The geographical characteristic depicting vertical height above a standard reference point, usually sea level, is critical to understanding Asheville, North Carolina’s unique environment. Visual representations of this data, utilizing color-coding or contour lines, provide detailed information about the terrain’s undulations and steepness. For example, such a visual aid would illustrate the marked difference in altitude between the French Broad River valley and the peaks of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
Understanding the variation in vertical height offers numerous practical advantages. It is fundamental for urban planning, influencing decisions regarding infrastructure development, accessibility, and hazard mitigation related to landslides or flooding. Furthermore, such data informs ecological studies, as altitude strongly correlates with climate and vegetation zones, contributing to the region’s biodiversity. Historically, knowledge of terrain elevation has impacted settlement patterns and agricultural practices.
