ISOM 2017-2
International Specification for Orienteering Maps
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101 Contour
Geometry: line. Definition A line joining points of equal height. The standard vertical interval between contours is 5 m. A contour interval of 2.5 m may be used for flat…
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102 Index contour
Geometry: line, text. Definition Every fifth contour shall be drawn with a thicker line. This is an aid to the quick assessment of height difference and the overall shape of…
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103 Form line
Geometry: line. Definition Form lines are used where more information must be given about the shape of the ground. Form lines are added only where representation would be incomplete with…
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104 Earth bank
Geometry: line. Definition An earth bank is an abrupt change in ground level which can be clearly distinguished from its surroundings, e.g. gravel or sand pits, road and railway cuttings…
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105.1 Earth wall
Geometry: line. Definition Distinct earth wall. Parameters Minimum height: 1 m. Minimum length: 1.4 mm (footprint 21 m). Colour: brown. Comments The definition of this map symbol was updated on…
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105.2 Retaining earth wall
Geometry: line. Definition A retaining earth wall is an abrupt change in ground level which can be clearly distinguished from its surroundings used for minor peat edges and cultivation terraces.…
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106 Ruined earth wall
Geometry: line. Definition A ruined or less distinct earth wall. Parameters Minimum height: 0.5 m. Minimum length: two dashes (3.65 mm – footprint 55 m). If shorter, the symbol must…
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107 Erosion gully
Geometry: line. Definition An erosion gully which is too small to be shown using symbol Earth bank (104) is shown by a single line. Contour lines may be broken around…
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108 Small erosion gully
Geometry: line. Definition A small erosion gully or dry ditch. Contour lines shall be broken around this symbol. Parameters Minimum depth: 0.5 m. Minimum length (isolated): two dots (0.7 mm…
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109 Small knoll
Geometry: point. Definition An obvious mound or knoll which cannot be drawn to scale with a contour. The symbol shall not touch or overlap contours. Parameters Minimum height: 1 m.…
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110 Small elongated knoll
Geometry: point. Definition An obvious elongated knoll which cannot be drawn to scale with a contour. The symbol shall not touch or overlap contours. Parameters Minimum height: 1 m. Footprint:…
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111 Small depression
Geometry: point. Definition A small depression or hollow without steep sides that is too small to be shown by contours. The symbol shall not touch or overlap other brown symbols.…
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112 Pit
Geometry: point. Definition Pits and holes with distinct steep sides which cannot be shown to scale using symbol Earth bank (104). Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol,…
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113 Broken ground
Geometry: area. Definition An area of pits and / or knolls which is too intricate to be shown in detail, or other types of rough and uneven ground that is…
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114 Very broken ground
Geometry: area. Definition An area of pits and/or knolls, which is too intricate to be shown in detail, or other types of rough and uneven ground that is clearly distinguishable…
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115 Prominent landform feature
Geometry: point. Definition The feature must be very clearly distinguishable from its surroundings. Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol, which is orientated to north. The symbol shall…
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201 Impassable cliff
Geometry: line. Definition A cliff, quarry or earth bank that is so high and steep that it is impossible to pass/climb or is dangerous. For vertical rock faces the tags…
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202 Cliff
Geometry: line. Definition A passable cliff or quarry. If the direction of fall of the cliff is not apparent from the contours, or to improve legibility, short tags may be…
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203.1 Rocky pit or cave
Geometry: point. Definition Rocky pits, holes, caves or mineshafts which may constitute a danger to the competitor. Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol, and the symbol shall…
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203.2 Dangerous pit
Geometry: point. Definition A highly dangerous pit, vertical shaft or abyss where a fall into the pit could cause severe injury or death. It is strongly recommended not to use…
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204 Boulder
Geometry: point. Definition A distinct boulder (should be higher than 1 m), which is immediately identifiable on the ground. Groups of boulders are represented using symbol Bouldercluster (207) or a boulder…
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205 Large boulder
Geometry: point. Definition A particularly large and distinct boulder. A large boulder should be more than 2 m high. To be able to show the distinction between neighbouring (closer than30…
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206 Gigantic boulder or rock pillar
