Map Skills Vocabulary

Imaginary line that divides the earth into the northern and southern hemispheres

• latitude

• parallel

• meridian

• equator

imaginary line that divides line into eastern and western

• equator

• topographic map

• prime meridian

• compass rose

any half of the earth

• equator

• hemisphere

• prime meridian

• key/legend

lines that run east and west and measure distance north or south of the equator

• scale

• latitude

• longitude

• globe

lines that run north to south and measure distance east to west of the prime meridian

• longitude

• latitude

• road map

• cardinal directions

another name for a line of longitude

• meridians

• intermediate directions

• latitude

• scale

another name for a line of latitude

• meridian

• parallel

• longitude

• physical map

a map that shows countries , cities, or states

• topographic map

• globe

• key/legend

• political map

an illustration that explains what the symbols or colors represent on a map

• globe

• parallel

• key/legend

• compass rose

a map showing elevation using contour lines

• topographic map

• globe

• hemisphere

• population map