How to find topographic maps

How to find topographic maps
and related base maps and imagery

If you are looking for paper or digital topographic maps, or other base maps or imagery, this page provides some links. If you connect to any of the linked pages, they will open in a new browser window. To return to the National Geologic Map Database pages, close the new window.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Background, and how topographic maps are made
Topographic maps are available in many scales and series
How to read a topographic map ("what are all those symbols and patterns?")
Photoimage maps (e.g., Orthophotoquads, Satellite images) also are available
Maps of the entire United States
Aeronautical and Nautical Charts
National Geospatial-Intellience Agency Imagery and Mapping Agency (NGA, formerly known as NIMA) maps

HOW TO ORDER:

Topographic and other maps are available over-the-counter from any USGS Earth Science Information Center (ESIC), from the online USGS Map Store, or from any of the numerous commercial map dealers affiliated with the USGS. The ESICs offer nationwide information and sales service for USGS products and publications:

ESIC -- "http://ask.usgs.gov/" or call 1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747)
- ESIC locations
- How to order maps
- USGS map prices
- Various USGS price lists and order forms
- Frequently-asked questions
USGS Map Store
State Geological Surveys that sell topographic maps
Commercial map dealers --
1. topographic maps in a store near you
2. topographic maps, aerial photos, satellite data, digital cartographic data

DIGITAL MAPS (for sale and/or download):

The ESICs and the USGS Map Store sell digital maps. These Web sites provide information about the digital map products, and direct access to some of the data:

View USGS Maps and Aerial Photo Images Online
USGS Earth Explorer
USGS Geographic Data Download
Where data is available -- Status Graphics
Types of map data --
- DRGs, or Digital Raster Graphics (scanned images of topographic maps)
- DEMs, or Digital Elevation Models (digital elevation datasets)
- DLGs, or Digital Line Graphs (digital vector cartographic datasets)
- DOQs or Digital Orthophotos (digital aerial photographs)
National Datasets --
- NED (National Elevation Dataset)
- NHD (National Hydrography Dataset)
- NLCD (National Land Cover Data)
- National Satellite Land Remote Sensing Data Archive

Return to Home Page

This page is <URL :http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Other_Resources/rdb_topo.html>
Page maintained by Dave Soller (drsoller@usgs.gov)
last update: Feb. 16, 2004