Geography Vocabulary

Terms in this set (31)

cartographer
a map maker
map projection
a way of drawing the earth on a flat surface
political map
show governmental boundaries of countries, states, and other political divisions
physical map
is a depiction of the geographic features of an area such as mountains
topographic map
is similar to a physical map but also shows elevation using contour lines
climatic map
a depiction of prevailing weather patterns in a given area over time
Mercator Map
a world map projection first created in 1569 that shows all lines of latitude and longitude parallel to each other
Robinson Projection
a world map projection created by Arthur Robinson in 1963 that shows the whole world on a flat surface where the lines of longitude are not parallel
hemisphere
a half of the earth, usually divided into northern or southern halves by the equator,or into western and eastern halves by and imaginary line passing through the poles
Latitude
Distance north or south of the equator
Equator
An imaginary circle around the middle of the earth, halfway between the North Pole and the South Pole
Longitude
Distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees
Meridian
a line of longitude
Prime Meridian
The meridian, designated at 0° longitude, which passes through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, England
map legend
Explains the meaning of symbols used on a map
map scale
is the ratio of the distances on the map
compass rose
a symbol on the map used to display the orientation of the cardinal directions
sextant
a astronomical instrument used to determine latitude
Astrolabe
an instrument formerly used to make astronomical measurements
orient
to align or position a map according to the points of a compass
Elevation
height above sea level
glacier
thick sheet of ice
Geography
the study of people, their environments, and their resources
history
an account of what happened in the development of a people, a nation or a civilization
weather
the condition of the air at any given time and place
climate
The average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time
mountain
high steep rugged land, usually at least 1000 ft. above surrounding land
Tributary
A stream or river that flows into a larger river
plain
a broad area of fairly level land
Isthmus
a narrow strip of land
plateau
a large raised area of flat or gently rolling land
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