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United States topographic map

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United States topographic map, elevation, terrain

United States topographic map, elevation, terrain

United States

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 expansive Great Plains, which stretch for over 1,300 miles and are noted for their flatness, averaging around 1,000 feet in elevation​. The western region is dominated by the Rocky Mountains, where elevations soar, including Denali in Alaska, the highest point in North America at 20,310 feet. This mountainous terrain gives way to varied landscapes such as plateaus and canyons, particularly in the Four Corners area​. Additionally, the Great Basin features an array of fault-block mountains and valleys that create a unique pattern of alternating high and low terrain, while the Pacific Northwest is marked by volcanic activity, leading to rugged, scenic vistas​. Overall, the U.S. showcases a rich tapestry of geological formations and elevations, reflecting its complex geological history and climatic conditions.

About this map

Name: United States topographic map, elevation, terrain.

Location: United States (-14.76084 -180.00000 71.58895 180.00000)

Average elevation: 1,014 ft

Minimum elevation: -95 ft

Maximum elevation: 16,407 ft

Routes: United States GPS tracks, routes, trails, hikes

Other topographic maps

Click on a map to view its topography, its elevation and its terrain.

Ocean Shores

United States > Washington > Grays Harbor County

Ocean Shores is set on relatively flat coastal terrain. The city's elevation averages about 10 to 15 feet (3 to 5 meters) above sea level, typical for much of the Washington coast's beach communities​. It sits on a spit of land between the Pacific Ocean to the west and Grays Harbor to the east. This unique…

Average elevation: 3 ft

Seattle

United States > Washington > King County

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

United States > New York

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

United States

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 Francisco

United States > California

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

Oregon

United States

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

Florida

United States

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

Portland

United States > Oregon > Multnomah County

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

Arizona

United States

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

Schuylkill County

United States > Pennsylvania

Average elevation: 938 ft

Virginia

United States

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

Salt Lake City

United States > Utah > Salt Lake County

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

Texas

United States

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

San Antonio

United States > Texas > Bexar County

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

San Diego

United States > California

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

Saint Petersburg

United States > Florida > Pinellas County

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

Pennsylvania

United States

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

Austin

United States > Texas > Travis County

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

Pittsburgh

United States > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County

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

Las Vegas

United States > Nevada > Clark County

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

Mount Pocono

United States > Pennsylvania > Monroe County

Average elevation: 1,762 ft

Houston

United States > Texas > Harris County

Houston is characterized by its predominantly flat topography, sitting at an average elevation of approximately 59 feet (18 meters) above sea level. The city is situated on the Gulf Coastal Plain, which is dissected by a network of bayous that contribute to the region's drainage. This terrain was once covered…

Average elevation: 82 ft

Nashville-Davidson

United States > Tennessee > Davidson County

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

Boston

United States > Massachusetts > Suffolk County

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

Michigan

United States

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

Dallas

United States > Texas > Dallas County

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

Bend

United States > Oregon > Deschutes County

Bend is characterized by its distinctive topography, situated at an elevation of approximately 3,623 feet (1,105 meters) above sea level. The city lies within the high desert region of Central Oregon, bordered by the Cascade Mountains to the west, which provide a dramatic backdrop with peaks like the Three…

Average elevation: 3,678 ft

Phoenix

United States > Arizona > Maricopa County

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

Renton

United States > Washington > King County

Average elevation: 272 ft

Kansas City

United States > Missouri > Jackson County

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

Ohio

United States

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

Charleston

United States > South Carolina > Charleston County

Charleston is characterized by its relatively flat topography, with an average elevation of about 10 feet above sea level, making it prone to flooding during heavy rains and storms. The city is situated on a peninsula bordered by the Ashley River to the west and the Cooper River to the east, creating a natural…

Average elevation: 13 ft

Gresham

United States > Oregon > Multnomah County

Though much of Gresham is relatively flat, it is characterized by a hill on its eastern border. Northeast Gresham is also hilly, particularly where the city meets Troutdale toward the Columbia River. Its elevation is 325 feet (99 m). Johnson Creek, which begins at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, runs…

Average elevation: 295 ft

Missouri

United States

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

Illinois

United States

Illinois features a diverse topography characterized primarily by broad, fertile plains and some hilly regions. The state is predominantly flat, with about 90% covered by the Central Plains, particularly the Till Plains, which are rich agricultural lands shaped by glacial activity during the last Ice Age. The…

Average elevation: 699 ft

Chicago

United States > Illinois > Cook County

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

Atlanta

United States > Georgia > Fulton County

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

Mount Everest

Nepal > Eastern Development Region > Khumjung

Mount Everest (Chinese: 珠穆朗玛 Zhūmùlǎngmǎ; Nepali: सगरमाथा Sagarmāthā; Tibetan: Chomolungma ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ) is Earth's highest mountain above sea level, located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. The China–Nepal border runs across its summit…

Average elevation: 25,725 ft

Ukraine

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

Miami

United States > Florida > Miami-Dade County

Miami is characterized by its unique topography, which features a broad coastal plain lying between the expansive Everglades to the west and the tranquil waters of Biscayne Bay to the east. The average elevation across the city is approximately 16 feet (5 meters) above sea level, with some areas dipping…

Average elevation: 16 ft