On this page you can find resources for learning about and exploring Philadelphia’s topography, climate, and more.
- Topography and ecology
- Find stuff in Philly
- Sociological and historical maps
Topography and ecology
Find your watershed
Enter your address to learn what watershed in Philadelphia you live in.
Philadelphia topographic map
Philadelphia, located at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, features a diverse topography characterized by its gentle slopes and valleys. The city lies on the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line, transitioning from the flat Coastal Plain to the more rugged Piedmont region. This unique geographical positioning results in a landscape that includes expansive tidal areas and rolling hills, with elevations generally ranging from sea level along the rivers to around 446 feet in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood. The Schuylkill River has carved a steep valley as it flows through the Piedmont, contrasting with the relatively flat terrain of southern New Jersey. This gradual change in elevation and the presence of numerous creeks and parks, such as Fairmount Park, further enhance Philadelphia’s natural beauty and accessibility. The interplay between water and landforms has not only shaped the physical landscape but also played a crucial role in the city’s historical development.
Plant Community Classification
Plant communities are groups of plants sharing a common environment that interact with each other, animal populations, and the physical environment. The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program’ plant community classification system includes information on over 100 natural plant communities found in Pennsylvania. Community descriptions include plant species and their associated soil types, geology, related plant communities, and range.
Philadelphia’s Native Plants
This site provides one possible response (to “what is native to PA?”) by transcribing and updating the work of Philadelphia botanist William P. C. Barton, who documented the plants that were present in Philadelphia and the surrounding area in 1818, the oldest record we have, and one that predates much of the region’s urbanization.
Find stuff in Philly
Resource Philly
Find where to donate, repair or recycle your stuff or where to buy, rent or borrow secondhand, bulk, recycled or sustainable items in the Philadelphia region.
Falling Fruit
A global, collaborative map of free food sources including plants, fungi, water wells, and dumpsters.
Sociological and historical maps
Open Data Philly
OpenDataPhilly is a catalog of open data in the Philadelphia region, including environmental data but also arts and culture, public health, and other categories. Some data sets may require specialized software to view.
Greater Philadelphia Geohistory Project
Explore historical maps of Philadelphia layered over a contemporary Google map to see how the city has changed over time.
PASDA: Open GIS Data Access for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
PASDA provides free public access to geospatial data and information by, for, and about the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Most data files require ArcGIS or another mapping software to view.
Petrodelphia: America’s First Petrochemical Corridor
A rich collection of resources about the south Philadelphia refinery complex, including interactive maps showing where and when petrochemical accidents occurred in the region, archival photographs, and numerous documents relating to the industry and its impact on the environment.
StoryMaps
ArcGIS StoryMaps is a platform that allows you to combine narrative and media for an interactive map experience.
The Evolution of Morris Park: From farm to industry to recreation in West Philadelphia
by Philadelphia Water Department.
FDR Park Digital Guide: Discover the Lakes in South Philly
by Fairmount Park Conservancy
Ebb || Flow: Join me for a walk along the interim Delaware River Trail
by Sara Davis