Explorers Vocabulary

The process of planning a route of travel based on one's position or place.

• Compass

• Explorer

• Navigation

• Plot

This instrument allowed explorers to pinpoint the magnetic north. It houses a magnetized metal needle that constantly points north.

• Explorer

• Northwest Passage

• Compass

• Conquistador

When a sailors traveled around the world, they kept _______

of their journeys. These ______________ changed over time as discoveries were made and coastlines better understood.

• Maps

• Graphs

• Charts

• Logbooks

To travel around something.

• Travel

• Hot air ballon

• Circumnavigate

• Charter

A water route through North America that would connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

• Northwest Passage

• Southern Way

• Over the North Pole

• Walking

What is building or a community building; in the name of Spain with the purpose of converting Native Americans to Christianity

• Town hall

• Mission

• Explorer

• Club

This devise is used to measure the angle of the sun and stars to measure distance.

• Astrolabe

• Compass

• Map

• Quadrant

This device was for measuring the angles of the stars and sun, especially the Pole star (Polaris) to locate the north. Since the height of the star could reflect a ship's latitude on Earth.

• Astrolabe

• Map

• Star chart

• Quadrant

A captain keep this to record a ship's journey. It would hold details such as the navigation direction, speed, winds, weather and trade goods.

• Map

• Recording

• Logbook

• Directions

This was an early navigational tool used to measure the altitude of the starts on sea voyages to find latitude.

• Maps

• Astrolabe

• Explorer

• Cross-Staff