How are U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps named?

A USGS topographic map is usually named for the most prominent feature within the bounds of the map, frequently a community. Most topographic maps are named for the most centrally located, well-known, and/or largest community labeled on the map. 

If the community for which the map should be named falls on two or more maps, a directional term might be used such as East and West. An example is Washington East, D.C. and Washington West, D.C. 

If the map contains no communities or covers a very rural area, it can be named for the most prominent and centrally located physical or natural feature within the bounds of the map. 

Naming maps for linear features such as streams is generally avoided because such features usually pass through several maps or meander on and off the maps. Occasionally, a map area is so devoid of named topography that a directional might be used, as in adding NW or SE to the name of an adjacent map, or even using the map name from a smaller scale series and applying the directional term. 

A map's primary State is the one that contains the named feature, which is not necessarily the State that has most of the map area. The primary State is almost always included in the map title. Secondary states are often, but not always, also included in the title. If multiple states are present in the title, the primary state is listed first. 

Learn more:

• Maps for America
• Topographic Maps