Geography Terms

Also called a legend, tells what each symbol on a map stands for

• key

• scale

• compass rose

• cardinal directions

Type of map that shows landforms such as mountains, plains, and deserts. It also shows bodies of water.

• atlas

• symbol

• physical map

• political map

A map that shows political boundaries for counties, states, or nations. It also shows capital cities.

• atlas

• symbol

• physical map

• political map

A symbol that shows directions.

• key

• scale

• compass rose

• cardinal directions

A small drawing, line, or color that stands for something else.

• physical map

• symbol

• atlas

• intermediate directions

The half circles that divide Earth

• symbols

• keys

• atlas

• hemispheres

A collection or book of maps.

• symbol

• key

• atlas

• hemisphere

The directions: North, East, South, and West.

• cardinal directions

• intermediate directions

• physical map

• political map

The directions: Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest.

• cardinal directions

• intermediate directions

• physical map

• political map

Shows the relationship between distance on a map and distance on Earth

• key

• scale

• compass rose

• cardinal directions