Geometry: area. Definition A gigantic boulder, rock pillar or massive cliff shall be represented in plan shape. The objects can vary in shape and width. The gap between gigantic boulders…
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207 Boulder cluster
Geometry: point. Definition A distinct group of boulders so closely clustered together that they cannot be marked individually. The boulders in the cluster should be higher than 1.0 m.A boulder…
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208 Boulder field
Geometry: area. Definition An area which is covered with so many scattered blocks of stone that they cannot be marked individually, is shown with randomly placed and orientated solid triangles…
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209 Dense boulder field
Geometry: area. Definition An area which is covered with so many blocks of stone that they cannot be marked individually and the runnability is affected, is shown with randomly placed…
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210 Stony ground, slow running
Geometry: area. Definition Stony or rocky ground which reduces runnability to about 60-80% of normal speed. The dots should be randomly distributed but not interfere with the representation of important…
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211 Stony ground, walk
Geometry: area. Definition Stony or rocky ground which reduces the runnability significantly (to about 20-60% of normal speed). The dots should be randomly distributed but not interfere with the representation…
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212 Stony ground, fight
Geometry: area. Definition Stony or rocky ground which is hardly passable (less than 20% of normal speed). The dots should be randomly distributed but not interfere with the representation of…
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213 Sandy ground
Geometry: area. Definition An area of soft sandy ground where runnability is reduced to less than 80% of normal speed.The symbol is orientated to north. Parameters Minimum area: 1 mm…
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214 Bare rock
Geometry: area. Definition A runnable area of rock without earth or vegetation should be shown as bare rock.An area of rock covered with grass, moss or other low vegetation, shall…
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215 Trench
Geometry: line. Definition Rocky or artificial trench. Shorter trenches may be exaggerated to the minimum graphical dimension. Impassable trenches shall be represented using symbol Impassable cliff (201). Collapsed and easily…
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301 Uncrossable body of water
Geometry: area. Definition An area of deep water such as a lake, pond or river which may constitute a danger to the competitor. The black bank line emphasises that the…
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302 Shallow body of water
Geometry: area. Definition An area of shallow water such as a pond or a river that can be crossed. The body of water should be less than 0.5 m deep…
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303 Waterhole
Geometry: point. Definition A water-filled pit or an area of water which is too small to be shown to scale.Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol, and the…
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304 Crossable watercourse
Geometry: line. Definition A crossable watercourse more than 2 m wide. Parameters Minimum length (isolated): 1 mm (footprint 15 m). Colour: blue. Comments The definition of this map symbol was…
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305 Small crossable watercourse
Geometry: line. Definition A crossable watercourse less than 2 m wide. Parameters Minimum length (isolated): 1 mm (footprint 15 m). Colour: blue. Comments The definition of this map symbol was…
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306 Minor/seasonal water channel
Geometry: line. Definition A natural or man-made minor water channel which may contain water only intermittently. Parameters Minimum length (isolated): two dashes (2.75 mm – footprint 41 m). Colour: blue.
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307 Uncrossable marsh
Geometry: area. Definition A marsh which is uncrossable or dangerous for the competitor. The black outline emphasises that the feature is uncrossable. The black outline is omitted for boundaries between…
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308 Marsh
Geometry: area. Definition A crossable marsh, usually with a distinct edge.The symbol shall be combined with other symbols to show runnability and openness. At least two blue lines shall be…
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309 Narrow marsh
Geometry: line. Definition A marsh or trickle of water which is too narrow (less than about 5 m wide) to be shown with the marsh symbol. Parameters Minimum length (isolated):…
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310 Indistinct marsh
Geometry: area. Definition An indistinct marsh, seasonal marsh or an area of gradual transition from marsh to firm ground, which is crossable. The edge is generally indistinct and the vegetation…
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311 Well, fountain or water tank
Geometry: point. Definition A prominent well, fountain, water tank or captive spring. Parameters Footprint: 12 m x 12 m. Colour: blue.
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312 Spring
Geometry: point. Definition A source of water.Location is the centre of gravity of the symbol, and the symbol is orientated to open downstream. Parameters Footprint: 13.5 m x 7 m.…
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313 Prominent water feature
Geometry: point. Definition The symbol is orientated to north.The definition of the symbol must be given on the map. Parameters Footprint: 13.5 m x 13.5 m. Colour: blue.
