Map Terms

Front

Physical maps

Back

Show the natural, physical features of land and water, like mountains, rivers, lakes.

Front

Political maps

Back

Show countries, their borders, and capital cities.

Front

Historical map

Back

A map that shows information about people, battles, events in the past.

Front

Symbols

Back

Small pictures that stand for or represent something else.

Front

Legend/Key

Back

Explains list of symbols on a map.

Front

Compass rose

Back

Shows directions on a map both cardinal (N,E,S,W) and intermediate (NE,SE,NW,SW).

Front

Scale

Back

This tool on a map shows you how to convert the distance on the map to the real distance, like 1" = 1 mile.

Front

Longitude

Back

Imaginary lines that circle the Earth that measure the distance east or west from the prime meridian (also called meridians).

Front

Latitude

Back

Imaginary lines that circle the Earth north or south of the equator (also called parallels).

Front

Equator

Back

An imaginary circle around the earth that divides the earth into the northern and southern hemispheres.