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Topographic maps

Topographic maps

Topographic maps use elevation contour lines to show the shape of the Earth's surface and contain many geographic features including roads, railroads, rivers, streams, lakes, boundaries, place or feature names, mountains, and much more

Get topographic maps
Create an on demand topo
Historical topo maps
What is a topographic map
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Screenshot of topoBuilder 1.3 application
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Topographic maps

Topographic maps

Topographic maps use elevation contour lines to show the shape of the Earth's surface and contain many geographic features including roads, railroads, rivers, streams, lakes, boundaries, place or feature names, mountains, and much more

Get topographic maps
Create an on demand topo
Historical topo maps
What is a topographic map
Filter Total Items: 1394
Center News
Portion of a 2024 US Topo in the U.S. Virgin Islands

USGS Releases New Topographic Maps for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands - Updated Maps for Essential Needs

General
NGTOC - 3DEP mountains

Topography

About
8 Base Layers of The National Map

Why it matters

Data Access
Screenshot of topoBuilder 1.3 application

topoBuilder - Custom Topographic Maps On Demand

Research
Image: Topographic Map Reader

Topographic design

Presentations and Events
HCC topoBuilder YouTube Thumbnail

topoBuilder: OnDemand, Custom, Topographic Maps

Animated GIF
Gif showing icons depicting topographic mapmaking from the 1880s through the 2000s

Brief History of Topographic Mapping GIF

Animated GIF
Gif showing examples of historical USGS topographic maps

Examples of historical USGS topographic maps

Presentations and Events
JunePL 2023 - Thumbnail slide image

PubTalk-06/2023: Next Generation Topographic Mapping

How to's and trainings

Lesson 8: U.S. Geological Survey Topographic Maps

How to's and trainings

Lesson 9a: Accessing US Topo and Historical USGS Topographic Maps

Illustrations
Topographic Map page

Topographic Map page

Animated GIF
Gif showing examples of 7.5-minute USGS topographic maps

Examples of 7.5-minute, 1:24,000-scale historical USGS topographic map series

Supporting material

Topographic Map Symbols

faq
Diagram of a box with 2 degrees of longitude on the bottom and 2 degrees of latitude on the side, divided into smaller areas.

Why are USGS topographic maps called “quadrangles”?

Illustrations
Image shows a topographic map of Horseshoe Bend, part of the Grand Canyon in Arizona

Horseshoe Bend Topographic Map from topoBuilder

Podcasts
USGS CoreCast

125th Anniversary of Topographic Mapping

Illustrations
Image shows a topographic map of Horseshoe Bend, part of the Grand Canyon in Arizona

Horseshoe Bend Topographic Map from topoBuilder

Satellite imagery
Landsat 8 image from June 16, 2024 or the Henry Mountains in southeastern Utah

Landsat 8 Image of the Henry Mountains in Utah

Presentations and Events

History of USGS Topographic Mapping

Presentations and Events

Reflections on National Topographic Mapping

Podcasts
CoreFacts

What is a topographic map?

Historical
Diagram of a box with 2 degrees of longitude on the bottom and 2 degrees of latitude on the side, divided into smaller areas.

Quadrangle system of topographic map layout

Training Materials

Topographic Map Margins Information for Educators

faq
Image: Cartographers in the Field

What is a topographic map?

faq
Scan of the 1909 USGS quadrangle of the Yosemite, California area, to include El Capitan, from the USGS Historic Topographic Map

Can I donate a map that isn't already in the USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection?

Supporting material

Celebration of 125 Years of USGS Topographic Mapping

Brochures

Celebration of 125 Years of USGS Topographic Mapping

Charts or Graphs
Topoographic map showing elevation contour lines and blotches of green tint indicating vegetation

Meadow Creek WV 1:62,500 topographic map, 1912

Historical
Image: USGS Topographic Mapping Field Camp

USGS Topographic Mapping Field Camp

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