PhotoMap

TopoPhoto, a new type of map from MyTopo.com, blends the twisting lines of contour and iconography of a United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographical map with a high-resolution aerial photograph.

This hybrid feat of cartography, announced by MyTopo.com earlier this year, is possible now because of new government-issue color aerial photographs taken between 2003 and 2006.

On top of the picture MyTopo.com overlays lines of contour, elevation markings, place names, municipal boundaries, and, if desired, latitude/longitude or UTM tic marks and grids for navigation.

Here’s a sample PhotoTopo map:

As with all MyTopo.com products, the maps are customizable on the web site, where users pick a location, the map’s size and scale, paper type, and other details.

Pricing starts at $24.95 for an 18×24-inch PhotoTopo map, ranging up to as much as $71.95 for a laminated 36×48-inch beauty.

MyTopo.com sells PhotoTopo maps for most of the United States. See the diagram below for available regions.