Traditionally said to be built on "seven hills" (much like Rome), Richmond's topography is characterized by rolling terrain that descends sharply toward the James River basin. The highest points in the city reach just over 300 feet (91 meters) above sea level in the western and northern neighborhoods, while the lowest points sit near sea level in the tidal stretches of the James River on the eastern edge of the city.
The abrupt topographical changes at the fall line create the river's rapids. Shockoe Bottom, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, sits in a natural valley and historically served as a flood plain before modern flood walls were constructed in the 1990s. The city is interspersed with steep ravines, bluffs overlooking the river (such as Libby Hill and Church Hill), and terraced plateaus that accommodate much of the residential grid.