Geography Vocabulary

Maps

Globes

Possible vocabulary to review besides the maps and globes
vocabulary - intention of the scavenger hunt

● three-dimensional
● elevated
● surrounding
● features
● representation
● landform

Hannah Stuart 2023

geography

the study of the earth
and the way people

use it

map

flat representation of

the Earth

sphere

an object in

three-dimensional
space that is the

surface of a ball; the

globe is a sphere

continent

is a large solid area of

land (7 continents);
Asia, Africa, Europe,
North America, South

America, Australia,

Antarctica

hemisphere

half the Earth

equator

imaginary line that
divides the Earth
between Northern
Hemisphere and

Southern Hemisphere

Prime Meridian

an imaginary line that divides

the Earth into the Eastern

Hemisphere and the Western

Hemisphere.

lines of latitude

Imaginary lines that run east to
west (horizontal) from 0° at the

Equator to 90° (North or South) at

the poles.

lines of longitude

imaginary lines that run
vertically (up and down)
and meet at the North and

South Poles.

lines of latitude and lines

of longitude

Latitude lines and

longitude lines are used to

specify the precise

location of features on the

surface of the Earth.

grid

a network of evenly

spaced horizontal and
vertical lines used to
identify locations on a

map

country

a nation with its own

government, occupying a
particular territory divided

by borders (imaginary

lines to separate sections

of land on Earth)

Types of

maps

Physical

maps

designed to show the

natural landscape

features of Earth (use
color to show features)

relief
maps

3 dimensional map that
shows varying elevations

compass

rose

An image showing the

main directions printed on

a map or chart

map key or

legend

uses symbols or colors to
represent things on a map

scale

shows a representation of

distances on a map

landforms

Land and how it has

been formed over time

Ice age

a long period of time with very
cold temperatures on the Earth's

surface, resulting in large ice

sheets and glaciers

hills

a naturally raised area of

land, not as high as a

mountain

mountains

a large landform that rises above

the surrounding land, often in

peaks; steeper than a hill

plains

a large area of flat land

with few trees

plateau

a flat, elevated

landform that rises
sharply above the
surrounding area

valley

a low area of land between

hills or mountains,

typically with a river or

stream flowing through it

gorge

a narrow valley between

hills or mountains,

typically with steep rocky
walls and a stream running

through it.

region

an area with features
that make it different

from other areas

United States
● five regions: the Northeast,

Southwest, West, Southeast,
and Midwest

tributary

a stream or a river that
flows into a larger river

estuary

an arm of the sea

(While the waters of the Hudson flow south, water
from the ocean flows north into the river. This is
why some Native Americans called the Hudson,

“the water that flows two ways.”

human features

city

something built by

humans

culture

a group of people’s

way of life

(customs, government, clothing, language,

religion, and traditions; e.g.a group in a farming

community has a different culture than those living

in a city)