Term | Definition |
hemisphere | half a sphere; divides the world into 4 spheres: northern, southern, eastern, western |
continent | large body of land, there are 7 continents: Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, Antarctica |
country | has it's own government and definite boundaries, usually a single language and common customs |
longtitude | imaginary vertical lines measuring the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian |
latitude | an imaginary horizontal line measuring the distance north or south of the Equator |
Prime Meridian | longitude line at zero degrees, divides the eastern and western hemispheres |
Equator | latitude line at zero degrees, divides the northern and southern hemispheres |
cardinal directions | north, south, east, west |
intermediate directions | northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest |
compass rose | picture illustrating cardinal and intermediate directions |
key | explains what symbols on a map stand for |
scale | explains the relationship between distance on earth and the distance on the map |
legend | same as a key- explains what symbols on a map stand for |
political map | shows the boundaries between states and countries |
physical map | highlights natural features of a landmass ex: trees, grass, shrubs |
relief map | a physical map that uses shading to show different areas of the land: mountains, valleys, plains |
historial map | shows where events took place in the past |
elevation map | physical map that uses color to show how high or low a landmass is |
globe | a 3-dimensional map shaded as a sphere |
road map | shows streets and highways |
population density | number of people living in an area |
land forms | shapes on earth's surface- mountains, hills |
mountains | large raised land, higher than the surrounding areas |
island | land completely surrounded by water |
peninsula | area of land almost completely surrounded by water on 3 sides |
lake | large body of water surrounded by land |
source of a river | where a river starts |
mouth of a river | place where a river flows into another body of water |
natural resource | materials found in nature that meet the needs and wants of people |
conversation | careful use and protection of natural resources |
non-renewable resources | resources that can't be replaced ex: coal, oil, natural gas used to heat homes can not be used more than once |
renewable resources | resourced that can be replaces ex: forests can grow and grow, new trees are planted |
mineral | a substance found in the earth that is neither a plant or an animal ex: iron, copper |
fossil fuel | fuels formed over millions of years ago from fossils (remains of dead plants/animals) |
environment | all the surroundings in which people, animals and plants live |
pollution | something (such as harmful chemicals) that makes our air, soil and water dirty |
recycle | use something again - a way of conservation |
tundra | area of grass, moss, plants and few trees - high latitude locations |