Indexes
- USGS Store - Digital File DownloadIdentify United States topographic quadrangles for download. Includes scanned older maps and new digital US Topo maps, all as PDF files.
Printed Topographic Maps
The Maps collection in the Lower Level of the Morris Library includes 7.5-minute topographic maps of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Please ask at the Student Multimedia Design Center desk for assistance. The earlier 15-minute topographic maps of these states are now housed in Special Collections.
In addition to servicing published maps, color topographic maps can be printed from PDF files, available for download from the USGS and Delaware DataMIL. The Center has an HP DesignJet 1055cm Plus printer that prints on a 36" wide roll of glossy or matte paper. The cost is $5 per linear foot.
Online Topographic Maps
Delaware has unique topographic map products, linked from the State Map & Data tab.
- USGS Topographic MapsThe term “US Topo” refers specifically to quadrangle topographic maps published in 2009 and later. These maps are modeled on the familiar 7.5-minute quadrangle maps of the period 1947-1992, but are mass-produced from national GIS databases on a repeating cycle. US Topo maps repackage geographic information system (GIS) data in traditional map form; this benefits non-specialist map users, as well as applications that need traditional maps. The maps include layers not present on most traditional topographic maps, such as aerial photo and shaded relief images. Many additional feature classes have been added over the life of the project, and new and better data sources have been found for others.
- PDF QuadsNational Geographic's easy to use web interface allows anyone to quickly find any 7.5 minute topo in the continental U.S.A. for downloading and printing on US letter size paper. Features include: an overview map showing the topo in context; standard USGS topo cut in quarters to fit on desktop printers; hillshading has been added to maps to help users visualize the topography.
- Gmap4High resolution USGS 1:24,000 topographic maps for the United States in a Google maps interface. Extensive feature set including a touch interface and geolocation on mobile devices.
- Historical Topographic Map Collection (The National Map)The goal of The National Map’s Historical Topographic Map Collection (HTMC) is to provide a digital repository of USGS 1:250,000 scale and larger maps printed between 1884, the inception of the topographic mapping program, and 2006. The National Geospatial Program (NGP) is accurately cataloging and creating metadata to accompany high-resolution, geo-referenced digital files representing the legacy lithographic maps. HTMC maps are published in Portable Document Format (PDF) with geospatial extensions (GeoPDF®), patented by TerraGo Technologies. They are available for download free of charge.
Large Format Printing
Anyone wishing to take an online map into the field should consider printing a copy. Commercial providers, such as FexEx Office, offer large format printing services in person and online. University of Delaware users may consider two on campus locations for printing large format materials.
- FedEx OfficeVendor included for informational purposes.