Contents

• How Do I Find an NTS Map for a Specific Area??
• Finding Adjoining Maps
• Circulation and Copying
• When You Are Finished Using the NTS Maps
• Retail Sources

A topographic map portrays and identifies features of the earth's surface as precisely as possible within the limitations imposed by scale. Topographic maps depict relief, drainage, forest cover, administrative boundaries, populated places, transportation routes, and other cultural features.

The National Topographic System (NTS) provides topographic map coverage of Canada at the following scales: 1:500,000, 1:250,000, 1:125,000, 1:50,000, and 1:25,000. The University Map Library has a complete collection of maps published at the various scales. The extent of the coverage of Canada at the various scales is shown below.

1:500,000	Coverage of Canada is complete; series discontinued, replaced by air charts.
1:250,000	Coverage of Canada is complete.
1:125,000	Limited coverage, mainly tourist areas; series discontinued.
1:50,000	Coverage of Canada is complete except for some Arctic areas.
1:25,000	Limited coverage, heavily populated areas including parts of southern Ontario; series discontinued.

The 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 series are the only current NTS series.

How Do I Find an NTS Map for a Specific Area?

Access to NTS maps is achieved by means of map indexes. This publication is a guide to using those indexes and other related tools to locate specific NTS maps at the various scales. Further information and assistance are available from staff at the Map Library's Public Services Desk.

Step 1: Locate the index

Three folded indexes, which cover different areas of Canada, are kept on the text shelf:

• Index 1 eastern Canada
• Index 2 western Canada
• Index 3 northern Canada

Select the appropriate index for your area. On the index shelf are 2 different coloured editions of each index: a pink 1991 index and a green 1988 index. The pink 1991 index is the most recent edition available; it indexes maps that are currently available for sale. For the discontinued series, use the green 1988 index. Once unfolded, the index to the 1:50,000 maps is shown on one side. Indexes to the 1:250,000 and other series are shown on the other side.

Step 2: Locate your area on the index, using a gazetteer

A gazetteer is a list of place names with latitude and longitude coordinates. These coordinates can be used to locate your area of interest on the NTS index. Canadian gazetteers for each province and territory are located on the shelves beside the text shelf (Ref FC2156.G3x UMD to Ref FC4156.G3x UMD). The Canadian gazetteers also identify the NTS number for 1:50,000 maps.

Step 3: Record the NTS map number from the index

Each grid cell on the index indicates a map sheet. Within each cell, the NTS number is listed, along with a 2-digit number indicating the year of publication of the map.

E.g.: The NTS map number for the Guelph 1:50,000 sheet (published in 1985) is 40P/9.

Step 4: Find the specific map in the collection

The NTS maps are organized in sequence according to scale in the vertical map cabinets. Within the cabinets, maps are filed in numerical order by NTS number. Individual NTS map numbers are printed on the top right corner of each map. Some 1:50,000 NTS maps covering the Arctic Islands are kept in storage. NTS maps in storage are indicated on indexes 2 and 3. To obtain items from storage, ask at the Public Services Desk.

The NTS map call numbers are configured as:

This example would be for the NTS map sheet of Kitchener/Waterloo at the scale 1:250,000. If you cannot locate the map you are looking for, ask at the Public Services Desk.

Step 5: Recording information from the map

In addition to the NTS number, each map sheet has a title, usually the name of a significant geographical feature on the map.

The map's edition number is indicated at the top of the map. All editions of maps covering Ontario and urban areas across Canada are retained. Some of the earlier edition maps of Ontario and urban areas are kept in an archival collection. Check the special archival index set on the text shelf for coverage. Ask for assistance with this collection at the Public Services Desk. Only the latest edition is kept for maps covering other areas of Canada.

Finding Adjoining Maps

An index to adjoining maps is printed on the bottom right corner of most NTS maps.

Circulation and Copying

NTS maps which are stamped FOR CIRCULATION at the top right corner may be borrowed by University of Waterloo students, faculty, and staff for 2 weeks (with 1 renewal). Non-circulating maps may be borrowed for up to 3 hours for the purpose of class presentations, to be used with special equipment, or copying (subject to the Library's photocopying guidelines).

When You Are Finished Using the NTS Maps

PLEASE DO NOT REFILE ANY MATERIALS. Leave maps on the tables or on top of the map cabinets.

Retail Sources

A list of retail sources for NTS maps is available at the Public Services Desk. To purchase a specific map, you will need to know the NTS map number.

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For assistance enquire at the Map Library Public Service Desk or or consult the Ask a Librarian Web page at: http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/asklib/

Library Guide, No. 7.5 National Topographic System (NTS) Maps of Canada in the Map Library
http://www.lib.uwaterloo.ca/libguides/7-5/index.html
Copyright © University of Waterloo

Liaison Librarian (University Map Library)
Richard Pinnell (rhpinnel@library.uwaterloo.ca)