Map Vocabulary

axis- the imaginary line that the earth rotates on

cardinal directions- North, South, East, West

compass- arrows on a map that point to the cardinal directions

continents- the seven large masses of land on earth

equator- lines of latitude start here-0^o latitude.

elevation- how high or low the land is, starting at sea level

globe- model of the earth

grid- lines on a map that go North to South and East to West; lines form squares on a map

hemisphere- half of a globe. The equator divides the world into the northern and southern hemispheres. The prime meridian and the International Date Line divide the world into the eastern and western hemispheres.

lines of latitude- lines that go across the globe; also called parallels

longitude- lines that go up and down on a globe; also called meridians

natural boundary- rivers, lakes, oceans, mountains, forests

prime meridian- line of longitude-0^o -prime means first; runs through Greenwich, England

physical map- shows the shape of the land; landforms

political boundary- a line that divides one nation from another

political map- shows boundaries between countries

scale- shows the measurement of distance on a map
 

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