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The National MapServices 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 upThe National Map. Contours generated for the US Topoproduct 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
- FAQ
- Multimedia
- Publications
- News
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
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...
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...
Learn More
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
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
link
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
A tutorial by USGS scientist and topoView developer Chris Garrity demonstrating how to use topoView version 2.1. TopoView let's you access and download maps free of charge from the USGS's Historical Topographic Map Collection, published between 1884 and 2006.
Resources:
An Introduction to TopoView (version 1.0)
By
Core Science Systems, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Virginia, Communications and Publishing
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
link
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
link
A tutorial by USGS scientist and topoView developer Chris Garrity demonstrating how to use topoView version 2.1. TopoView let's you access and download maps free of charge from the USGS's Historical Topographic Map Collection, published between 1884 and 2006.
Resources:
An Introduction to TopoView (version 1.0)
By
Core Science Systems, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Virginia, Communications and Publishing
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
link
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
Chesapeake Bay and surroundings, mosaic of 5 Landsat images taken in October and November 2014.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Communications and Publishing
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
link
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
link
Chesapeake Bay and surroundings, mosaic of 5 Landsat images taken in October and November 2014.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Communications and Publishing
Elevation
Elevation
Elevation
link
Elevation
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
By
Core Science Systems
Elevation
link
Elevation
link
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
By
Core Science Systems
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
link
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
This video provides a visual example of how airborne LiDAR (Light D
etection And Ranging) imagery penetrates dense forest cover to reveal
an active fault line not detectable with conventional aerial
photography. The video shows an aerial perspective of the range front
Mt. Tallac fault, which is one of five active faults that traverse
By
Natural Hazards
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
link
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
link
This video provides a visual example of how airborne LiDAR (Light D
etection And Ranging) imagery penetrates dense forest cover to reveal
an active fault line not detectable with conventional aerial
photography. The video shows an aerial perspective of the range front
Mt. Tallac fault, which is one of five active faults that traverse
By
Natural Hazards
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 athttps://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)
USGS Digital Elevation Models (DEM) Switching to New Distribution Format
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
USGS 3DEP Lidar Point Cloud Now Available as Amazon Public Dataset
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
USGS Topo Base Map Refreshed and Other Updates
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
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
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...
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...
Learn More
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
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
link
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
A tutorial by USGS scientist and topoView developer Chris Garrity demonstrating how to use topoView version 2.1. TopoView let's you access and download maps free of charge from the USGS's Historical Topographic Map Collection, published between 1884 and 2006.
Resources:
An Introduction to TopoView (version 1.0)
By
Core Science Systems, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Virginia, Communications and Publishing
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
link
TopoView - A look at version 2.1
link
A tutorial by USGS scientist and topoView developer Chris Garrity demonstrating how to use topoView version 2.1. TopoView let's you access and download maps free of charge from the USGS's Historical Topographic Map Collection, published between 1884 and 2006.
Resources:
An Introduction to TopoView (version 1.0)
By
Core Science Systems, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Virginia, Communications and Publishing
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
link
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
Chesapeake Bay and surroundings, mosaic of 5 Landsat images taken in October and November 2014.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Communications and Publishing
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
link
Chesapeake Bay Landsat mosaic 2014
link
Chesapeake Bay and surroundings, mosaic of 5 Landsat images taken in October and November 2014.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Communications and Publishing
Elevation
Elevation
Elevation
link
Elevation
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
By
Core Science Systems
Elevation
link
Elevation
link
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the USGS National 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the island territories.
By
Core Science Systems
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
link
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
This video provides a visual example of how airborne LiDAR (Light D
etection And Ranging) imagery penetrates dense forest cover to reveal
an active fault line not detectable with conventional aerial
photography. The video shows an aerial perspective of the range front
Mt. Tallac fault, which is one of five active faults that traverse
By
Natural Hazards
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
link
Using bare-earth LiDAR imagery to reveal the Tahoe - Sierra frontal fault zone Lake Tahoe, California.
link
This video provides a visual example of how airborne LiDAR (Light D
etection And Ranging) imagery penetrates dense forest cover to reveal
an active fault line not detectable with conventional aerial
photography. The video shows an aerial perspective of the range front
Mt. Tallac fault, which is one of five active faults that traverse
By
Natural Hazards
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 athttps://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)
USGS Digital Elevation Models (DEM) Switching to New Distribution Format
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
USGS 3DEP Lidar Point Cloud Now Available as Amazon Public Dataset
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
USGS Topo Base Map Refreshed and Other Updates
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
