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Mapping, Remote Sensing, and Geospatial Data

Do you have examples of using TNM services in other applications?

Visit our API Examples Demos Web page for TNM services being used in other Application Program Interfaces (APIs), such as Leaflet, OpenLayers 2, Google Earth, and OpenLayers 3 Mobile. Other examples include usage of the Elevation Point Query Service (EPQS) and an Arctic Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) viewer.

Related Content

Filter Total Items: 7
Mercator the Man

What map projections are used in tiled base map services and dynamic overlay services?

The projection used for all tiled base map services is the WGS84 Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere) so base map services can be used in combination with other common viewers, such as Google Maps and Microsoft Bing Maps. For more info : see Spatial Reference SR-ORG:6928 and Spatial Reference SR-ORG:7483/ . Dynamic overlay services are in WGS84 (see...
Updated 2015 version of Tupelo, Mississippi US Topo quadrangle with orthoimage turned on

How often are composite base maps and dynamic service overlays updated?

Composite base maps are recached about once a year. Although data in dynamic service overlays are ideally updated quarterly, it can sometimes take up to six months. Please note that there will be times when composite base maps and dynamic service overlays are not in synchronization because of a difference in refresh cycles.
AK Mount McKinley A-3 US Topo (Browse Image for Story Map)

What is the difference between tiled and dynamic services?

A tiled service contains cached tiles, which render the map in small tile images. This allows the map to perform much faster when panning and zooming, compared to a dynamic service. Dynamic is considered an "older" way of displaying web maps, where each feature is called from the source data and drawn separately for every pan and zoom. Tiled base...
Chesapeake Bay 2014 Landsat imagery

What are the base map services (or URLs) used in The National Map?

The National Map offers a series of composite base maps, which combine layers into tile cache services with the cartographic richness of multiple data sources. The following base maps are available: USGS Topo - combines the most current data (boundaries, geographic names, transportation, elevation, hydrography, land cover, and other themes) that...
Screen shot of streams near the Dillon Reservoir, Frisco, CO on imagery basemap

Where can I find a list of URLs for The National Map services?

A complete list of service URLs can be found at The National Map-Service Endpoints website, which contains available REST, WMS, WMTS (cached base maps only), WFS, WCS, and other service links.
Image showing the main page of the Delavan Lake Monitoring Map tool

How can I submit a question or report issues regarding The National Map products and services?

Submit questions or report issues to The National Map service desk at: tnm_help@usgs.gov
Image: Aerial View of Roadbed Collapse

Where can I get metadata for National Map products and services?

Map service metadata is available in The National Map Viewer by clicking on the pull-down arrow in front of each base data layer in the table of contents under ‘Overlays’. Service metadata can also be viewed through the data layer endpoints. In addition, product-level metadata is included with data downloaded in The National Map Download Client...
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Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2019

The National Map—New data delivery homepage, advanced viewer, lidar visualization

As one of the cornerstones of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Geospatial Program, The National Map is a collaborative effort among the USGS and other Federal, State, and local partners to improve and deliver topographic information for the Nation. The National Map is featuring direct links to new and improved GIS data access utilities...

View Citation
U.S. Geological Survey, 2019, The National Map—New data delivery homepage, advanced viewer, lidar visualization: US. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2019–3032, 2 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20193032.

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3D model of Mount Hood, Oregon
Date published: October 23, 2019

USGS Digital Elevation Models (DEM) Switching to New Distribution Format

In support of ongoing efforts to provide efficient, cloud ready, open data formats, the U.S. Geological Survey National Geospatial Program is announcing plans to migrate its 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) Digital Elevation Models (DEM) to a new data delivery format called Cloud Optimized Geotiff (COG) during the first half of fiscal year 2020.

Attribution: Core Science Systems, National Geospatial Program
Screen shot of elevation aspect map rendered in the 3DEP Demonstration Elevation Viewer
Date published: August 8, 2018

New Elevation Map Service Available From the USGS 3D Elevation Program

The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) announces the availability of a new dynamic map service.

Attribution: Core Science Systems, National Geospatial Program
Screenshot of the National Map and associated map layers with new URLs
Date published: May 23, 2018

Keeping Current with Map Services Made Easier

The National Map provides a new Simple Notification Service and has new URLs for some of its thematic cartographic map services.

Attribution: Core Science Systems, National Geospatial Program