ILLUSTRATED GEOGRAPHY DICTIONARY

Absolute Location

The exact spot where something is on the earth. Usually expressed in longitude and latitude.

Intermediate Directions

The directions between the cardinal directions. They are: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest

Prime Meridian

The line of longitude at 0*

Tropic of Cancer

Northern line of latitude at 23*26’ representing the farthest North where the Sun is closest to the Earth.

Tropic of Capricorn

Southern line of latitude at 23*26’ representing the farthest South where the Sun is closest to the Earth.

Latitude

Lines running east-west around the earth that measure a places distance from the equator.

Cardinal Directions

The four directions used to express where something on earth is in relation to something else. They are: North, East, South, West

Scale

The ratio of a single unit of distance on the map to the equal distance on ground.

Weathering

The decomposition of earth’s rocks, soils, and minerals through contact with other elements.

Continent

A large landmass on Earth. There are seven: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.

Maps

Visual representations of an area.

Map Projection

Any method of representing the surface of a 3D objection in 2D. Types include Mercator, Robinson, Conic, and Great Circle.

Relief

The differences in elevation and slope between the higher and lower parts of the land

Equator

The line of latitude at 0*

Longitude

Lines running north-south around the earth that measure a places distance from the prime-meridian.

Hemisphere

Any half of the earth. Could be: North, South, East, or West

Relative Location

A places location on earth relative to another. For example: 5 miles past the McDonald’s.

North Pole

Northern most point on the earth’s surface. Located at 90*N. From here, any direction would be south.

South Pole

Southern most point on the earth’s surface. Located at 90*S. From here, any direction would be north.

Tectonic Plates

The dozen or so plates that make up the surface of the Earth.

Geography

The study of the earth’s surface, including climate, elevation, soil, vegetation, population, land use, and more

Continental Drift

The movement of the Earth’s continents relative to each other.

Globe

A 3-D scale representation of the earth.

Cartographer

The study and practice of making representations of the Earth on a flat surface.

Topographic map

A type of map characterized by large-scale detailed representation of relief of the earth

Grid

Network of horizontal and perpendicular lines, uniformly spaced, for locating points on a map or chart.