Geography Terms with Pictures

an imaginary line at 0 degrees longitude that divides the earth into the eastern and western hemispheres

• Prime Meridian

• Equator

• International Date Line

• Tropic of Cancer

The four main points of a compass: north, south, east, and west.

• cardinal directions

• intermediate directions

• geographical coordinates

• compass bearings

A picture or icon used on a map to represent a specific feature or location.

• symbol

• icon

• legend

• marker

A guide, or legend, that explains the symbols and colors used on a map.

• map key

• map scale

• map index

• map legend

a unit of measurement that indicates the distance between latitude and longitude lines

• mile

• degree

• kilometer

• radian

A map that shows natural features of the Earth, such as mountains, rivers, and lakes.

• political map

• topographic map

• physical map

• thematic map

Half of the Earth is usually divided into northern and southern halves by the equator or eastern and western halves by the Prime Meridian.

• hemisphere

• continent

• region

• zone

a map that shows the borders of neighboring countries, major cities, counties, provinces, or other man-made features

• political map

• topographic map

• thematic map

• climatic map

an imaginary line that circles the earth halfway between the north and south poles. It is 0 degrees latitude.

• Equator

• Prime Meridian

• Tropic of Cancer

• Arctic Circle

A map that shows information about past events or periods.

• historical map

• topographic map

• political map

• thematic map