{"id":19256,"date":"2019-07-15T07:00:06","date_gmt":"2019-07-15T12:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/?p=19256"},"modified":"2025-05-28T13:59:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T18:59:54","slug":"what-is-topography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/what-is-topography\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Topography? The Definitive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-image19256_bc7ccd-65 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image19256_bc7ccd-65 size-medium_large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"372\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography-768x372.png\" alt=\"What is Topography\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-61245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography-768x372.png 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography-300x145.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography-678x329.png 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography-50x24.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography-200x97.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography-425x206.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography-550x267.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography-115x56.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography-360x174.png 360w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/What-is-Topography.png 850w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column19256_2cba79-b213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column19256_2cba79-b213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kadence-column19256_2cba79-b213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-right:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px 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.kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-right:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-left:1px solid #d3d3d3;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column19256_2cba79-b213 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-right:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-left:1px solid #d3d3d3;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column19256_2cba79-b213\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811\"]{padding-bottom:0px;margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-size:16px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19256_d3d96e-9811\"><strong>DEFINITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812\"]{font-size:16px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading19256_426a18-c812\">Topography shows <strong>how the land looks<\/strong>. A topographic map displays whether it&#8217;s flat, hilly, mountainous, or has valleys, rivers, and other natural or man-made features.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Topography?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Today you&#8217;re going to learn everything about topography like some of the great <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/download-usgs-topo-maps-free\/\">USGS topo maps you can download<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, you&#8217;ll find out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What is topography?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who uses topographic maps?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are topographic surveys?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And much more. Let&#8217;s dive right in.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Definition of Topography<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Topography is the <strong>study of the land surface<\/strong>. In particular, it lays the underlying foundation of a landscape. For example, topography refers to mountains, valleys, rivers, or craters on the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"437\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Topography-Examples.jpg\" alt=\"Topography Examples\" class=\"wp-image-97274\" style=\"width:550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Topography-Examples.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Topography-Examples-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Topography-Examples-678x370.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Topography-Examples-768x420.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The origin of topography comes from &#8220;topo&#8221; for &#8220;place&#8221; and &#8220;graphia&#8221; for &#8220;writing&#8221;. It\u2019s closely related to <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/geodesy\/\">geodesy and surveying<\/a> which are concerned with accurately measuring the land surface. And it\u2019s also closely tied to geography and <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/what-gis-geographic-information-systems\/\">mapping systems like GIS<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Elevation is the distinguishing factor for topographic maps. In GIS, we use digital elevation models for the terrain. Nine out of ten <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/contour-lines-topographic-map\/\">topographic maps show contour lines<\/a>, which are just lines of equal elevation. The narrow definition of topography is specific to the arrangement of landforms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But in a broader sense, it incorporates <strong>natural and artificial features<\/strong>. For example, topographic maps often tie in administrative boundaries, cities, hydrography, parks, landmarks, transportation, and buildings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/free-global-dem-data-sources\/\">5 Free Global DEM Data Sources \u2013 Digital Elevation Models<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relief and Contours<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"425\" height=\"282\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-425x282.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Fuji Contours\" class=\"wp-image-19315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-425x282.jpg 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-678x450.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-50x33.jpg 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-550x365.jpg 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-115x76.jpg 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours.jpg 795w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Contour lines (isolines) connect points of equal elevation. By reading contours, we interpret height, slope, and shape in topographic maps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If contours are close together, the slope is <strong>steep<\/strong>. But when contours are spread apart, the slope is more <strong>gradual<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We use contours for mountains, valleys, and bathymetry. For example, Mount Fuji stands at 3,776 meters above sea level. At 250-meter spacing, each contour line represents <strong>equal elevations<\/strong>. Almost at the peak of Mount Fuji, it\u2019s a 3,750-meter contour line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/contour-lines-topographic-map\/\">What Do Contour Lines on a Topographic Map Show?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples of Topography in Maps<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"425\" height=\"301\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Tapestry-of-Time-425x301.png\" alt=\"Tapestry of Time\" class=\"wp-image-19286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Tapestry-of-Time-425x301.