Geography Key Terms

atlas Definition in your own words A book containing maps and charts. 7-up sentence

A compass is a device that always points North A compass is a device that always points North. It is used for navigation. Definition in your own words compass 7-up sentence

compass rose Definition in your own words 7-up sentence A compass rose is a design on a map that shows direction. It points which way is North, South, East, West, and some intermediate directions on the map. Definition in your own words compass rose 7-up sentence

continent Definition in your own words 7-up sentence The land mass on Earth is divided into continents. The seven current continents are Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Definition in your own words continent 7-up sentence

Equator Definition in your own words 7-up sentence The equator is an imaginary circle around the earth, halfway between the north and south poles. Definition in your own words Equator 7-up sentence

The study of the earth and the way people live on it and use it. Definition in your own words geography 7-up sentence

GPS Definition in your own words 7-up sentence GPS is short for global positioning system. GPS devices tell you your exact longitude and latitude (it gets the information from orbiting satellites). Definition in your own words GPS 7-up sentence

key/legend Definition in your own words 7-up sentence The key of a map (also called the legend) is a small table accompanying the map that explains the symbols that are used on the map. Definition in your own words key/legend 7-up sentence

latitude Definition in your own words 7-up sentence Latitude is the distance north or south from the equator to a particular location. The equator has a latitude of zero degrees. The North Pole has a latitude of 90 degrees North; the South Pole has a latitude of 90 degrees South. Definition in your own words latitude 7-up sentence

longitude Definition in your own words 7-up sentence Longitude is the distance east or west from the north-south line that passes through Greenwich, England, to a particular location. Greenwich, England has a longitude of zero degrees. Definition in your own words longitude 7-up sentence

map A map is a graphical representation of a place. Definition in your own words map 7-up sentence

map scale Definition in your own words 7-up sentence The scale of a map is the ratio between the distance between two points found on the map as compared to the actual distance between these points in the real world. Definition in your own words map scale 7-up sentence

Definition in your own words The prime meridian (0 degrees longitude) is the meridian that passes through Greenwich, England. Definition in your own words Prime Meridian 7-up sentence

relief map Definition in your own words 7-up sentence A relief map is a topographic map that uses different colors or shades to indicate elevations. Definition in your own words relief map 7-up sentence

Definition in your own words A physical map is a map that shows an area’s natural physical features, like mountains, lakes, and rivers. Definition in your own words physical map 7-up sentence

Definition in your own words A political map is a map that shows cultural features, like the political boundaries of countries, states, provinces, and cities. Definition in your own words political map 7-up sentence