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401 Open land
Geometry: area. Definition Open land that has a ground cover (grass, moss or similar) which offers better runnability than typical open forest. If yellow coloured areas become dominant, a screen…
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402 Open land with scattered trees
Geometry: area. Definition Areas with scattered trees or bushes in open land may be generalised by using a regular pattern of large dots in the yellow screen. The dots may…
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403 Rough open land
Geometry: area. Definition Heath, moorland, felled areas, newly planted areas (trees lower than ca. 1 m) or other generally open land with rough ground vegetation, heather or tall grass offering…
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404 Rough open land with scattered trees
Geometry: area. Definition Areas with scattered trees or bushes in rough open land may be generalised by using a regular pattern of large dots in the yellow screen.The dots may…
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405 Forest
Geometry: area Definition Typical open forest for the particular type of terrain. If no part of the forest is easily runnable then no white should appear on the map. Parameters…
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406 Vegetation: slow running
Geometry: area. Definition An area with dense vegetation (low visibility) which reduces running to about 60-80% of normal speed.Where runnability is better in one direction, a regular pattern of white…
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407 Vegetation: slow running, good visibility
Geometry: area. Definition An area of good visibility and reduced runnability, due to, for instance, undergrowth (brambles, heather, low bushes, cut branches). Running speed is reduced to about 60-80% of…
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408 Vegetation: walk
Geometry: area. Definition An area with dense trees or thickets (low visibility) which reduce running to about 20-60% of normal speed.Where runnability is better in one direction, a regular pattern…
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409 Vegetation: walk, good visibility
Geometry: area. Definition An area of good visibility that is difficult to run through, due to, for instance, undergrowth (brambles, heather, low bushes, cut branches). Running speed is reduced to…
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410 Vegetation: fight
Geometry: area. Definition An area of dense vegetation (trees or undergrowth) which is barely passable.Running reduced to less than about 20% of normal speed.Where runnability is better in one direction,…
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412 Cultivated land
Geometry: area. Definition Cultivated land, normally used for growing crops. Runnability may vary according to the type of crops grown and the time of year. For agroforestry, symbol Forest (405)…
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413 Orchard
Geometry: area. Definition Land planted with trees or bushes, normally in a regular pattern. The dot lines may be orientated to show the direction of planting.Must be combined with either…
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414 Vineyard or similar
Geometry: area. Definition A vineyard or similar cultivated land containing dense rows of plants offering good or normal runnability in the direction of planting. The lines shall be orientated to…
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415 Distinct cultivation boundary
Geometry: line. Definition A boundary of cultivated land vegetation (symbols 401, 412, 413, 414) or a boundary between areas of cultivated land when not shown with other symbols (fence, wall,…
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416 Distinct vegetation boundary
Geometry: line. Definition A vegetation boundary within the forest, or a distinct forest edge. Only one of the vegetation boundary symbols (black dotted line or dashed green line) can be…
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417 Prominent large tree
Geometry: point. Definition A very large single tree which clearly stands out from the surrounding vegetation. White mask is used under the green circle, to improve readability in yellow and…
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418 Prominent bush or tree
Geometry: point. Definition A bush or small single tree which clearly stands out from the surrounding vegetation. Use sparingly, as it is easily mistaken for symbol Small knoll (109). Small…
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419 Prominent vegetation feature
Geometry: point. Definition A vegetation feature which is significant or prominent. White mask is used under the green cross, to improve readability in yellow and green (line width of white…
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501 Paved area
Geometry: area. Definition An area with a firm surface such as asphalt, hard gravel, tiles, concrete or the like. Paved areas should be bordered (or framed) by a thin black…
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502 Wide road
Geometry: line Definition A maintained road wider than 5 m wide suitable for vehicles in all weather. The width should be drawn to scale, but not smaller than the minimum…
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503 Road
Geometry: line. Definition A maintained road less than 5 m wide suitable for vehicles in all weather. Parameters Colour: black. Comments The definition of this map symbol was updated on…
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504 Vehicle track
Geometry: line. Definition A track or poorly maintained road suitable for vehicles only when travelling slowly. For distinct junctions the dashes of the symbols are joined at the junction.For indistinct…
