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

The National Map Services offers a series of composite base maps that 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 make up The National Map. Contours generated for the US Topo product are included and are visible along with other data to 1:9,000 zoom scale.
  • USGS Shaded Relief - created using data from the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), which maintains a seamless dataset of best available raster elevation data for the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Territorial Islands of the U.S.  
  • USGS Imagery Only - combines imagery from the U.S.; resolution may vary from 6 inches to 1 meter. 
  • USGS Imagery Topo - combines imagery with contours and other vector themes (boundaries, geographic names, hydrography, structures, and transportation), based on cartographic styling used on US Topo products. 
  • Hydrography - combines naturally occurring and man-made bodies of surface water, paths through which water flows, and ​related features​ such as stream gages and dams​​, and additional hydrologic information​.
  • Base Map-Blank - consists of ocean tints and coastlines to provide an outline of the United States as a blank base map for addition of other services.

Learn more: The National Map Applications

Related Content

link
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 that 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 maps are cached from global scale to a scale of 1:9...

link

What is the difference between tiled and dynamic services?

A tiled service contains cached tiles that 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 maps are cached from global scale to a scale of 1:9...

Learn More
link
Mercator the Man

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

The projection used for all tiled base map services in The National Map is the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84) Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere) so that base map services can be used in combination with other common viewers. See Spatial Reference SR-ORG:6928 and Spatial Reference SR-ORG:7483. Dynamic overlay services are in WGS84 (see Spatial Reference EPSG:4326) but can be reprojected as needed...

link

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

The projection used for all tiled base map services in The National Map is the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84) Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere) so that base map services can be used in combination with other common viewers. See Spatial Reference SR-ORG:6928 and Spatial Reference SR-ORG:7483. Dynamic overlay services are in WGS84 (see Spatial Reference EPSG:4326) but can be reprojected as needed...

Learn More
link
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?

See The National Map Services for a complete list of map service URLs. That includes available REST, WMS, WMTS (cached base maps only), WFS, WCS, and other service links. Learn more: Training videos for The National Map Products and Services The National Map Applications

link

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

See The National Map Services for a complete list of map service URLs. That includes available REST, WMS, WMTS (cached base maps only), WFS, WCS, and other service links. Learn more: Training videos for The National Map Products and Services The National Map Applications

Learn More
link
Chesapeake Bay 2014 Landsat imagery
link
video thumbnail: Elevation link
video thumbnail: Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California. link

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 on a refreshed data delivery homepage at https://w
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National Geospatial Program, 3D Elevation Program, The National Map - Data Delivery

The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting California's Economy

IntroductionCalifornia faces unprecedented challenges presented by shifting weather patterns that are defining a “new normal.” The result has been extreme weather events, prolonged drought, flooding, and debris flows. These conditions drive severe tree mortality, increase wildfire occurrence and intensity, reduce water availability, and hasten subsidence in groundwater basins. Collectively, these
Authors
Carol L. Ostergren, Drew Decker, William J. Carswell,
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Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Geospatial Program, 3D Elevation Program

Department of the Interior metadata implementation guide—Framework for developing the metadata component for data resource management

The Department of the Interior (DOI) is a Federal agency with over 90,000 employees across 10 bureaus and 8 agency offices. Its primary mission is to protect and manage the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provide scientific and other information about those resources; and honor its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated i
Authors
Raymond C. Obuch, Jennifer Carlino, Lin Zhang, Jonathan Blythe, Christopher Dietrich, Christine Hawkinson
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US Topo—Topographic maps for the Nation

Building on the success of 125 years of mapping, the U.S. Geological Survey created US Topo, a georeferenced digital map produced from The National Map data. US Topo maps are designed to be used like the traditional 7.5-minute quadrangle paper topographic maps for which the U.S. Geological Survey is so well known. However, in contrast to paper-based maps, US Topo maps provide modern technological
Authors
Kristin A. Fishburn, William J. Carswell
By
National Geospatial Program, Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS)
link

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...

