geographic vocabulary

What is a book of maps called?

• Atlas

• Political Map

• Latitude

• Longitude

Maps that show boundaries of states and nations, as well cities and towns (man-made).

• Atlas

• Political Maps

• Physical Maps

• Latitiude

Maps that show natural features of the Earth (mountains, rivers, plateaus, lakes).

• Political Maps

• Physical Maps

• Artic Circle

• Tropical Region

Imaginary lines that run horizontally around the world parallel to the equator. (aka parallels).

• Longitude

• Latitude

• Coordinates

• Compass

Imaginary lines that run at right angles to the equator and meet at the poles (aka meridians)

• Latitude

• Longitude

• Degrees

• Compass

The numbers of latitude and longitudes that describe the exact location of a specific place

• Degrees

• Compass

• Coordinates

• Cardinal directions

The unit for measuring angles. Latitude and longitude are measured in degrees. 

• Compass

• Degrees

• Atlas

• Time Zone

An instrument used to find direction. It is drawn on a map for orientation.

• Equator

• Compass

• Time Zone

• Polar Region

The four main directions are north, south, east and west.

• Atlas

• Latitude

• Time Zone

• Cardinal Directions

Directions located between the cardinal directions. The four main intermediate directions are northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest.

• Intermediate Directions

• Equator

• Degrees

• Compass