Topographic maps

The topography of the United States is characterized by diverse and dynamic landscapes that vary widely across the country. In the east, rolling hills and low mountains transition into the Appalachian Mountains, featuring peaks that generally reach around 6,684 feet. Moving westward, the terrain shifts to the…

Average elevation: 1,014 ft

Seattle features a diverse topography characterized by its unique geographical setting between Puget Sound and Lake Washington. The city is situated on an isthmus, which contributes to its dramatic landscape, featuring rolling hills and steep slopes that rise abruptly from the waterfront. The average elevation…

Average elevation: 131 ft

New York City's topography is a fascinating blend of varied elevations and unique landscapes, reflecting its diverse geography across five boroughs. Situated at the confluence of the Hudson and East Rivers, the city primarily features low-lying terrain, with the average elevation hovering around sea level.…

Average elevation: 62 ft

California's topography is characterized by a remarkable diversity that includes expansive mountain ranges, deep valleys, and vast deserts. The Sierra Nevada mountains dominate the eastern part of the state, with peaks such as Mount Whitney rising to 14,494 feet, making it the tallest point in the contiguous…

Average elevation: 3,048 ft

San Diego is characterized by a diverse topography that features coastal plains, rolling hills, and rugged mountain ranges. The city is situated along the Pacific Ocean, where it boasts an extensive shoreline with sandy beaches and tidal zones. As you move inland, the landscape transitions from the flat…

Average elevation: 410 ft

Virginia's topography is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from the Atlantic Coastal Plain in the east to the mountainous regions in the west. The Coastal Plain features flat, low-lying areas that gradually rise to the Piedmont, known for its rolling hills and valleys. Further west, the…

Average elevation: 814 ft

San Francisco is characterized by its striking and varied topography, making it one of the most distinctive cities in the United States. The landscape features a mix of rolling hills and steep inclines, with the highest elevation reaching approximately 922 feet at Twin Peaks. The average elevation across the…

Average elevation: 207 ft

Pennsylvania's topography is characterized by its rich diversity, ranging from the rugged Appalachian Mountains in the south to the flatlands of the northern plateau. The state's elevation varies significantly, with the highest point being Mount Davis at approximately 3,213 feet and the lowest at sea level…

Average elevation: 1,115 ft

Colorado's topography is characterized by a diverse range of elevations and landforms, making it one of the most geologically varied states in the U.S. The state is dominated by the Rocky Mountains, which run north to south and include the highest peak in the contiguous United States, Mount Elbert, towering at…

Average elevation: 6,759 ft

Michigan's topography is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from flat plains to rugged hills. The state comprises two peninsulas, with the Upper Peninsula showcasing more pronounced elevation changes, including its highest point, Mount Arvon, which rises to 1,979 feet (603 meters). In…

Average elevation: 850 ft

Texas showcases a diverse and expansive topography that spans approximately 268,000 square miles, making it the second-largest state in the United States. The landscape ranges from the arid deserts of West Texas, characterized by broad valleys and mesas, to the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country, where…

Average elevation: 1,699 ft

Denver, situated at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,609 meters), is renowned as the "Mile High City." It is located in the South Platte River Valley, just east of the Rocky Mountains' foothills. The city's topography features a gently sloping landscape characterized by rolling hills and wide valleys,…

Average elevation: 5,525 ft

Arizona's topography is highly diverse, shaped by three distinct regions: the Colorado Plateau, the Basin and Range Province, and the Transition Zone. The northern Colorado Plateau is characterized by flat, high plains over 4,000 feet in elevation, including the Grand Canyon and its breathtaking cliffs. In…

Average elevation: 4,032 ft

Philadelphia, located at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, features a diverse topography characterized by its gentle slopes and valleys. The city lies on the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line, transitioning from the flat Coastal Plain to the more rugged Piedmont region. This unique geographical…

Average elevation: 144 ft

Florida's topography is characterized by its predominantly flat landscape, with the highest elevation being Britton Hill at just 345 feet above sea level, making it the lowest high point of any U.S. state. The state is primarily divided into three physiographic regions: the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the East…