Read Article
link

USGS 3DEP Lidar Point Cloud Now Available as Amazon Public Dataset

The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is excited to announce the availability of a new way to access and process lidar point cloud data from the 3DEP...

Read Article
link

USGS Topo Base Map Refreshed and Other Updates

The “USGS Topo Base Map” service named “USGS Topo” has been refreshed with new data and design changes. In addition, several of the “Data Availability...

Read Article

Related Content

  • FAQ
    link
    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 that 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 maps are cached from global scale to a scale of 1:9...

    link

    What is the difference between tiled and dynamic services?

    A tiled service contains cached tiles that 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 maps are cached from global scale to a scale of 1:9...

    Learn More
    link
    Mercator the Man

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

    The projection used for all tiled base map services in The National Map is the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84) Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere) so that base map services can be used in combination with other common viewers. See Spatial Reference SR-ORG:6928 and Spatial Reference SR-ORG:7483. Dynamic overlay services are in WGS84 (see Spatial Reference EPSG:4326) but can be reprojected as needed...

    link

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

    The projection used for all tiled base map services in The National Map is the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84) Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere) so that base map services can be used in combination with other common viewers. See Spatial Reference SR-ORG:6928 and Spatial Reference SR-ORG:7483. Dynamic overlay services are in WGS84 (see Spatial Reference EPSG:4326) but can be reprojected as needed...

    Learn More
    link
    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?

    See The National Map Services for a complete list of map service URLs. That includes available REST, WMS, WMTS (cached base maps only), WFS, WCS, and other service links. Learn more: Training videos for The National Map Products and Services The National Map Applications

    link

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

    See The National Map Services for a complete list of map service URLs. That includes available REST, WMS, WMTS (cached base maps only), WFS, WCS, and other service links. Learn more: Training videos for The National Map Products and Services The National Map Applications

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    link
    Chesapeake Bay 2014 Landsat imagery
    link
    video thumbnail: Elevation link
    video thumbnail: Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California. link
  • Publications

    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 on a refreshed data delivery homepage at https://w
    Authors
    By
    National Geospatial Program, 3D Elevation Program, The National Map - Data Delivery

    The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting California's Economy

    IntroductionCalifornia faces unprecedented challenges presented by shifting weather patterns that are defining a “new normal.” The result has been extreme weather events, prolonged drought, flooding, and debris flows. These conditions drive severe tree mortality, increase wildfire occurrence and intensity, reduce water availability, and hasten subsidence in groundwater basins. Collectively, these
    Authors
    Carol L. Ostergren, Drew Decker, William J. Carswell,
    By
    Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Geospatial Program, 3D Elevation Program

    Department of the Interior metadata implementation guide—Framework for developing the metadata component for data resource management

    The Department of the Interior (DOI) is a Federal agency with over 90,000 employees across 10 bureaus and 8 agency offices. Its primary mission is to protect and manage the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provide scientific and other information about those resources; and honor its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated i
    Authors
    Raymond C. Obuch, Jennifer Carlino, Lin Zhang, Jonathan Blythe, Christopher Dietrich, Christine Hawkinson
    By
    Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

    US Topo—Topographic maps for the Nation

    Building on the success of 125 years of mapping, the U.S. Geological Survey created US Topo, a georeferenced digital map produced from The National Map data. US Topo maps are designed to be used like the traditional 7.5-minute quadrangle paper topographic maps for which the U.S. Geological Survey is so well known. However, in contrast to paper-based maps, US Topo maps provide modern technological
    Authors
    Kristin A. Fishburn, William J. Carswell
    By
    National Geospatial Program, Center of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS)
  • News
    link

    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...

    Read Article
    link

    USGS 3DEP Lidar Point Cloud Now Available as Amazon Public Dataset

    The USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) is excited to announce the availability of a new way to access and process lidar point cloud data from the 3DEP...

    Read Article
    link

    USGS Topo Base Map Refreshed and Other Updates

    The “USGS Topo Base Map” service named “USGS Topo” has been refreshed with new data and design changes. In addition, several of the “Data Availability...

    Read Article