Part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the USGS began in 1879 to study the nation’s lands and resources. Today, we monitor, analyze, and predict Earth’s changing systems. Our science provides clear, reliable data that protects lives and property, supports energy and mineral decisions, strengthens water infrastructure, and promotes economic growth.

The USGS has over a century of experience producing maps and related information providing critical data for sustaining and improving quality of life and economic vitality of the nation. We organize, maintain, and publish the foundational data of the nation's topography, natural landscape, developed areas, and more.

We provide scientific information and near real-time data on current conditions that helps communities prepare for natural hazards, manage water supplies, earth observations, and guide energy and mineral development.

The USGS leads national efforts to map mineral resources and analyze the supply chains needed to drive the U.S. economy including analyzing global supply chain risks and mineral needs for domestic industry, defense, and future production capacity. We partner with state geological surveys, private industry, universities and federal agencies in efforts to identify new mineral resources below ground and in old mine tailings and energy wastes.

America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes are a suite of annual and lifetime passes providing access to federal recreation lands.