Term | Definition |
Reference Map | Shows the location of the geographic areas for which census data are tabulated and disseminated |
Thematic Map | type of map or chart especially designed to show a particular theme connected with a specific geographic area |
GPS | Global Positioning System, a navigational system of signals from a network of satellites used to accurately determine locations on the earth's surface |
GIS | Geographic Information System, A computer application used to store, view, and analyze geographical information, especially maps |
Distance Scale | a ratio which compares a measurement on a map to the actual distance between locations identified on the map |
Directional Indicator | a compass that assists an airplane pilot in flying a predetermined course by direct reading and comparison of two indicators one of which is set for the desired heading. |
Inset Map | More detailed (larger scale) representation of a specific area on a map usually placed in an uncluttered portion of the same sheet as the smaller scale main map. |
Legend | An explanatory table or list of the symbols appearing on a map or chart |
Latitude (Parallels) | the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator |
Longitude (Meridians) | the angular distance of a place east or west of the meridian at Greenwich, England |
Equator | an imaginary line drawn around the earth equally distant from both poles, dividing the earth into northern and southern hemispheres and constituting the parallel of latitude 0° |
Prime Meridian | a planet's meridian adopted as the zero of longitude. |
Northern Hemisphere | the hemisphere that is to the north of the equator |
Southern Hemisphere | the hemisphere that is to the south of the equator |
Eastern Hemisphere | the half of the Earth that is east of the Prime Meridian and west of 180° longitude. |
Western Hemisphere | the half of the Earth that lies west of the Prime Meridian and east of the Antimeridian |
Continents | any of the world's main continuous expanses of land (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America). |
Map grid | A symbolized network of lines, or graticule, representing parallels and meridians or plane coordinates |