographic maps are available in three scales: 1:20,000, 1:250,000 and 1:2,000,000.
Click the expandable buttons below to see more information about them and how to acquire them.
1:20,000 Topographic Maps
The 1:20,000 scale topographic maps are derived from Terrain Resource Information Management (TRIM) 1:20,000 topographic data. As TRIM files are updated, so are the corresponding raster topographic maps.
The Province of B.C. is covered by 7027 of these map sheets. The maps contain base data such as roads, streams, lakes, wetlands, glaciers, coastlines and other features in colour against the greyscale background, which may appear pixelated when zoomed in.
How to Acquire
Topographic maps (1:20,000) can be ordered from the Base Map Online Store:
A directory of map files, listed by format and by maptile, is available from DataBC:
Specifications:
Pixel Size: 2 metres
Background colour: Greyscale, hillshaded
Elevation grid: 25 metres
Image formats: TIFF, PDF
Projection: UTM, BC Albers
1:250,000 Topographic Maps
The 1:250,000 scale topographic maps are derived from the 1:250,000 Canadian National Topographic System (NTS) base maps. They were produced by scanning layers of the federal paper map series.
The Province of B.C. is covered by 89 of these map sheets. With an appearance similar to the 1:20,000 series of maps, the 1:250,000 raster topographic maps are appropriate where a higher level, less detailed view is required.
Topographic maps (1:250,000) can be ordered from the Base Map Online Store:
A directory of map files, listed by format and by maptile, is available from DataBC:
Specifications:
Pixel Size: 10 metres
Background colour: Greyscale, hillshaded
Elevation grid: 25 metres
Image formats: TIFF, PDF
Projection: UTM, BC Albers
1:2,000,000 Topographic Map
Derived from various provincial sources, a single 1:2,000,000 scale topographic map is available for download.
How to Aquire
The Topographic map (1:2,000,000) can be downloaded here PDF and TIFF
Specifications:
Pixel Size: 100 metres
Background colour: Greyscale, hillshaded
Elevation grid: 200 metres
Image formats: TIFF, PDF
Projection: BC Albers
Pricing
Digital topographic maps (any scale) have no cost.
Allowable Reproduction
Anyone is allowed to print off one copy of these maps for personal use without permission from the Province of British Columbia.
Licence & Ownership
Copyright © 2013, Province of British Columbia. All rights reserved. This material is owned by the Government of British Columbia and protected by copyright law. It may not be reproduced or redistributed without the prior written permission of the Province of British Columbia.
It is recommended that users understand the Base Map Online Store instructions and policies before making an order.
Digital raster base maps of B.C. are produced by GeoBC.