absolute location
the precise point where a place is located on Earth
relative location
where a place is located in relation to another place
distortion
a change in the shape, size, or position of a place when it is shown on a map
map projection
a way of representing the spherical Earth on a flat surface
compass rose
a diagram on a map that shows directions such as north, south, east, and west
cardinal directions
the four main directions on a compass rose: north, south, east, and west
intermediate directions
the directions on a compass rose, such as southeast, that are located between the cardinal directions
map legend
a box or other display on a map that explains the meaning of the symbols used on the map
map key
another name for map legend
map grid
a system of imaginary lines that divides up the space on a map
global grid
the system of imaginary lines (called parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude) used to divide the surface of Earth on maps and globes
parallels of latitude
an imaginary line around Earth that runs parallel to the equator
equator
the line of latitude that circles Earth exactly midway between the North and South poles
meridians of longitude
an imaginary line between the North and South poles that crosses the equator at right angles
prime meridian
the meridian of longitude labeled 0 degrees, from which all other degrees of longitude are measured. The prime meridian passes through Greenwich, England
International Date Line
the meridian of longitude located at 180�. By international agreement, the date is one day earlier to the east of this line
coordinates
a set of numbers that together describe the exact location of something, such as a place on a map
map scale
an element of a map that shows how a unit of distance on the map (such as an inch) relates to actual distance on the surface of Earth
hemisphere
one half of a sphere. Earth can be divided into eastern and western hemispheres or into northern and southern hemispheres
continent
the seven largest areas of land on Earth
landmass
a very large, unbroken area of land
revolution
one complete trip by Earth around the sun
axis
an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole through the center of Earth
rotation
the spinning motion of Earth around its axis
Tropic of Cancer
the northernmost line of latitude where the sun's rays ever beat straight down. This line marks the northern limit of the tropical zone
Tropic of Capricorn
the southernmost line of latitude where the sun's rays ever beat straight down. This line marks the southern limit of the tropical zone
tropical zone
area between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer and between the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, where the climate is generally hot
Arctic Circle
the line of latitude at 66�33'N that marks the boundary of the northern polar zone
Antarctic Circle
the line of latitude at 66�33'S that marks the boundary of the southern polar zone
polar zone
the area between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole or between the Antarctic Circle and the South Pole, where the climate is generally cold
temperate zone
the area between Earth's tropical zones and polar zones, where the climate is relatively mild
absolute location
the precise point where a place is located on Earth
relative location
where a place is located in relation to another place
distortion
a change in the shape, size, or position of a place when it is shown on a map
map projection
a way of representing the spherical Earth on a flat surface
compass rose
a diagram on a map that shows directions such as north, south, east, and west
cardinal directions
the four main directions on a compass rose: north, south, east, and west
intermediate directions
the directions on a compass rose, such as southeast, that are located between the cardinal directions
map legend
a box or other display on a map that explains the meaning of the symbols used on the map
map key
another name for map legend
map grid
a system of imaginary lines that divides up the space on a map
global grid
the system of imaginary lines (called parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude) used to divide the surface of Earth on maps and globes
parallels of latitude
an imaginary line around Earth that runs parallel to the equator
equator
the line of latitude that circles Earth exactly midway between the North and South poles
meridians of longitude
an imaginary line between the North and South poles that crosses the equator at right angles
prime meridian
the meridian of longitude labeled 0 degrees, from which all other degrees of longitude are measured. The prime meridian passes through Greenwich, England
International Date Line
the meridian of longitude located at 180�. By international agreement, the date is one day earlier to the east of this line
coordinates
a set of numbers that together describe the exact location of something, such as a place on a map
map scale
an element of a map that shows how a unit of distance on the map (such as an inch) relates to actual distance on the surface of Earth
hemisphere
one half of a sphere. Earth can be divided into eastern and western hemispheres or into northern and southern hemispheres
continent
the seven largest areas of land on Earth
landmass
a very large, unbroken area of land
revolution
one complete trip by Earth around the sun
axis
an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole through the center of Earth
rotation
the spinning motion of Earth around its axis
Tropic of Cancer
the northernmost line of latitude where the sun's rays ever beat straight down. This line marks the northern limit of the tropical zone
Tropic of Capricorn
the southernmost line of latitude where the sun's rays ever beat straight down. This line marks the southern limit of the tropical zone
tropical zone
area between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer and between the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn, where the climate is generally hot
Arctic Circle
the line of latitude at 66�33'N that marks the boundary of the northern polar zone
Antarctic Circle
the line of latitude at 66�33'S that marks the boundary of the southern polar zone
polar zone
the area between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole or between the Antarctic Circle and the South Pole, where the climate is generally cold
temperate zone
the area between Earth's tropical zones and polar zones, where the climate is relatively mild