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Map Vocabulary
Basic map and location vocabulary including types of maps, latitude & longitude
Term | Definition |
---|---|
cartographer | a person who makes maps |
scale | used to measure DISTANCE on a map |
key / legend | explains what each symbol on a map represents |
relative location | used to explain where something is in relation to another place |
absolute location | explains where something is using exact coordinates on a map |
physical map | a map that shows geographic features such as mountains, rivers and plains |
political map | a map that shows boundaries of countries and capitals |
climate map | a map that shows weather patterns in different areas of the world |
compass rose | shows the cardinal directions (north, south, east and west) |
product map | shows resources and supplies made in a particular area |
population density map | shows how many people live in a certain area relative to the amount of space they occupy |
latitude lines | horizontal lines on a map that measure north and south but run east to west |
longitude lines | vertical lines on a map that measure east and west but run north and south |
equator | 0 degree latitude line |
Prime Meridian | 0 degree longitude line |
International Date Line | 180 degree longitude line that determines the beginning of a new day |
parallels | latitude lines that will never meet |
meridians | longitude lines that meet at curve and meet at the poles |
Tropic of Cancer | 23.5 degree N latitude line that marks the beginning of the warm climate region |
Tropic of Capricorn | 23.5 degree S latitude line that marks the bottom of the warm climate region |
Arctic Circle | 66.5 degree N latitude line that marks the cold climate region in the northern hemisphere |
Antarctic Circle | 66.5 degree S latitude line that marks the cold climate region in the southern hemisphere |