CHARTS & TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS

CHARTS

  • are graphic representations depicting water areas, including the depth, underwater hazards, traffic routes, aids to navigation and adjacent coastal areas;
  • are intended primarily for the use of mariners to assist navigation; and
  • are published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service, Department of Fisheries and Oceans

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS

  • are maps of land areas depicting natural and artificial features of the land including elevation contours, shorelines, rocks, land features above water, and cultural features;
  • are primarily intended for the use of the general public on the land;
  • are published by Natural Resources of Canada and some provincial authorities.
  • are sometimes used where there are no “charts” available but do not depict: underwater hazards marine aids to navigation channels, and anchorage areas.