What is a hillshade map?

A hillshade map is specifically designed to visualize the three-dimensional terrain of a landscape by incorporating the effects of sunlight. It accomplishes this by simulating sunlight's interaction with the terrain surface, which provides a shaded relief effect. The appearance of light and shadow on the hills and valleys of the terrain enhances the understanding of the elevation and the terrain's features.

The process involves calculations based on the terrain's slope and aspect, along with the position of the sun (including its angle and azimuth) at a specific time. This technique helps in visualizing how light would cast shadows on the landscape, indicating which areas are elevated and which are lower. It is particularly useful in fields such as cartography, landscape design, and geography, as it helps analysts and viewers comprehensively understand landform characteristics.

While a data layer for elevation analysis refers to raw elevation data, the hillshade map takes that information further by producing a visual product that conveys not just the height, but also how those heights relate to one another in a visually intuitive way. Similarly, while a basic 2D terrain illustration may show elevation in a simplified manner, it lacks the depth and realism that shading adds. Additionally, a representation of water bodies doesn't align with the primary focus of hill