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Maps and Climate
World Geography 2a
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Climate | Temperature and precipitation over a long period of time |
Weather | Temperature and precipitation at a single time |
Latitude | Lines on the globe used for measuring distance east or west of the Prime Meridian |
Longitude | Lines on the globe used for measuring distance north or south of the Equator |
Equator | A line running around the middle of the globe |
Prime Meridian | A line running from North pole to South pole. Used as a division between Eastern and Western Hemispheres |
Absolute Location | A description of where something is using the intersection of latitude and longitude lines |
Relative Location | A description of where something is using other locations as reference points. |
Scale | Tells the reader of a map the ratio of distance on the map to actual distance on the globe |
Compass Rose | Tells which way is North, South, East, and West on a map |
Map Projection | How map makers get a spherical Earth transferred to a flat piece of paper. Causes map distortion. |
Mercator Map | One type of map projection. Good for navigating across oceans. Low distortion near equator. High distortion near poles. |
Robinson Map | One type of map projection. Good for thematic maps. Less distortion than Mercator. |
Polar Map | One type of map projection. Puts a pole at the center of the map. Good for navigating in planes. |
Physical Map | A type of map that shows the features of the land such as rivers, lakes, forests, deserts, elevation, etc. |
Thematic Map | A type of map that shows data such as average rain fall, population density, climates, etc |
Political Map | A type of map that shows government borders |
Mental Map | A type of map that exists in a persons mind to help them navigate their surroundings. |
Low latitudes | The area just north and south of the equator. Generally has the warmest climates. |
Middle latitudes | The area north and south of the Low latitudes. Generally has climates that experience all 4 seasons. |
High latitudes | The area north and south of the Middle latitudes. Generally has the coldest climates. |
Rain Forest | A vegetation region found in the Low Latitudes. Lots of precipitation, high temperatures, thick vegetation |
Savanna | A vegetation region found mostly in the Low Latitudes. Short rainy season, high temperatures, mostly grass |
Desert | A vegetation region found in the Low and Middle Latitudes. Very little precipitation, high temperatures, little vegetation |
Steppe | A vegetation region found in the Middle Latitudes. Low precipitation. Temperate climate (4 seasons). Mostly grass |
Middle Latitude Forest | A vegetation region found in the Middle Latitudes. Moderate precipitation, temperate climate, a variety of big trees |
Taiga | A vegetation region found in the High Latitudes. Moderate precipitation, cold temperatures, forests with only evergreen trees |
Tundra | A vegetation region found in the High Latitudes. Low precipitation. Cold temperatures, little vegetation |
Monsoons | A seasonal rain pattern found in Southeast Asia. Brings heavy and frequent rains for part of the year. |
Hurricane | A severe tropical storm. Occurs in the Atlantic Ocean |
Typhoon | A severe tropical storm. Occurs in Pacific and Indian Oceans |
Tornado | A quickly rotating column of air. Occurs mostly in central U.S. |