Average elevation: 20 ft

Oregon's topography is strikingly diverse, characterized by an array of geographical features that shape its unique landscape. The state is framed by two significant mountain ranges: the Pacific Coast Range to the west and the Cascade Mountains running north to south through the center. This mountainous…

Average elevation: 3,077 ft

Wisconsin's topography is characterized by a diverse landscape shaped by glacial activity, resulting in a mixture of rolling hills, flat plains, and numerous lakes. The state’s highest point is Timms Hill, reaching an elevation of 1,952 feet, while its lowest point is the shore of Lake Michigan at…

Average elevation: 988 ft

Austin features a diverse and varied topography shaped by its position along the Balcones Fault. The city’s elevation ranges from about 425 feet to approximately 1,000 feet above sea level, creating a landscape characterized by rolling hills and elevated areas particularly in the western regions. To the…

Average elevation: 709 ft

Las Vegas is characterized by its distinctive topography, which features a mix of arid desert landscapes and mountainous terrain. The city itself sits at an elevation of approximately 2,030 feet (620 meters) above sea level, while the surrounding peaks reach heights exceeding 10,000 feet (3,000 meters),…

Average elevation: 2,480 ft

Missouri's topography is marked by a diverse array of landforms that contribute to its unique landscape. The state is characterized by four main physiographic regions: the Ozark Plateau, Dissected Till Plains, Mississippi Alluvial Plain, and the Osage Plains. The Ozark Plateau, located in the south, features…

Average elevation: 827 ft

Manhattan, a densely populated urban island, has a diverse topography characterized by its generally flat terrain interspersed with elevated areas. The average elevation is about 50 feet (15 meters) above sea level, with its highest point reaching approximately 265 feet (81 meters) at Bennett Park in…

Average elevation: 52 ft

Portland features a striking and varied topography characterized by its location at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. The city lies within the fertile Willamette Valley, flanked by the snow-capped Cascade Mountains to the east, including the prominent Mount Hood, and the less elevated…

Average elevation: 253 ft

Saint Petersburg features a predominantly flat topography characteristic of the Gulf Coast region. The city's elevation averages around 44 feet (approximately 13.4 meters) above sea level, with some areas dipping to about 15 feet (4.6 meters)​. This relatively low elevation contributes to the area's…

Average elevation: 13 ft

Nashville-Davidson, features a diverse topography characterized by its position in the Nashville Basin and the Highland Rim. The terrain is predominantly hilly, with elevations ranging from approximately 385 feet at the Cumberland River to around 1,163 feet in areas like Radnor Lake State Natural Area. This…

Average elevation: 604 ft

Average elevation: 1,516 ft

Tennessee features a diverse and varied topography characterized by its distinct regions, which include the Appalachian Mountains, the Central Basin, and the Gulf Coastal Plain. The state’s highest point is Clingmans Dome, rising to about 6,643 feet above sea level, while the lowest point is along the…

Average elevation: 764 ft

Ohio's topography is characterized by a diverse landscape that ranges from the flat plains in the north to the rolling hills and rugged terrain in the southeast. The state can be divided into several distinct regions, including the Great Lakes Plains to the north, the Central Plains in the west, and the…

Average elevation: 912 ft

North Carolina features a diverse topography that can be divided into three distinct regions: the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, and the Appalachian Mountains. The Coastal Plain, which occupies the eastern part of the state, is characterized by flat and gently sloping land, with elevations typically less than…

Average elevation: 535 ft

Atlanta features a varied topography characterized by its rolling hills and elevated terrain. The city sits at an average elevation of approximately 1,050 feet (320 meters) above sea level, with elevations ranging from about 725 feet (221 meters) to 1,175 feet (358 meters) in the surrounding areas​. This…

Average elevation: 932 ft

South Carolina's topography is defined by three major geographic regions: the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Covering approximately two-thirds of the state, the Atlantic Coastal Plain is characterized by flat, gently rolling terrain that transitions from the sandy beaches…

