Map Skills Vocabulary

a sphere that represents the Earth's surface

• physical map

• globe

• map scale

• compass rose

a drawing that tells about the land in an area by showing the physical features such as mountains, rivers, oceans, and plains

• cardinal directions

• map key

• physical map

• globe

a tool on a map showing cardinal and intermediate directions

• map key

• map scale

• navigation tool

• compass rose

the four main directions on a compass rose: North, South, East, and West

• cardinal directions

• intermediate directions

• compass rose

• globe

Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest

• cardinal directions

• intermediate directions

• compass rose

• map scale

an explanation of what the symbols on a map stand for

• map scale

• map key

• physical map

• cardinal directions

a way to measure distance on a map

• map scale

• map key

• intermediate directions

• globe