Map Skills Flashcards
A model of Earth
Globe
Half of a sphere. Earth’s hemispheres are formed by the equator and prime meridian.
Hemisphere
The starting point for measuring longitude.
Prime meridian
An imaginary line that circles the globe halfway between the North and South Poles.
Equator
A symbol on a map that shows directions.
Compass rose
One of the four main compass points- north, south, east, and west.
Cardinal directions
A direction that is between two cardinal directions- northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest.
Intermediate direction
A line drawn on a map that shows the relationship between a unit of measurement on a map and the real distance on Earth.
Map scale
A map that shows information such as borders, capitals, and important cities.
Political map
A thing that stands for or represents something else.
Symbol
A map legend; the boxed list showing what the symbols on a map represent.
Map key
A map that shows geographic features of a place, such as mountains, valleys, and bodies of water.
Physical map
A collection or books of maps.
Atlas
The distance above or below sea level.
Elevation
A system of lines that cross each other to form a pattern of squares. On a map, grids are used to locate places.
Grid
A unit of measure. There are 360 degrees of latitude and longitude used to locate places on Earth.
Degrees
Lines that measure the distances east and west of the prime meridian.
Longitude
Line that measure the distances north and south of the equator.
Latitude
Name the two hemispheres that North America is located in.
Western Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere.
How are political physical maps similar? How are the different?
Similar: Both are maps that show some of the same features, such as borders, land, and water. Different: Political maps highlight political boundaries of countries, states, or nations and also show cities and state capitals. Physical maps highlight specific kinds of landforms and bodies of water.