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Tapestry-of-Time-300x213.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Tapestry-of-Time-50x35.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Tapestry-of-Time-200x142.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Tapestry-of-Time-550x390.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Tapestry-of-Time-115x81.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Tapestry-of-Time.png 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s no &#8220;world authority&#8221; in topographic mapping. Instead, each country sets its <strong>own standards and priorities<\/strong>. Most often the case, each mapping agency designs its topographic maps with a specific goal in mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, constructing a new highway might drive a topographic map to feature woodland cover, soil types, or rock classification along the route. Over time, topographic map series often get <strong>periodic updates<\/strong>. But the truth is, they can be complex and take years to create. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the United States, the first <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/download-usgs-topo-maps-free\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">USGS topographic map<\/a> was surveyed in 1892. Since then, map revisions have continued for over 125+ years.  The USGS produces topo maps at 1:250,000, 1:100,000, 1:63,360, and 1:24,000. The most common is the 7.5-minute quadrangle series where one inch in the map represents 24,000 inches on the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another example of a topographic map is the <a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/imap\/i2720\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">USGS Tapestry of Time and Terrain<\/a>. This colorful map overlays topography (hillshade) with underlying rock formations. This helps unravel the geologic history of the continent, such as <strong>mountain-building events<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Topography Applications and Uses<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mars-Topography-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Mars Topography\" class=\"wp-image-19541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mars-Topography-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mars-Topography-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mars-Topography-50x50.jpg 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mars-Topography-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mars-Topography-425x425.jpg 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mars-Topography-550x550.jpg 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mars-Topography-115x115.jpg 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mars-Topography.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Topographic maps show <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/flow-direction\/\">how rivers flow<\/a>, how high mountains rise, and how steep valleys descend. They lay out the land as in these examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Engineers use topographic maps to plan a road, construct a cell tower, or plan a hydroelectric dam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Geologists use topography to understand the tectonic activity, landforms, and where to dig a mine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hikers use topographic maps to find trails and the steepness of slopes to plan their ascent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Astronomers study topography outside Earth like on the moon, Mars, or an asteroid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Climate scientists tie topography into climate models to recognize air and water flow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As landscapes evolve and technology advances, topographers face an <strong>uphill battle for accuracy and completeness<\/strong> (pardon the pun).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/gis-applications-uses\/\">1000 GIS Applications &amp; Uses \u2013 How GIS Is Changing the World<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Topography Analysis<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"209\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SAGA-3D-Mapping-Anaglyph-300x209.png\" alt=\"SAGA GIS 3D Mapping Anaglyph\" class=\"wp-image-9011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SAGA-3D-Mapping-Anaglyph-300x209.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SAGA-3D-Mapping-Anaglyph-678x472.png 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SAGA-3D-Mapping-Anaglyph-50x35.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SAGA-3D-Mapping-Anaglyph-200x139.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SAGA-3D-Mapping-Anaglyph-425x296.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SAGA-3D-Mapping-Anaglyph-550x383.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SAGA-3D-Mapping-Anaglyph-115x80.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SAGA-3D-Mapping-Anaglyph-223x155.png 223w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/SAGA-3D-Mapping-Anaglyph.png 680w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you want to perform any type of topographic analysis, we highly recommend <a href=\"http:\/\/www.saga-gis.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SAGA GIS<\/a>. It&#8217;s completely free and open source. Specifically, the Topography Analysis Toolkit is a perfect fit for most types of landscape analysis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s so good that you can&#8217;t find most of these tools in commercial software. In particular, it includes a range of morphometry, hypsometry, and other specialty tools. Tools like ruggedness, slope, aspect, and curvature can really <strong>characterize the terrain<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to classify the types of landforms, SAGA GIS has out-of-the-box tools that do just that. Lastly, we use the topographic position and wetness index to characterize drainage patterns. Here&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/saga-gis-review-guide\/\">our guide to SAGA GIS<\/a> for more tips and tricks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/topographic-profiles\/\">A Topographic Profile of Arizona\u2019s Massive Meteor Crater<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The topography is all about location, location, location. Specifically, it\u2019s how topography relates to <strong>relief<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, you\u2019ve learned that topography is the arrangement of <strong>natural and artificial features<\/strong> in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Engineers, geologists, and even astronomers use these types of maps for reconnaissance, planning, and <strong>characterizing the land<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is there anything else you want to learn about topography? Please let us know with a comment below.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Topography lays the underlying foundation of the Earth&#8217;s surface. In this comprehensive guide, you&#8217;ll learn everything about topography and topographic maps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":19341,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[91],"tags":[418],"class_list":["post-19256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-data-sources","tag-topography"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is Topography? 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