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Map Skills Terms
Map Skills Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Compass Rose | A circle with points or quarters printed on a map to show direction. North is usually toward the top of the map—but not always! |
| Cardinal Direction | One of the four major points on a compass: North, South, East or West. “Cardinal” means essential or crucial. On a map, north is usually up. |
| Intermediate Direction | The points on the compass between the cardinal directions. Northwest (NW) is halfway between North and West. SW, SE, and NE are intermediate. |
| Legend or Key | An explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart. A little picture of a picnic table indicates a picnic area. Symbols may also indicate size. |
| Scale | Map scale is the relationship between a unit of length on a map and the same length on the ground. One inch on a map might be 100 miles on the land. |
| Latitude | The lines running around a globe like a series of higher and lower belts. On a map, lines of latitude run east-west. The equator is the 0-degree line of latitude. Atlanta is at 33˚N of the equator. One degree of latitude is 70 miles. |
| Equator | The line around the globe at an equal distance from the North and South Poles, like a belt around the middle of the earth. The equator is the 0 degree of latitude. It divides the globe into two hemispheres, northern and southern. |
| Longitude | The lines running around the globe through the north and south poles, as if slicing the globe into apple wedges. The prime meridian is at zero. On a map, lines of longitude run north-south. |
| Prime Meridian | The line of 0 degrees longitude divides the globe vertically into two halves. This system was devised in Greenwich, England in 1884, so 0˚ goes right through Greenwich. “Prime” means first in importance. |
| Political Map | A map that shows the boundaries of countries. It may also show counties, cities and towns, and highways. Political maps show how people divide land. |
| Physical Map | A map that shows landforms and water features. Colors and shadings show mountains or deserts. Physical maps show spaces that exist in nature. |
| Relative Location | A location of place in relation to another place. “Next door” and “southwest of France” are relative locations. Relative location is imprecise and confusing. |
| Absolute Location | The exact position of a place on earth. A street address is an absolute location, or it can be indicated with longitude and latitude. Inman is at 33˚24’37”N, 84˚24’53”W. |
| Hemisphere | a half of the earth, usually as divided into northern and southern halves by the equator, or into western and eastern halves by an imaginary line passing through the poles. |
Created by:
angela.higgs
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