topography

The arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area; the detailed mapping or description of a surface's features; figuratively, the detailed structure of something.

• topographic/ˌtɒpəˈɡræfɪk/(adj)地形的
• topographer(n)地形学家

• topography of the region
• topographic map
• rugged topography
• local topography
• topography of the brain

1. 1.The topography of Afghanistan — deep valleys flanked by steep mountains — has made it notoriously difficult for invading armies throughout history. (physical terrain features)
2. 2.Neuroscientists are mapping the topography of the cerebral cortex, charting which regions handle language, vision, and emotion. (detailed structural layout)

• terrain/təˈreɪn/— ground features
• landscape/ˈlændskeɪp/— visible features of land
• relief/rɪˈliːf/— variation in elevation

from Greek "topos" (place) + "graphein" (to write) — writing about a place's features