What are topographic maps?

Topographic maps contain data on the natural features of the land, such as elevations, contours, water bodies, and other features, plus they may also contain man-made features such as roads, railroads, buildings and structures, etc. The main concept of topographic maps is that they show the way the landscape would appear if viewed from above. A brief history of the USGS topographic map program describes the creation of this valuable series. For more on the USGS topographic maps, see:

• What is a Topographic Map? Brief instructional answers about topo maps.
• Gateway to all USGS maps, imagery, and publications.

Finding Topographic Maps

• See our Indexes page for information on using Index Maps to find topographic maps
• You can use also Index Maps at the United States Geological Survey and Natural Resources Canada to locate topographic maps for the United States and Canada.