Geography Basics

Front

Map Key

Back

A box on a map that helps you understand what the different symbols, colors, and lines mean.

Front

Compass Rose

Back

A symbol on a map that shows North, South, East, and West.

Front

Map Scale

Back

Measurement a map uses to indicate the real size of a place on Earth.

Front

Cardinal Direction

Back

The four main directions: north, south, east, and west.

Front

Intermediate Direction

Back

Directions halfway between the cardinal directions: northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest.

Front

Longitude

Back

Imaginary line on Earth's surface that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole—runs long.

Front

Latitude

Back

Imaginary lines that run horizontally around the Earth.

Front

Absolute Location

Back

Exact spot on a map or in the world.

Front

Relative Location

Back

Describes where a place is by comparing it to other places or landmarks.

Front

Equator

Back

An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth that divides it into two halves: the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.