Geography Basics

Front

Physical map

Back

A map that shows mountains, hills, plains, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc.

Front

Political map

Back

A map that shows the names and borders of countries.

Front

Mercator projection

Back

Map projection that shows latitude and longitude as straight lines. Country size is distorted.

Front

Latitude

Back

Distance north or south of the equator. The lines going horizontal across the Earth.

Front

Longitude

Back

Distance east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees. The lines going up and down on a map.

Front

Equator

Back

0 degrees latitude. The line halfway between the North and South pole.

Front

Prime Meridian

Back

0° longitude. The line which passes through the Greenwich, England.

Front

Legend/Key

Back

Explains the symbols used on a map.

Front

Scale

Back

Ratio of a distance on the map to the corresponding distance on the ground.

Front

Compass rose

Back

A tool on a map showing cardinal directions.