Database of Geographic Information: Topographic Map of Central Arizona

This dataset has been created to meet the needs of the research community of Arizona State University. Apart from purely vizualization purposes (i.e. displaying the data on various maps) it can potentially be used for spatial modeling. The data consist of engineering-quality contours, also known as isolines, created from the NED 10-meter Digital Elevation Model subset to the extent somewhat exceeding Cetral Arizona - Phoenix LTER. Contours ( lines connecting points of equal height above sea level) are drawn at 15 meter intervals with the base set at 145 m of elevation. Contours are an exact interpretation of the grid surface model and may sometimes appear blocky looking, may cross, appear to intersect, or form an unclosed branching line. All these are valid engineering-quality interpretations of the elevation surface that cartographers typically modify (smooth) for aesthetic purposes.