Geography Vocabulary

A round ball with a map of the earth on it

• globe

• map

• equator

• geography

A map that shows us the boundaries of countries, states, provinces or cities.

• physical map

• political map

• globe

• thematic map

One of the earth's seven major areas of land:  Africa, Antarctica, Asia,

Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

• ocean

• equator

• continent

• map legend

The box that defines the symbols that are used on the map. It shows the symbol followed by a text description of what that symbol represents.

• ocean

• Intermediate Directions

• compass rose

• map legend

 

The four main compass directions:  North, South, East, and West

• ocean

• Intermediate Directions

• compass rose

• Cardinal Directions

 

The science of studying the Earth's surface and all life on it.

• ocean

• Intermediate Directions

• Geography

• Equator

 

These help you to more precisely find where places are located.

Examples are northeast (NE), southeast (SE), southwest (SW), and northwest (NW).

• Geography

• Intermediate Directions

• Cardinal Directions

• Map

a symbol on a map that shows the cardinal and sometimes the intermediate directions

• Compass Rose

• Intermediate Directions

• Geography

• Equator

A map that shows the diverse features of a place or country, like rivers,

mountains, forests and lakes. These features are usually shown in different colors.

• Political Map

• Physical Map

• Thematic Map

• Historical Map

A map that helps the reader better understand how things were long ago.

• Political Map

• Physical Map

• Thematic Map

• Historical Map