Essential Geography Terms

Topographic Map

• A type of map that shows political boundaries.

• A special map that shows how high or low the land is, like hills, valleys, and mountains.

• A map that displays only water bodies and their depths.

• A map used for navigation that shows roads and highways.

Physical Map

• A map that shows only political boundaries.

• A map that shows mountains, rivers, lakes, and land features. It’s like looking at nature on a map.

• A map that displays weather patterns and forecasts.

• A map that focuses on urban areas and infrastructure.

Map Scale

• A tool on the map that shows how much the map has been shrunk down, so you know how far places are in real life.

• A feature that indicates the type of terrain shown on the map.

• A legend that explains the symbols used on the map.

• A measurement of the map's age and historical significance.

Elevation

• How low a place is above sea level.

• How high a place is above sea level.

• The distance from the ground to the sky.

• The height of a building compared to others.

Contour Lines

• Wiggly lines on a topographic map that show the shape and height of the land.

• Straight lines that indicate the direction of water flow.

• Dotted lines that represent roads and pathways.

• Curved lines that show temperature variations in an area.

Location

• Absolute location is the exact spot (like an address or coordinates).

• Relative location explains where a place is compared to other places.

• Geographical location refers to the physical characteristics of a place.

• Political location indicates the boundaries set by governments.

Equator

• An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth that splits it into the northern and southern halves.

• A line that marks the boundary between the Earth's atmosphere and outer space.

• The longest line of latitude that circles the Earth.

• A geographical feature that separates continents.

Political Map

• A map that shows countries, states, and cities. It’s like a map of where people live and the borders between places.

• A map that displays physical features like mountains and rivers.

• A map that indicates the climate zones of different regions.

• A map that shows transportation routes and major highways.

Map Key/Legend

• A little box on the map that explains what the symbols, colors, and lines mean.

• A detailed description of the geographical features on the map.

• A section that lists the scale of the map and its measurements.

• An area that shows the history of the map's creation.

Region

• Groups places together that have something in common.

• A specific location defined by latitude and longitude.

• An area characterized by its climate and weather patterns.

• A political boundary established by government authorities.