What describes the horizontal and vertical features of a land parcel?

The term that describes the horizontal and vertical features of a land parcel is "Topography." Topography refers to the arrangement of natural and artificial physical features of an area, including the elevation, slope, and the contours of the land, which all contribute to its three-dimensional characteristics.

Understanding topography is crucial in architecture and land development because it affects drainage, accessibility, the potential for landscaping, and the overall usability of a site. Topographic data and contours are essential during the design process, as they inform decisions about the placement and orientation of buildings, infrastructure, and landscaping in relation to the existing landscape.

Other terms, while relevant to site analysis, do not convey the comprehensive understanding of the land's features in both dimensional aspects like topography does. For instance, a parcel description might deal more with legal boundaries and size rather than the physical characteristics of the land. A topographical diagram represents the topography visually but is not the broad term for the features themselves. Meanwhile, a site features overview may describe specific elements of a site but does not inherently address the vertical and horizontal dimensions in detail as topography does.