Map Reading Concepts

Front

atlas

Back

a book of maps

Front

political map

Back

maps that show boundaries of states and nations as well as cities and towns

Front

physical map

Back

maps that show natural features of the Earth (mountains, rivers, plateaus, lakes)

Front

country

Back

an area or region with its own government, cities, capital, etc. It is denoted by an invisible boundary line between it and neighboring countries.

Front

ocean

Back

a very large area of sea or open water that is divided geographically into smaller areas or bodies of water such as seas, bays, gulfs, channels, etc.

Front

continent

Back

a large continuous expanse of land

There are 7 on earth.

Front

boundary

Back

a line, often invisible, that marks the edge of an area

It is a dividing line between countries, states, provinces, etc.

Front

labels

Back

an identifying phrase or name applied to a place or thing

Front

distortion

Back

a stretching, shrinking, or other adjustment of shape that can mislead or misrepresent others on an area of a map

Front

directions

Back

1. 1. the path along which something lies, moves, or points

2. instructions on how to get somewhere