Average elevation: 279 ft

Average elevation: 6,903 ft

Lake Tahoe is renowned for its dramatic topography, characterized by rugged mountain ranges and deep, crystal-clear waters. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, the lake itself lies at an elevation of approximately 6,225 feet (1,897 meters) and spans about 22 miles (35 kilometers) in length and 12 miles (19…

Average elevation: 6,814 ft

Dallas features a predominantly flat terrain characterized by elevations generally ranging from 450 to 550 feet (137 to 168 meters) above sea level. The landscape is shaped significantly by the western edge of the Austin Chalk Formation, a limestone escarpment known as the White Rock Escarpment, which rises…

Average elevation: 525 ft

Salt Lake City's topography is characterized by a striking contrast between its flat valley floor and the surrounding rugged mountains. The city is situated in the Salt Lake Valley, with an average elevation of approximately 4,237 feet above sea level, making it one of the higher major cities in the United…

Average elevation: 5,223 ft

Washington State's topography is characterized by dramatic contrasts, shaped primarily by the formidable Cascade Mountain Range that divides the state into distinct western and eastern regions. The western part is marked by rugged mountains, lush forests, and a plethora of lakes, resulting from glacial…

Average elevation: 2,612 ft

Average elevation: 318 ft

San Antonio features a diverse topography characterized by gently rolling hills and flat plains. The city's elevation averages around 650 feet above sea level, but nearby areas can reach heights of up to 1,300 feet in certain locations like Cross Mountain​. The landscape is part of the southern edge of the…

Average elevation: 810 ft

Tampa is characterized by a predominantly flat topography, with an average elevation around 16 to 49 feet above sea level. The terrain is marked by low-lying areas and gentle slopes, with the highest points in the vicinity reaching approximately 62 feet. This landscape is interspersed with numerous water…

Average elevation: 36 ft

Oʻahu exhibits a striking and diverse topography shaped primarily by its volcanic origins and subsequent erosion. The island features a rugged landscape dominated by two prominent volcanic mountains, Koʻolau and Waiʻanae, which rise sharply from the coastline, reaching elevations of approximately 4,000…

Average elevation: 259 ft

Albuquerque features a striking topography characterized by its elevation and diverse geological formations. The city sits at an approximate elevation of 4,900 feet (1,500 meters) near the Rio Grande, rising dramatically to over 6,700 feet (2,000 meters) in the foothills of the nearby Sandia Mountains. These…

Average elevation: 5,538 ft

Phoenix is characterized by a unique topographical landscape nestled in the Salt River Valley. This valley, at an average elevation of about 1,086 feet, is framed by several prominent mountain ranges, creating a striking contrast between the flat plains and elevated terrains​. Notable peaks such as Camelback…

Average elevation: 1,578 ft

Naples features a predominantly flat and low-lying topography. The city sits at an elevation of approximately 5 to 10 feet above sea level, contributing to its coastal and marshy characteristics. The terrain is mostly characterized by sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, interspersed with wetlands and…

Average elevation: 10 ft

West Virginia is located entirely within the Appalachian Region, and the state is almost entirely mountainous, giving the reason for the nickname The Mountain State and the motto Montani Semper Liberi ("Mountaineers are always free"). The elevations and ruggedness drop near large rivers like the Ohio River or…

Average elevation: 1,411 ft

Average elevation: 16 ft

Boston features a diverse and dynamic topography that shapes its character. The city is primarily located on the Shawmut Peninsula and encompasses a mix of coastal plains and rolling hills. Its average elevation hovers around 85 feet, with the highest point being Bellevue Hill at approximately 330 feet​. The…

Average elevation: 82 ft

Pittsburgh, located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, is characterized by its distinct and varied topography, shaped by the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers. The city itself is situated at an average elevation of approximately 764 feet (233 meters) above sea level, with the terrain…

Average elevation: 994 ft

Raleigh features a topography primarily defined by its position along the fall line, which is the geological boundary between the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. This area experiences a gradual elevation drop of approximately 150 to 350 feet over a distance of 1 to 3 miles as one moves eastward. The city's…