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505 Footpath
Geometry: line. Definition An easily runnable path, bicycle track or old vehicle track.For distinct junctions the dashes of the symbols are joined at the junction.For indistinct junctions the dashes of…
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506 Small footpath
Geometry: line Definition A runnable small path or (temporary) forest extraction track which can be followed at competition speed.For distinct junctions the dashes of the symbols are joined at the…
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507 Less distinct small footpath
Geometry: line Definition A runnable less distinct / visible small path or forestry extraction track. Parameters Minimum length: two sections of double dashes (5.3 mm – footprint 79.5 m). Colour:…
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508 Narrow ride or linear trace through the terrain
Geometry: line. Definition A forest ride or a prominent trace (forestry extraction track, sandy track, ski track) through the terrain which does not have a distinct runnable path along it.Runnability…
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509 Railway
Geometry: line. Definition A railway or other kind of railed track.If it is forbidden to run along the railway, it shall be combined with symbol Out-of-bounds route (711). If it…
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510 Power line, cableway or skilift
Geometry: line. Definition Power line, cableway or skilift. The bars show the exact location of the pylons.The line may be broken to improve legibility.If a section of a power line,…
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511 Major power line
Geometry: line, point. Definition Major power lines should be drawn with a double line. The gap between the lines may indicate the extent of the power line. The lines may…
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512 Bridge / tunnel
Geometry: line, point. Definition Bridges and tunnels are represented using the same basic symbols.If it is not possible to get through a tunnel (or under a bridge), it shall be…
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513.1 Wall
Geometry: line. Definition A significant wall of stone, concrete, wood or other materials. Parameters Minimum height: 1 m. Minimum length (isolated): 1.4 mm (footprint 21 m). Colour: black. Comments The…
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513.2 Retaining wall
Geometry: line Definition A significant wall of stone, concrete, wood or other materials which is seen only from one side. Half dot must point to the lower level. Parameters Minimum…
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514 Ruined wall
Geometry: line. Definition A ruined or less distinct wall. Parameters Minimum height: 0.5 m. Minimum length: two dashes (3.65 mm – footprint 55 m). If shorter, the symbol must be…
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515 Impassable wall
Geometry: line. Definition An impassable or uncrossable wall, normally more than 1.5 m high. Parameters Minimum length (isolated): 3 mm (footprint 45 m). Colour: black.
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516 Fence
Geometry: line. Definition A passable or crossable fence, normally less than 1.5 m high. If the fence forms an enclosed area, tags should be placed inside. Parameters Minimum length (isolated):…
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517 Ruined fence
Geometry: line. Definition A ruined or less distinct fence. If the fence forms an enclosed area, tags should be placed inside. Parameters Minimum length: two dashes (3.65 mm – footprint…
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518 Impassable fence
Geometry: line Definition An impassable or uncrossable fence, normally more than 1.5 m high.If the fence forms an enclosed area, tags should be placed inside. Parameters Minimum length (isolated): 2…
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519 Crossing point
Geometry: point. Definition A way through or over a wall, fence or other linear feature, including a gate or stile.For impassable features, the line shall be broken at the crossing…
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520 Area that shall not be entered
Geometry: area. Definition An out-of-bounds area is a feature such as a private house, a garden, a factory or another industrial area. Only contours and prominent features such as railways…
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521 Building
Geometry: area. Definition A building is shown with its ground plan so far as the scale permits.Buildings larger than 75 m x 75 m may be represented with a dark…
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522 Canopy
Geometry: area. Definition An accessible and runnable area with roof. Parameters Minimum area (isolated): 0.6 mm x 0.6 mm (footprint 9 m x 9 m). Minimum (inside) width: 0.4 mm…
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523 Ruin
Geometry: line Definition A ruined building. The ground plan of a ruin is shown to scale, down to the minimum size. Ruins that are so small that they cannot be…
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524 High tower
Geometry: point. Definition A high tower or large pylon. If it is in a forest, it must be visible above the level of the surrounding forest.Towers with a larger footprint…
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525 Small tower
Geometry: point. Definition An obvious small tower or elevated platform or seat. The object shall be with elevation above the ground.Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol.The…
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526 Cairn
Geometry: point. Definition A prominent cairn, memorial stone, boundary stone or trigonometric point. Parameters Minimum height: 0.5 m. Footprint: 12 m in diameter. Colour: black.
