korkeusviivat
Korkeusviivat, also known as contour lines, are lines on a topographic map that connect points of equal elevation. They are used to represent the shape of the terrain and the relative heights of different locations. Each contour line represents a specific elevation, and the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines is known as the contour interval. The closer the contour lines are to each other, the steeper the slope of the terrain. Conversely, widely spaced contour lines indicate a gentler slope. Contour lines never cross each other, as this would imply that a single location has two different elevations, which is not possible. Instead, they form closed loops around hills and mountains, and they may be dashed or dotted to indicate depressions or valleys. Contour lines are an essential tool for understanding and navigating the landscape, and they are widely used in fields such as geology, cartography, and outdoor recreation.