Average elevation: 338 ft

Tucson is situated on an alluvial plain in the Sonoran Desert, at an elevation of approximately 2,400 feet (730 meters) above sea level. The city is enveloped by five mountain ranges, which contribute significantly to its varied topography. To the north lie the Santa Catalina and Tortolita Mountains, while the…

Average elevation: 2,697 ft

Kansas City features a diverse topography characterized by rolling hills and valleys, with elevations ranging from about 794 to 997 feet above sea level. The landscape is shaped by the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers, resulting in a mix of elevated areas and flat river plains. The region's average…

Average elevation: 909 ft

Utah's topography is characterized by a stunning variety of landscapes, reflecting its geological complexity and rich natural history. The state is primarily shaped by the Colorado Plateau and the Basin and Range province, resulting in a diverse terrain that includes rugged mountain ranges, deep canyons, and…

Average elevation: 6,155 ft

Oklahoma City is situated in a region characterized by diverse topography that reflects the broader geographical features of the state. The terrain predominantly consists of gently rolling plains, which gradually rise in elevation toward the west, where the land transitions into the rugged Arbuckle Mountains.…

Average elevation: 1,188 ft

Alabama's topography is characterized by a diverse and intricate landscape that varies significantly across its regions. In the northern and northeastern parts, the terrain features the hilly and mountainous Appalachian Highlands, including the notable Cheaha Mountain, which rises to an elevation of 2,407 feet…

Average elevation: 446 ft

Average elevation: 1,591 ft

Due to its elevation, Snoqualmie Pass experiences significantly lower temperatures than Seattle, and receives much more precipitation, much of it being snow. Snoqualmie Pass has a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dsb bordering Csb) with cold, very wet and snowy winters, and mild to warm, relatively dry…

Average elevation: 3,438 ft

Mexico City is situated in the Valley of Mexico, an expansive highland region characterized by a unique and varied topography. The city itself rests at an elevation of approximately 7,350 feet (2,240 meters) above sea level, surrounded by formidable mountain ranges, including the Sierra de Guadalupe to the…

Average elevation: 8,593 ft

Santa Clara County features a diverse and varied topography characterized by both low-lying valleys and rugged mountainous regions. The county encompasses a significant portion of Silicon Valley, where flat, urbanized areas are interspersed with rolling hills and foothills that rise sharply in the Santa Cruz…

Average elevation: 1,060 ft

Ukraine's topography is characterized by a striking contrast of features across its vast landscape. The country predominantly consists of fertile plains and steppes, especially in the central and southern regions, where elevations typically range from sea level to around 600 meters (1,969 feet) above sea…

Average elevation: 600 ft

China's topography is characterized by dramatic contrasts, presenting a varied landscape that can be understood as a three-step staircase ascending from east to west. The eastern lowlands feature vast, fertile plains, such as the North China Plain and the Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain, which are vital…

Average elevation: 2,956 ft

Bainbridge Island is characterized by diverse topography shaped by glacial activity during the last Ice Age. The island features gently rolling hills interspersed with flat lowlands and steep coastal bluffs. Elevations range from sea level along the shoreline to about 425 feet at its highest points, with…

Average elevation: 79 ft

Eugene is characterized by a varied topography that contributes to its picturesque landscapes. The city sits at an average elevation of about 426 feet (130 meters) and is nestled within the Willamette Valley, surrounded by the foothills of the Cascade Mountains to the east, which rise significantly in…

Average elevation: 535 ft

Delaware's topography is characterized by a distinctive blend of low-lying plains and gentle hills, reflective of its geographical positioning on the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Appalachian Piedmont. The state predominantly features flat terrain, especially in its southern regions, where elevations rarely…

Average elevation: 52 ft

Average elevation: 604 ft

El Paso is characterized by a diverse and striking topography shaped by its desert environment and mountainous landscapes. The city is situated at an average elevation of approximately 3,700 feet above sea level, surrounded by the rugged Franklin Mountains to the west, where peaks exceed 7,000 feet​. This…

