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Thematic Map of Iowa

Keywords

cartography, map

Date

May 2024

Location

Iowa

The goal of this project was to highlight the subtle changes in elevation across the state of Iowa while utilizing multidirectional hillshade (along with other layer-blending tips from John Nelson).

This project involved downloading 1-meter resolution elevation data from the USGS along with administrative boundaries of states and counties (TIGER line shapefiles from Census.gov). Initially, I was going to symbolize waterways, populated areas, and major highways, but decided against it once I decided to focus on the topography.

Aside from the valleys carved by rivers across thousands of years, one of my favorite parts of this map is how visible the Des Moines Lobe is - the flat area in north-central Iowa that looks like someone slowly dragged their finger across the map.

A zoomed-in portion of the original elevation map focused on an area of northeast Iowa. A river leads into the Mississippi River basin, cutting into areas of relatively high elevation.

A zoomed-in portion of the original elevation map focused on an area of central eastern Iowa. A river meanders through the center of the map, surrounded by hills.

A zoomed-in portion of the original elevation map focused on an area of central Iowa. A river cuts through the center of the map, following southward. the surrounding area is of high elevation, but is relatively flat.

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