What is a line on a topographic map that connects points of equal elevation called?

A line on a topographic map that connects points of equal elevation is called a contour line. Contour lines represent the three-dimensional shape of the terrain on a two-dimensional map. Each line indicates a specific elevation, meaning that any point along the line shares the same height above sea level. This is essential for visualizing the landscape, as it allows users to understand slopes, hills, valleys, and other landforms. The spacing of contour lines also provides insight into the steepness of the terrain; closely spaced lines indicate a steep slope, while widely spaced lines suggest more gentle gradients.

The other options refer to different concepts. Raster refers to a grid of pixels used in digital imaging, which does not convey elevation directly. Vector is a term used for data that represents features with coordinates and attributes, commonly used in GIS but not specifically for elevation representation. A Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) is a method for representing a surface in a 3D environment using triangles formed by connecting points of known elevation, but it’s not the same as contour lines on a map. Thus, the recognition of contour lines is crucial for interpreting topographic maps effectively.