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The USGS uses every tool available to make accurate and up-to-date maps. This includes boats and binoculars, as well as airplanes, satellites, crowd- sourcing, and lasers! We also use maps every day to help understand our environment.
Topographic maps are a signature product of the USGS: US Topo maps, OnDemand Topo maps, and the Historical Topographic Map Collection
The 3DEP products and services include lidar point clouds and digital elevation models (DEMs) at various horizontal resolutions.
USGS compiles answers to frequently asked questions received from the public. Find answers to questions about maps and mapping.
Why a map? They say pictures are worth a thousand words, a map is a specific kind of picture of a particular area. The USGS uses different kinds of maps to present its science in a clear picture, including hand-drawn, digitally drawn, and overhead-image maps.
Cartography, the science of making maps, is a very old science. The USGS has been a leader in the building of maps and creating new types of maps for over 100 years! We have cartographers, geographers, geologists, and other scientists making and using maps every day as well as scientists working on new types of maps and new ways to represent and understand geographic data and the natural resources of the United States. Learn more about methods for map making!
This is a sampling of information and data that USGS offers.
The USGS library has created a series of guides on a variety of topics.
The National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
The National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
In this lesson we will examine a brief history of the USGS topographic map, Introduce US Topo maps and their content, discuss the production and future goals of US Topo, and learn how to access these maps for viewing or printing.
In this lesson we will examine a brief history of the USGS topographic map, Introduce US Topo maps and their content, discuss the production and future goals of US Topo, and learn how to access these maps for viewing or printing.
In this lesson we will demonstrate three options for printing US Topos.
In this lesson we will demonstrate three options for printing US Topos.
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
The National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
The National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
In this lesson we will examine a brief history of the USGS topographic map, Introduce US Topo maps and their content, discuss the production and future goals of US Topo, and learn how to access these maps for viewing or printing.
In this lesson we will examine a brief history of the USGS topographic map, Introduce US Topo maps and their content, discuss the production and future goals of US Topo, and learn how to access these maps for viewing or printing.
In this lesson we will demonstrate three options for printing US Topos.
In this lesson we will demonstrate three options for printing US Topos.
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
At most places on the Earth's surface, the compass doesn't point exactly toward geographic north. The deviation of the compass from true north is an angle called "declination" (or "magnetic declination"). It is a quantity that has been a nuisance to navigators for centuries, especially since it varies with both geographic location and time. It might surprise you to know that at very high latitudes...
Like topographic maps, topographic map symbols have evolved over time. There is no single document that describes all of the symbols used on all USGS topographic maps since they were first created. Maps published 2013-present: US Topo maps have a symbol sheet attached to the map file (PDF format only). Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat and click on the paperclip icon. Maps published 1947-2009...
The National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) is an archive of geoscience maps (including geology maps), reports, and stratigraphic information for the United States. The NGMDB contains information on more than 90,000 maps and related geoscience reports published from the early 1800s to the present day, by more than 630 agencies, universities, associations, and private companies. Much of the content...
Most survey marks were set by the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey (now called the National Geodetic Survey); information for those marks is available online. For further assistance, contact the National Geodetic Survey at 301-713-3242 or ngs.infocenter@noaa.gov. For information about marks set by the USGS, contact the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center at tnm_help@usgs.gov . Learn more...
The method used to portray a part of the spherical Earth on a flat surface, whether a paper map or a computer screen, is called a map projection. No flat map can rival a globe in truly representing the surface of the entire Earth, so every flat map misrepresents the surface of the Earth in some way. A flat map can show one or more--but never all--of the following: True directions True distances...
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. Some of the most well-known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also called 7.5-minute quadrangles. In 2009, the USGS transitioned from our hand scribed historical topographic maps to US Topos, which are computer-generated on a regular schedule using national databases...
The USGS uses every tool available to make accurate and up-to-date maps. This includes boats and binoculars, as well as airplanes, satellites, crowd- sourcing, and lasers! We also use maps every day to help understand our environment.
