[Freegis-list] terrain database, how?

[yxu]

Hello guys,

I am working on a terrain visualization software that is capable of
visualizing huge areas. But I have no idea on how to organize the
data. Should I organize the data in conventional way: that is to break
up the whole area into lots of small files,  or to use database
software such as mysql?  I am very impressed with the "Seamless data
distributed system" of USGS. Does anyone here know how they organize
the data (DEM, land use, etc.)?

Thanks in advanced

yxu