Average elevation: 4,058 ft

Belize showcases a diverse topography characterized by a variety of landscapes ranging from coastal plains to rugged mountains. The eastern region features a narrow coastal plain that runs along the Caribbean Sea, characterized by flat terrains interspersed with mangrove swamps, sandy beaches, and lagoons, as…

Average elevation: 427 ft

Average elevation: 180 ft

Cary is seated on the boundary between the Durham Basin with its softer sedimentary rocks and the piedmont with its harder metamorphic rocks; both geologic provinces have igneous rock intrusions. The landscape is typically gentle to moderate sloping hills separated by narrow V-shaped valleys, but there are…

Average elevation: 364 ft

Chicago is characterized by its predominantly flat terrain, with an average elevation of about 579 feet (176 meters) above sea level. The city's landscape is primarily shaped by its proximity to Lake Michigan to the east, which influences local weather and provides a scenic waterfront. While the central areas…

Average elevation: 597 ft

Boone is located at 36°12′41″N 81°40′7″W / 36.21139°N 81.66861°W / 36.21139; -81.66861 (36.211364, −81.668657) and has an elevation of 3,333 feet (1015.9 m) above sea level. An earlier survey gave the elevation as 3,332 ft and since then it has been published as having an elevation of…

Average elevation: 3,507 ft

Reno is characterized by its diverse topography, which is shaped by its elevation and the surrounding mountain ranges. Situated at an average elevation of approximately 4,500 feet (about 1,370 meters), the city is nestled in a high desert region that features a mix of flat valleys and gently rolling hills​.…

Average elevation: 5,413 ft

Tallahassee features a distinctive topography that is characterized by hilly terrain, which is somewhat atypical for the generally flat landscape of the state. The city is located at the southern end of the Red Hills Region and just above the Cody Scarp, with elevations ranging from about 7 feet near its low…

Average elevation: 118 ft

Los Angeles is characterized by a diverse and dynamic topography. The city is predominantly situated in a basin bordered by mountain ranges, including the Santa Monica Mountains to the north and the San Gabriel Mountains to the east, with elevations reaching up to about 10,000 feet in certain areas​. This…

Average elevation: 791 ft

Oklahoma features a diverse and complex topography characterized by its mixture of plains, plateaus, and mountainous regions. The state is divided into distinct physiographic regions, including the flat Prairie Plains that dominate much of the northern and central areas, and the rugged Ozark Plateau in the…

Average elevation: 1,339 ft

Average elevation: 230 ft

Average elevation: 469 ft

Catalina is primarily composed of two distinct rock units: Catalina Schist from the Early Cretaceous (95 to 109 million years ago), and Miocene volcanic and intrusive igneous rocks. The island is rich in quartz, to the extent that some beaches on the seaward side have silvery-grey sand. These formations…

Average elevation: 197 ft

Europe's topography is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions dramatically from its mountainous southern regions to expansive northern plains. The continent is often described as a "peninsula of peninsulas," comprising various prominent peninsulas like the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan, which are…

Average elevation: 732 ft

Average elevation: 20 ft

Bellingham is characterized by a diverse and striking topography that combines coastal and mountainous landscapes. The city lies along the eastern shore of Bellingham Bay, where the waters of the Puget Sound meet the foothills of the Cascade Range. Rising abruptly from the shoreline, the surrounding hills and…

Average elevation: 292 ft

Average elevation: 56 ft

Lincoln is situated on the Great Plains, characterized by gently rolling terrain that rises from about 1,100 feet above sea level to approximately 1,400 feet in the surrounding areas. The city is primarily composed of prairies and grasslands, interspersed with wooded areas and small hills. The landscape…

Average elevation: 1,243 ft

Average elevation: 492 ft

Average elevation: 272 ft

Newport Beach extends in elevation from sea level to the 1,161 ft (354 m) summit of Signal Peak in the San Joaquin Hills, but the official elevation is 25 ft (7.6 m) above sea level at a location of 33°37′0″N 117°53′51″W / 33.61667°N 117.89750°W / 33.61667; -117.89750 (33.616671, −117.897604).

