In this video, you will learn how to download topographic maps of the United States of America, which is a key product by United States Geological Survey (USGS).

topoView is an extremely snappy web portal created by the National Geologic Map Database project (NGMDB), and provides a number of options to locate and download topographic maps all across the US. You can refine your search by specifying further details such as location and a time range, and topoView will display all the available maps, automatically sorted by the date for the region of interest you selected.

Topographic maps from various time periods covering the entire United States serve a range of valuable purposes. Firstly, they provide a historical record of the changing landscape, documenting alterations in land use, urban development, and infrastructure over time. Researchers and historians can utilize these maps to study the evolution of cities, transportation networks, and natural features. Secondly, topo maps assist in environmental and ecological analyses, allowing scientists to assess changes in vegetation cover, water bodies, and geological formations. They provide a baseline for monitoring land degradation, habitat loss, and the impact of climate change. Additionally, these maps are invaluable for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and backpackers as they provide detailed information on terrain, elevation, and natural features, enabling safe navigation and exploration. Lastly, topo maps aid in urban and rural planning, helping professionals make informed decisions regarding land use zoning, infrastructure development, and resource management. By examining the historical progression of these maps, valuable insights can be gained to inform sustainable and efficient planning practices.

Using topoView, you can also download the maps in a number of different file formats such as JPEG, KML, GeoTIFF and GeoPDF.

Access topoView https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/