Portland State University Library
Map Collection

Telephone: 503.725.4126 / 503.725.4128
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TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

"One of the most widely used of all maps is the topographic map. The feature that most distinguishes topographic maps from maps of other types is the use of contour lines to portray the shape and elevation of the land. Topographic maps render the three-dimensional ups and downs of the terrain on a two-dimensional surface....They show and name works of nature including mountains, valleys, plains, lakes, rivers, and vegetation. They also identify the principal works of man, such as roads, boundaries, transmission lines, and major buildings." (From http://mac.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/topo/topo.html) PSU Library maintains a set of topographic maps for various states, national parks, and other subdivisions of the United States. These maps are stored in Map Cases 1-12. Below you will find descriptions of the USGS-published topographic series and a list of indexes to them. Back to top DESCRIPTION   The topographic maps are published in series, each of which has a defining scale:   Primary (7.5-minute) map series (1:24,000) County map series (1:50,000) 15-minute map series (1:62,500) --This series was abandoned effective 1 June 1996. USGS 7.5-minute (1:24,000) series is the official replacement for the 15-minute series, except for Alaska which is not yet mapped to 1:24,000. Fifteen-minute quadrangles, along with historic editions of all maps, are kept only for the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Nevada. 30 x 60 minute series (1:100,000) 1 x 2 degree series (1:250,000) Sectional map series (1:2,000,000) State map series (1:500,000 and 1:1,000,000)   The quadrangles of the Primary and County map series are arranged alphabetically by state, and alphabetically by quadrangle name within each state. Other series are arranged alphabetically by map name. In addition to the above, the U.S.G.S. publishes the following topographic series:   Antarctica U.S.-Mexico Border Maps National Parks and Monuments Back to top INDEXES Title Description Location 7.5 minute Quadrangle Names. USGS State index maps for Primary map series (scale 1:24,000). MAP ROOM Catalog of Topographic and other Published Maps. USGS   A companion publication to the above. Alphabetically lists maps and map products, grouped by map type and scale, including names, dates, and prices of all available maps: topographic maps, orthophotoquads, State maps, satellite images, United States maps, and World maps. WORKROOM 484 Index to 1:250,000-scale U.S.-Mexico Border Color Image Maps. USGS Fold out index map of maps published in this series.   READY REFERENCE Index to Intermediate-Scale Mapping. USGS Fold out index map of topographic, planimeetric and county format maps on the 1:100,000 and 1:150,000 scales. READY REFERENCE, MAP ROOM Index to Topographic and other Map Coverage. USGS Fold out state index maps that identify quadrangle areas by map name and scale. Also an index map for the Antarctica series. READY REFERENCE, MAP ROOM Back to top ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Topographic Map Symbols. USGS (READY REFERENCE, ONLINE) This pamphlet, which is also available online, is a guide to symbols for topographic maps, representing such features as streets, buildings, streams and woods. USGS Maps. USGS (READY REFERENCE, ONLINE) Provides descriptions and sample images of maps published by the USGS. Back to top

 

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