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527 Fodder rack
Geometry: point. Definition A fodder rack, which is free standing or attached to a tree.Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol.The symbol is orientated to north. Parameters…
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528 Prominent line feature
Geometry: line. Definition A prominent man-made line feature. For example, a low pipeline (gas, water, oil, heat, etc.) or a bobsleigh / skeleton track that is clearly visible. The definition…
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529 Prominent impassable line feature
Geometry: line. Definition An impassable man-made line feature. For example, a high pipeline (gas, water, oil, heat, etc.) or a bobsleigh / skeleton track. The definition of the symbol must…
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530 Prominent man-made feature – ring
Geometry: point. Definition Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol.The definition of the symbol must be given on the map. Parameters Footprint: 12 m in diameter. Colour:…
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531 Prominent man-made feature – x
Geometry: point. Definition Location is at the centre of gravity of the symbol.The symbol is orientated to north.The definition of the symbol must be given on the map. Parameters Footprint:…
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532 Stairway
Geometry: line Definition A distinct stairway through the terrain which helps to climb very steep slopes or to cross over impassable objects. A stairway going through rock passages or between…
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601 Magnetic north line
Geometry: line. Definition Magnetic north lines are lines placed on the map pointing to magnetic north, parallel to the sides of the paper. Their spacing on the map shall be…
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602 Registration mark
Geometry: point. Definition At least three registration marks may be placed in the corners of the map.These can be used for printing courses on already printed maps. In addition, it…
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603 Spot heigh
Geometry: point, text. Definition Spot heights are used for the rough assessment of height differences. The height is given to the nearest metre. Water levels are given without the dot.Spot…
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701 Start
Geometry: point Definition The place where the orienteering starts. The centre of the triangle shows the precise position where the orienteering course starts. The start must be on a clearly…
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702 Map issue point
Geometry: point. Definition If there is a marked route to the start point, the map issue point is marked using this symbol. Parameters Colour: purple (upper purple). Comments The definition…
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703 Control point
Geometry: point. Definition For point features, the centre of the circle shall be the centre of the symbol.For line and area features, the centre of the circle shows the precise…
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704 Control number
Geometry: text. Definition The number of the control is placed close to the control point circle in such a way that it does not obscure important detail. The numbers are…
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705 Course line
Geometry: line. Definition Where controls are to be visited in order, the sequence is shown using straight lines from the start to the first control and then from each control…
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706 Finish
Geometry: point. Definition The end of the course. Parameters Colour: purple (lower purple). Comments The definition of this map symbol was updated on 20.01.2020: Precise definition of colour: upper and…
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707 Marked route
Geometry: line. Definition A marked route that is a part of the course. It is mandatory to follow the marked route. Parameters Minimum length: 2 dashes (4.5 mm – footprint:…
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708 Out-of-bounds boundary
Geometry: line. Definition A boundary which it is not permitted to cross.An out-of-bounds boundary shall not be crossed. Parameters Minimum length: 1 mm (footprint: 15 m). Colour: purple (lower purple).…
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709 Out-of-bounds area
Geometry: area. Definition An out-of-bounds area. A bounding line may be drawn if there is no natural boundary, as follows:• A solid line indicates that the boundary is marked continuously…
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710 Crossing point
Geometry: point. Definition A crossing point, for instance through or over a wall or fence, across a road or railway, through a tunnel or out-of-bounds area, or over an uncrossable…
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711 Out-of-bounds route
Geometry: line. Definition A route which is out-of-bounds. Competitors are allowed to cross directly over a forbidden route, but it is forbidden to go along it.An out-of-bounds route shall not…
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712 First aid post
Geometry: point Definition The location of a first aid post. Parameters Colour: purple (lower purple). Comments The definition of this map symbol was updated on 20.01.2020: Precise definition of colour:…
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713 Refreshment point
Geometry: point Definition The location of a refreshment point which is not at a control. Parameters Colour: purple (lower purple). Comments The definition of this map symbol was updated on…
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715 Continuing point after map exchange
Geometry: point. Definition Symbol marking the continuation of the course after the map flip or the map exchange. The triangle points in the direction of the following control. Parameters Colour:…