Editing Topography (section)

===Topographic mapping===
{{Main|Topographic map}}
[[File:Europe topography map.png|thumb|A map of [[Europe]] using elevation modeling]]
In its contemporary definition, topographic mapping shows relief. In the United States, [[USGS]] topographic maps show relief using [[contour lines]]. The USGS calls maps based on topographic surveys, but without contours, "planimetric maps."

These maps show not only the contours, but also any significant streams or other bodies of water, [[forest cover]], built-up areas or individual buildings (depending on scale), and other features and points of interest.

While not officially "topographic" maps, the national surveys of other nations share many of the same features, and so they are often called "topographic maps."

Existing topographic survey maps, because of their comprehensive and encyclopedic coverage, form the basis for much derived topographic work. Digital Elevation Models, for example, have often been created not from new remote sensing data but from existing paper topographic maps. Many government and private publishers use the artwork (especially the contour lines) from existing topographic map sheets as the basis for their own specialized or updated topographic maps.<ref>See for example the publications of [http://www.ngmapstore.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=54 National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116063243/http://www.ngmapstore.com/jump.jsp?itemID=54&itemType=CATEGORY |date=2006-11-16 }} and [[DeLorme]] products.</ref>

Topographic mapping should not be confused with [[geological map]]ping. The latter is concerned with underlying structures and processes to the surface, rather than with identifiable surface features.