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ELL Earth Sci 3.2&3
Reading Maps
Term | Definition |
---|---|
cartography | the science of making maps |
map projection | a flat piece of paper which represents the 3-dimensional curved surface of a globe |
legend | a list of symbols and their meanings (also called a key) |
scale | a relationship between distance shown on the map and actual distance |
topographical map | map showing surface features of the Earth |
elevation | height above or below average sea level (mean sea level) |
mean sea level | midpoint between the highest and lowest tides of the ocean |
contour line | line on a topographical map connecting points of the map having the same elevation |
contour interval | the difference in elevation between two contour lines |
index contour | a bold contour line printed every 5th line making it easier to view elevation changes on a map |
relief | the distance between the highest and lowest elevations of the area being mapped |
depression contours | contour lines marked with short straight lines to show depression (ie top of volcanos) |