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National Topographic System (NTS)

These maps provide general purpose topographic map coverage of Canada and are at scales of 1:25,000, 1:50,000, 1:125,000, 1:126,700 and 1:250,000

The maps are filed by scale and sheet number. Index maps are available on top of the map cabinets.

Canadian NTS maps and Geospatial data resources used to create these maps at 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 are available online from the following websites:

  • CanMatrix (georeferenced) files are composed of raster data from scanned NTS maps at the 1:50K and 1:250K scales.
  • CanMatrix – Print Ready files were produced from topographic maps published by the Government of Canada, and correspond to the National Topographic System (NTS) grid at 1:50 000 and 1:250 000 scales.
  • CanTopo is the new generation of topographic maps being produced by Natural Resources Canada. As a minimum, all titles published will include new roads, hydrology, metric contours, and updated toponyms and administrative boundaries. CanTopo only covers certain parts of the Canadian landmass and has been released quarterly since June 30, 2009.
  • CanVec is a multi-source product coming mainly from the National Topographic Data Base (NTDB), the GeoBase initiative (www.geobase.ca) and the data update using Landsat 7 imagery coverage. CanVec aims to standardize and actualize representation of topographical phenomenon for the entire Canadian Landmass. CanVec can be used to produce the metric maps, for web mapping as well as GIS applications
  • National Topographic Database (NTDB) is a digital topographic database covering the entire Canadian landmass. Geomatics Canada created a complete and uniform product that includes features such as watercourses, urban areas, railways, roads, vegetation, and relief. No changes will be made to this product after August 2009. CanVec replaces the NTDB.

Canadian Geographical Names Database (CGNDB)

The CGNDB – Query by Geographical Name tool stores names records for populated places and physical features across Canada. Search results of the CGNDB give the NTS sheet number as well as the latitude and longitude of the location of the place name.