National Map
Encyclopedia
The National Map is a collaborative effort of the United States Geological Survey
(USGS) and other federal, state, and local agencies to improve and deliver topographic information for the United States
. The purpose of the effort is to provide "...a seamless, continuously maintained set of public domain geographic base information that will serve as a foundation for integrating, sharing, and using other data easily and consistently".
The National Map is part of the USGS National Geospatial Program. The geographic information available includes orthoimagery (aerial photographs), elevation
, geographic names
, hydrography
, boundaries, transportation, structures and land cover. The National Map is accessible via the Web
, as products and services, and as downloadable data. Its uses range from recreation to scientific analysis to emergency response.
The National Map is a significant contribution to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and currently is being transformed to better serve the geospatial
community by providing high quality, integrated geospatial data and improved products and services including new generation digital topographic map
s. In addition, the National Map is foundational to implementation of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Geospatial Modernization Blueprint.
The USGS also utilizes data from The National Map Corps
, which consists of volunteers who devote some of their time to provide cartographic information on structures.
The National Map is the official replacement for the USGS topographic map program.
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
(USGS) and other federal, state, and local agencies to improve and deliver topographic information for the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The purpose of the effort is to provide "...a seamless, continuously maintained set of public domain geographic base information that will serve as a foundation for integrating, sharing, and using other data easily and consistently".
The National Map is part of the USGS National Geospatial Program. The geographic information available includes orthoimagery (aerial photographs), elevation
Elevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
, geographic names
United States Board on Geographic Names
The United States Board on Geographic Names is a United States federal body whose purpose is to establish and maintain uniform usage of geographic names throughout the U.S. government.-Overview:...
, hydrography
Hydrography
Hydrography is the measurement of the depths, the tides and currents of a body of water and establishment of the sea, river or lake bed topography and morphology. Normally and historically for the purpose of charting a body of water for the safe navigation of shipping...
, boundaries, transportation, structures and land cover. The National Map is accessible via the Web
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
, as products and services, and as downloadable data. Its uses range from recreation to scientific analysis to emergency response.
The National Map is a significant contribution to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and currently is being transformed to better serve the geospatial
Geospatial
Geospatial analysis is an approach to applying statistical analysis and other informational techniques to geographically based data. Such analysis employs spatial software and analytical methods with terrestrial or geographic datasets, including geographic information systems and...
community by providing high quality, integrated geospatial data and improved products and services including new generation digital topographic map
Topographic map
A topographic map is a type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief, usually using contour lines in modern mapping, but historically using a variety of methods. Traditional definitions require a topographic map to show both natural and man-made features...
s. In addition, the National Map is foundational to implementation of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Geospatial Modernization Blueprint.
The USGS also utilizes data from The National Map Corps
The National Map Corps
The National Map Corps consists of volunteers who devote some of their time to provide cartographic information to the U.S. Geological Survey. The only requirements to participate are having access to the Internet and a current familiarity with the area being mapped...
, which consists of volunteers who devote some of their time to provide cartographic information on structures.
The National Map is the official replacement for the USGS topographic map program.
External links
- The National Map (USGS)
- National Geospatial Program (USGS)
- USGS Topographic Map Revision
- USGS Aerial Products
- National Spatial Data Infrastructure from the Federal Geographic Data CommitteeFederal Geographic Data CommitteeThe Federal Geographic Data Committee is a United States government committee which promotes the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of geospatial data on a national basis. Its 19 members are representatives from the Executive Office of the President, and Cabinet level and...
- Geospatial Modernization Blueprint from the U.S. Department of the Interior
- MSR Maps - online access to aerial imagery and topographic maps provided by the USGS