| vocabulary word |
definition |
example |
| absolute location |
the exact location of a place expressed by longitude and latitude or street address |
The students were asked to use the map and give the absolute location of the capital city. |
| global grid |
a set of squares formed by crisscrossing lines that can help you determine the absolute location of a place on a globe. |
The students used the global grid to find the absolute location of the city of Tokyo, Japan. |
| latitude |
an imaginary line, or parallel, measuring distance north or south or the equator |
A location with a latitude having a lower number is closer to the equator than one with a higher number. |
| longitude |
an imaginary line, or meridian, measuring the distance east or west of the prime meridian |
The longitude of a city in California will be higher than that of one in Virginia because it is farther from the prime meridian. |
| meridian |
a line of longitude east or west of Earth's prime meridian |
All meridians that run through the United States are labeled W for west. |
| parallel |
a line of latitude |
All parallels that run through the United States are labeled N for north. |
| prime meridian |
The line of longitude labeled 0 degrees longitude |
Lines of longitude are measured from the prime meridian. |
| relative location |
where a place is in relation to another |
The relative location of Canada is north of the United States. |
500 Words