Average elevation: 46 ft

During winter, snow occasionally falls in the higher elevations of the Santa Lucia Mountains and Gabilan Mountains that overlook Monterey, but snow in Monterey itself is extremely rare. A few unusual events in January 1962, February 1976, and December 1997 brought a light coating of snow to Monterey. In March…

Average elevation: 164 ft

Baja California is the 12th-largest state by area in Mexico. Its geography ranges from beaches to forests and deserts. The backbone of the state is the Sierra de Baja California, where Picacho del Diablo, the highest point of the peninsula, is located. This mountain range effectively divides the weather…

Average elevation: 587 ft

Big Sky is characterized by its dramatic and diverse topography, which forms part of the northern Rocky Mountains. The area features an elevation that ranges from around 5,500 feet in the valleys to more than 11,000 feet at its peaks, including the notable Lone Peak. This mountainous terrain is interspersed…

Average elevation: 7,989 ft

The approximate elevation of Las Cruces is 3,908 feet (1,191 m) above sea level.

Average elevation: 4,255 ft

Average elevation: 787 ft

The steep mountains, rolling hills, and valleys surrounding the region are part of the Appalachian Ridge-and-Valley Province, and Johnson City is just west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Roan Mountain, with an elevation of over 6,000 feet (1,800 m), is approximately 20 miles (32 km) to the southeast of the city.…

Average elevation: 1,683 ft

Pensacola features a diverse topography characterized primarily by its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the sheltered Pensacola Bay. The terrain gently slopes upward from the waterfront, resulting in a gradual elevation that provides natural protection against storm surges, making it somewhat less…

Average elevation: 69 ft

Sonora is located at 37°59′04″N 120°22′54″W / 37.984361°N 120.381767°W / 37.984361; -120.381767, around the intersection of California State Highways 49 and 108 The altitude is 1,825 feet (556 m). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles…

Average elevation: 2,018 ft

Fairbanks is situated within the central Tanana Valley, characterized by a diverse and dynamic topography. The city straddles the Chena River, which flows southwest into the larger Tanana River, defining Fairbanks' southern border. To the north, a gradual incline leads into a chain of hills that ascend toward…

Average elevation: 479 ft

Columbus is situated in the rolling hills of the Central Lowlands region, characterized by a predominantly flat to gently undulating terrain. The city itself is nestled on the banks of the Scioto River, which flows northward through the area, providing a picturesque waterfront and a variety of recreational…

Average elevation: 856 ft

Birmingham has a varied and rugged topography shaped by the nearby Appalachian foothills. The city sits at an average elevation of around 600 feet (183 meters), though it is surrounded by more dramatic terrain that rises higher to 1,000 feet (305 meters) in some areas, particularly to the south and east​.…

Average elevation: 633 ft

Alaska's topography is characterized by dramatic contrasts, featuring a diverse array of mountainous regions, vast plains, and intricate coastlines. The Alaska Range, home to Denali, rises to an elevation of 20,310 feet, making it the highest peak in North America. This mountain range exhibits significant…

Average elevation: 679 ft

Puerto Rico features a diverse topography characterized by a mountainous interior, coastal plains, and stunning beaches. The island's central region is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountain range, which includes the highest peak, Cerro de Punta, rising to 4,390 feet (1,338 meters). These mountains…

Average elevation: 213 ft

The city slopes gently from the northwest to southeast on a till plain composed largely of glacial and lake clay. The most notable topographical feature in the city is the Detroit Moraine, a broad clay ridge on which the older portions of Detroit and Windsor are located, rising approximately 62 feet (19 m)…

Average elevation: 614 ft

Maryland's topography is notably diverse, characterized by distinct geographic regions that showcase a variety of landscapes. The state can be divided into three major landforms: the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, and the Appalachian region, which includes the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. The Coastal…

Average elevation: 489 ft

Kansas features a diverse yet subtle topography shaped by its position within the Great Plains. The eastern regions exhibit rolling hills and fertile soil, characterized by the Dissected Till Plains and Flint Hills, where prairie grasses thrive on rocky terrain. As you move westward, the land gradually ascends…

Average elevation: 1,972 ft

Average elevation: 659 ft