Navigating The National Map
The National Map is the place to get accurate maps and find the trustworthy data to make maps for the United States and its territories.
The free data and products from The National Map can be used by government, industry, academia, as well as the public, in support of geologic mapping, natural hazard planning, natural resource conservation, emergency management, recreation, and many other applications. The National Map includes datasets used to make topographic maps.
A topographic map shows the surface of the earth, along with other natural and human-made features like rivers, roads, cities, and place names. The National Map also combines information from other resources and datasets that provide context on topographic maps like transportation, structures, and boundaries. The National Map is managed by the USGS National Geospatial Program in coordination with federal, state, and local partners and may be accessed through data download, web map services, and an online viewer.
3D Hydrography Program
Topographic Mapping
3D Elevation Program
Using the National Map
How can you build a map using The National Map? There are many resources available for looking at historical maps (topoView | USGS), downloading existing maps and data used to build them (TNM Downloader), and generating custom maps (topoBuilder (nationalmap.gov) ).
New tools and options are also being developed to help the public access and make use of maps and map data. A cool tool that is available, allows you to explore all of the Lidar data that the USGS collects to help build maps (https://apps.nationalmap.gov/lidar-explorer/#/). Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) is a technology used to create detailed models of the ground and everything on it.
National Map GIS Data Download
topoBuilder: Create Custom Topo Maps
3DEP LidarExplorer
topoView: Find Historic Maps
National Map Online Applications
Training Videos for the National Map
Science
USGS LiDAR Data Dictionary
USGS LiDAR Data Dictionary
How do I download layers in The National Map Viewer?
What are the Terms of Use/Licensing for map services and data from The National Map?
Where can I find a list of URLs for The National Map services?
The National Map is the place to get accurate maps and find the trustworthy data to make maps for the United States and its territories.
The free data and products from The National Map can be used by government, industry, academia, as well as the public, in support of geologic mapping, natural hazard planning, natural resource conservation, emergency management, recreation, and many other applications. The National Map includes datasets used to make topographic maps.
A topographic map shows the surface of the earth, along with other natural and human-made features like rivers, roads, cities, and place names. The National Map also combines information from other resources and datasets that provide context on topographic maps like transportation, structures, and boundaries. The National Map is managed by the USGS National Geospatial Program in coordination with federal, state, and local partners and may be accessed through data download, web map services, and an online viewer.
3D Hydrography Program
Topographic Mapping
3D Elevation Program
Using the National Map
How can you build a map using The National Map? There are many resources available for looking at historical maps (topoView | USGS), downloading existing maps and data used to build them (TNM Downloader), and generating custom maps (topoBuilder (nationalmap.gov) ).
New tools and options are also being developed to help the public access and make use of maps and map data. A cool tool that is available, allows you to explore all of the Lidar data that the USGS collects to help build maps (https://apps.nationalmap.gov/lidar-explorer/#/). Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) is a technology used to create detailed models of the ground and everything on it.