U.S. Physical Geography Map Skills & Landforms

Grids, Latitude and Longitude

*The pattern of lines that circle the Earth in west-east and north- south directions is called a grid.

Lines of latitude are drawn in an east-west direction and measure distance north and south of the equator. Lines of latitude are called parallels because they are always parallel to the equator. Parallels north of the equator to 90 degrees are labeled with an N, and those south to 90 degrees are labeled with an S. Lines of longitude are drawn in a north-south direction and measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian—in Greenwich, England. Lines of longitude are called meridians. Meridians west of the Prime Meridian to 180 degrees are labeled with a W. Those east of the Prime Meridian to 180 degrees are labeled with an E.

Greenwich, England has been the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) since GMT is sometimes called Greenwich Meridian Time because it is measured from the Greenwich Meridian Line at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. It is the place from where all time zones are measured.

*The Prime Meridian--which goes through Greenwich, England--divides the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Zero degree latitude is the Equator. Zero degree longitude is the Prime Meridian.

*The Equator divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Distance Scales Helps determine real distances between points Distances vary greatly depending upon scope of map Usually measure in miles, kilometers or both The larger the scale, the more detail the map shows

Maps in a textbook indicate direction by using a compass rose. A compass rose has arrows that point to all four principal directions. Compass Rose

*The legend, or key, explains what the symbols on a map represent-- such as roads and resources. Some legends show different colors that represent certain elevations.

Landforms

Glacier – Slow-moving mass of ice Volcano – An opening in the earth’s crust through which lava, ash, and gases are ejected Lake – Large body of water surrounded by land Plateau – Elevated flat land Canyon – Narrow deep valley with steep sides Mountain – Large elevation of the earth’s surface with steep sides that rises to a great height Basin – Hollow or depression in Earth’s surface with no outlet for water Desert – Dry, often sandy region of little rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation River – Large natural stream of water flowing into an ocean, sea, or lake Delta - Low, watery land built up from soil carried downstream by a river and deposited at its mouth. Peninsula – Piece of land jutting out into the water Archipelago – Group of islands Inlet – Narrow bay leading inland, found along a coast Strait – Narrow passage of water connecting two large areas of water Island – Piece of land surrounded by water

Altitude & Elevation