National Map

National Map
Name	National Map
Type	Geographic information system, Web mapping
Owner	United States Geological Survey
Launch date	2001
Current status	Active

National Map. The National Map is a collaborative effort led by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to provide current, consistent, and authoritative geospatial data for the United States. It serves as a foundational digital map and information service, integrating data from numerous federal, state, and local partners to support a wide range of applications. The platform delivers essential base map layers, including topography, hydrography, boundaries, transportation, and land cover, through a suite of viewer and data download services.

Overview

The primary goal of the National Map is to serve as a critical geospatial data backbone for the nation, supporting scientific analysis, emergency response, land management, and public recreation. It functions as a key component of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), promoting data sharing and standardization across all levels of government. Managed by the USGS National Geospatial Program, the service provides both visual mapping interfaces and direct access to terabytes of raw geospatial data. Its data underpin countless decisions made by agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.

History and development

The concept evolved from the USGS's long-standing role in producing the nation's primary topographic map series, which began in the late 19th century. A major transition occurred in the 1990s with the Digital Revolution and initiatives like the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, which emphasized digital data sharing. The National Map was formally launched in 2001 as a strategic plan to modernize the USGS topographic mapping program, moving from static paper maps to dynamic digital databases. Subsequent milestones included the integration of The National Map Corps volunteer program for data collection and the transition to the current "National Map 3D" platform, which leverages advanced cloud computing and APIs.

Data sources and content

Data is compiled from a vast network of authoritative sources, including other federal agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Census Bureau, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Core data themes include high-resolution elevation data from the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), orthoimagery from the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP), updated geographic names from the Board on Geographic Names, and comprehensive transportation networks. The Hydrography theme is managed through the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), while structures data are contributed by volunteers via The National Map Corps. All data adhere to rigorous standards set by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC).

Access and usage

Users access the resource primarily through the web-based National Map Viewer and the USGS Store, which allow for visualization, querying, and data export. For advanced users and applications, data can be downloaded directly via the National Map Download Client or accessed through various OGC-compliant web services, such as WMS and WFS. The TopoView application provides access to historical USGS topographic map editions. Programmatic access is facilitated through REST APIs, enabling integration into other GIS platforms like Esri's ArcGIS and open-source tools such as QGIS.

Applications

Its data are fundamental for flood risk management, wildfire planning, and response coordination by agencies like FEMA and the United States Forest Service. Civil engineers and urban planners utilize the elevation and imagery data for infrastructure projects, while scientists employ it for ecological modeling and climate change research. The platform is also critical for GPS and navigation systems, supporting the Next Generation 9-1-1 initiative. Furthermore, it provides the base mapping for popular recreational applications and is used extensively in education and by the general public for exploration and trip planning.

Related initiatives

The program is closely aligned with the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP), which aims to complete nationwide lidar and IfSAR data collection. It is a cornerstone of the broader National Spatial Data Infrastructure and supports the U.S. GeoPlatform managed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee. Internationally, it shares methodologies with similar national mapping agencies like Ordnance Survey in the United Kingdom and Natural Resources Canada. It also feeds data into the interagency Geospatial Platform and supports the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) for critical mineral research.

Category:United States Geological Survey Category:Web mapping Category:Digital maps Category:Geography of the United States