Topographic maps are a signature product of the USGS: US Topo maps, OnDemand Topo maps, and the Historical Topographic Map Collection
The 3DEP products and services include lidar point clouds and digital elevation models (DEMs) at various horizontal resolutions.
USGS compiles answers to frequently asked questions received from the public. Find answers to questions about maps and mapping.
Why a map? They say pictures are worth a thousand words, a map is a specific kind of picture of a particular area. The USGS uses different kinds of maps to present its science in a clear picture, including hand-drawn, digitally drawn, and overhead-image maps.
Cartography, the science of making maps, is a very old science. The USGS has been a leader in the building of maps and creating new types of maps for over 100 years! We have cartographers, geographers, geologists, and other scientists making and using maps every day as well as scientists working on new types of maps and new ways to represent and understand geographic data and the natural resources of the United States. Learn more about methods for map making!
This is a sampling of information and data that USGS offers.
The USGS library has created a series of guides on a variety of topics.
The National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
The National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
In this lesson we will examine a brief history of the USGS topographic map, Introduce US Topo maps and their content, discuss the production and future goals of US Topo, and learn how to access these maps for viewing or printing.
In this lesson we will examine a brief history of the USGS topographic map, Introduce US Topo maps and their content, discuss the production and future goals of US Topo, and learn how to access these maps for viewing or printing.
In this lesson we will demonstrate three options for printing US Topos.
In this lesson we will demonstrate three options for printing US Topos.
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
The National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
The National Geologic Map Database
A wealth of geologic information at your fingertips!
By David Soller, USGS Geologist
In this lesson we will examine a brief history of the USGS topographic map, Introduce US Topo maps and their content, discuss the production and future goals of US Topo, and learn how to access these maps for viewing or printing.
In this lesson we will examine a brief history of the USGS topographic map, Introduce US Topo maps and their content, discuss the production and future goals of US Topo, and learn how to access these maps for viewing or printing.
In this lesson we will demonstrate three options for printing US Topos.
In this lesson we will demonstrate three options for printing US Topos.
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
In this lesson, we will discuss the USGS Store and how it can be used to access the US Topo and historical USGS Topographic maps. Specifically, this lesson will talk about the USGS Store, both where it’s accessed and what’s available at the store, as well as how you can locate and download free topographic maps through the store.
At most places on the Earth's surface, the compass doesn't point exactly toward geographic north. The deviation of the compass from true north is an angle called "declination" (or "magnetic declination"). It is a quantity that has been a nuisance to navigators for centuries, especially since it varies with both geographic location and time. It might surprise you to know that at very high latitudes...
Like topographic maps, topographic map symbols have evolved over time. There is no single document that describes all of the symbols used on all USGS topographic maps since they were first created. Maps published 2013-present: US Topo maps have a symbol sheet attached to the map file (PDF format only). Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat and click on the paperclip icon. Maps published 1947-2009...
The National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB) is an archive of geoscience maps (including geology maps), reports, and stratigraphic information for the United States. The NGMDB contains information on more than 90,000 maps and related geoscience reports published from the early 1800s to the present day, by more than 630 agencies, universities, associations, and private companies. Much of the content...
Most survey marks were set by the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey (now called the National Geodetic Survey); information for those marks is available online. For further assistance, contact the National Geodetic Survey at 301-713-3242 or ngs.infocenter@noaa.gov. For information about marks set by the USGS, contact the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center at tnm_help@usgs.gov . Learn more...
The method used to portray a part of the spherical Earth on a flat surface, whether a paper map or a computer screen, is called a map projection. No flat map can rival a globe in truly representing the surface of the entire Earth, so every flat map misrepresents the surface of the Earth in some way. A flat map can show one or more--but never all--of the following: True directions True distances...
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been the primary civilian mapping agency of the United States since 1879. Some of the most well-known USGS maps are the 1:24,000-scale topographic maps, also called 7.5-minute quadrangles. In 2009, the USGS transitioned from our hand scribed historical topographic maps to US Topos, which are computer-generated on a regular schedule using national databases...