Cartography
Science of map making
Equator
Horizontally circles earth halfway between north and south poles
Latitude
Lines on a map running paralell to the equator
Longitude
Distance east or west of the prime meridian
Prime Meridian
0 degrees longitude
International Date Line
the line of longitude that marks where each new day begins, centered on the 180th meridian
Mercator Projection
map that has paralell lines of latitude and longitude
conic projection
map made by projecting points and lines from a globe onto a cone.
Gnomic Projection Map
most accurate at the center, useful for plotting courses and navigation
topographic map
a map that shows the surface features of Earth
contour line
A line on a topographic map that connects points of equal elevation
contour interval
the difference in elevation from one contour line to the next
geologic map
A map showing the distribution of rock units and structures across a region.
map legend
Explains the meaning of symbols used on a map.
map scale
The relationship between the size of an object on a map and the size of the actual feature on Earth's surface.
remote sensing
A method of collecting data or information through the use of instruments that are physically distant from the area or object of study.
Landsat satellite
Record reflected wavelengths of energy from earths surface
TOPEX/Poseidon satellite
uses radar to map features on the ocean floor
Sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging)
a system that uses reflected sound waves to detect and locate objects underwater
Global Positioning System (GPS)
A system that determines the precise position of something on Earth through a series of satellites, tracking stations, and receivers.
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Combines many types and styles of mapping