Term | Definition |
Latitude | imaginary lines that circle the earth parallel to the Equator and measures the distance north and south of the Equator in degrees |
Hemisphere | half of a sphere |
Cardinal Directions | directions on a compass rose showing north, south, east, and west |
Prime Meridian | imaginary line of 0% longitude that circles the earth and splits the earth into the Western and Eastern Hemispheres |
Key | explains the lines, symbols, and colors on a map |
Scale | a measuring line which helps you figure distance on a map |
Plain | area of level land, usually at a low elevation and often covered with grass |
Equator | imaginary line of 0% latitude that circles the middle of the earth and splits the earth into the Northern and Southern Hemisphere |
Globe | a round scale model of the Earth |
Longitude | imaginary line that circles the earth from pole to pole and measures distance east and west from the Prime Meridian |
Intermediate Directions | directions on a compass rose showing northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest |
Physical Map | a map that shows land forms and water features |
Political Map | a map that shows the names and boundaries of countries |
Historical Map | a map that shows a region from a historical time in history, or shows information about a historical event |
Basin | area of land drained by a given river and its branches are surrounded by lands of higher elevation |
Isthmus | narrow stretch of land connecting two large land areas |
Glacier | large, thick body of slow moving ice |
Delta | flat, low-lying land built up from soil carried downstream by a river and deposited at its mouth |
Bay | part of a large body of water that extends into a shoreline, generally smaller than a gulf |
Mountain | land with steep sides that rises sharply from surrounding land |
Plateau | area of flat or rolling land at high elevation |
Gulf | part of a large body of water that extends into a shoreline, generally larger and deeper than a bay |
Sea | large body of water completely or partly surrounded by land |
Island | land area, smaller than a continent, completely surrounded by water |
Strait | narrow stretch of water joining two larger bodies of water |
Volcano | mountain created as liquid rock or ash erupts from inside the earth |
Peninsula | body of land jutting into a lake or ocean, surrounded on three sides by water |
Tributary | small river or stream that flows into a larger river or stream |
Natural Vegetation | characteristic of a plant occurring naturally within a region |
Thematic Map | maps that show special topics in detail |
Archipelago | Group of Islands |