topography
Surface relief mapping
Topography is the physical features of a land area—its hills, valleys, rivers, and elevations—or the study and mapping of such features.
A region's topography determines where roads can be built and water will flow.
The term extends to any detailed description of surface features: the topography of the brain, the political topography of the region.
Flat highland area
- valleyLow ground between heights
- canyonDeep river-cut gorge
- mesaFlat-topped steep-sided elevation
- butteIsolated flat-topped hill
ridge · plain · basin · delta · fjord · glacier · dune · volcano
Measured height above reference
- heightVertical extent upward
- reliefEasing of distress
- contourBounding line of shape
- gradientRate of change across space
slope · incline · declivity · acclivity · ascent · descent · precipice · trench
Measuring and charting terrain
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- GISSpatial data framework
- LIDARLight-based distance measurement
- photogrammetryDeriving measurements from photographs
remote sensing · geolocation · coordinates · projection · grid · scale · legend · symbol
Study of terrain formation
- geodesyEarth measurement science
- hydrographyStudy of water bodies
- terrain analysisExamination of ground characteristics
- watershedDrainage area boundary
drainage · aspect · hillshade · bathymetry
plateau
Flat highland area
butte · ridge · plain · basin · delta · fjord · glacier · dune · volcano · escarpment
altitude
Measured height above reference
gradient · slope · incline · declivity · acclivity · ascent · descent · precipice · trench · bench
surveying
Measuring and charting terrain
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- GISSpatial data framework
- LIDARLight-based distance measurement
photogrammetry · remote sensing · geolocation · coordinates · projection · grid · scale · legend · symbol · contour lines
geomorphology
Study of terrain formation
- geodesyEarth measurement science
- hydrographyStudy of water bodies
- terrain analysisExamination of ground characteristics
watershed · drainage · aspect · hillshade · bathymetry
tundra
Frigid treeless biome
- savannaTropical grassland, sparse trees
- rainforestWet tropical woodland ecosystem
- desertTo leave behind completely
steppe · moorland · wetland · grassland · taiga · pampas · heath · marshland · fen · bayou
- geography topicsGIS, GPS, mapping, digital maps, Google Maps
- planetary scienceplanetary cores, planet formation, planetary formation, planetary rings, atmospheres
- antique mapsworld map, atlas, Mercator, mapmaker, compass rose
- Australian Mapscolonial maps, survey maps, regional maps, antique maps, district maps
- geographic artlandscape art, landscapes, landscape painting, seascapes, cityscapes
- Lebanon geographyBeirut, Tripoli, Tyre, Mount Lebanon, Cedars
topographysky
Visible overhead expanse
atmosphere · airspace · heavens · bathymetry · ocean depths
topographypolitical boundaries
Jurisdictional dividing lines
political geography · borders · demography · human geography · demographics
- topographic mapsElevation-depicting terrain representations
- topographical mapsCharts showing terrain elevation
- local topographyNearby surface features
topographic, topographical, topographer, topographically, topographers, topographies, topographic map