The topography of Charlottesville is defined by the undulating terrain typical of the Virginia Piedmont. The city rests at an average elevation of about 594 feet (181 meters) above sea level, with elevations varying significantly across its 10.24 square miles.
To the immediate west of the city, the terrain rises steadily toward the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Prominent local high points include Observatory Hill (often called O-Hill by locals), which houses the McCormick Observatory, and the nearby Carter Mountain, which overlooks the city from the south. The lowest elevations are found along the floodplains of the Rivanna River on the eastern edge of the city. This varied topography gives Charlottesville its picturesque, terraced neighborhoods and dramatic sightlines.