Understanding Maps Vocab

Question 1

Cartography

Answer 1

the science of mapmaking

Question 2

Equator

Answer 2

horizontally circle Earth halfway between North and South poles

Question 3

Latitude

Answer 3

Lines on a map running parallel to the equator

Question 4

Longitude

Answer 4

the distance in degrees east or west of the prime meridian

Question 5

Prime Meridian

Answer 5

0 degrees longitude

Question 6

International Date Line

Answer 6

The 180 meridian, which serves as the transition line for calendar days.

Question 7

Mercator Projection

Answer 7

a map that has parallel lines of latitude and longitude

Question 8

conic projection

Answer 8

map made by projecting points and lines from a globe onto a cone

Question 9

gnomonic projection

Answer 9

made by projecting points and lines from a globe onto a piece of paper that touches the globe at a single point

Question 10

Topographic maps

Answer 10

maps that show changes in elevation of Earth’s surface

Question 11

Contour line

Answer 11

connects points of equal elevation

Question 12

contour interval

Answer 12

the difference in elevation between two side-by-side contour lines

Question 13

geologic map

Answer 13

A map showing the distribution, arrangement and types of rocks below the soil and other geologic features.

Question 14

map legend

Answer 14

Explains the meaning of symbols used on a map.

Question 15

map scale

Answer 15

shows the ratio between distances on a map and distances on the earth