Illustrated Geography Dictionary

1. Illustrated Geography Dictionary

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

3. Intermediate Directions • The directions between the cardinal directions. They are: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest

4. Prime Meridian • The line of longitude at 0*

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

6. Tropic of Capricorn • Northern line of latitude at 23*26’ representing the farthest South where the Sun is closest to the Earth.

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

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

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

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

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

12. Maps • Visual representations of an area.

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

14. Relief • The differences in elevation and slope between the higher and lower parts of the land

15. Equator • The line of latitude at 0*

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

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

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

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

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

21. Tectonic Plates • The dozen or so plates that make up the surface of the Earth.

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

23. Continental Drift • The movement of the Earth’s continents relative to each other.

24. Globe • A 3-D scale representation of the earth.

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

26. Topographic map • A type of map characterized by large-scale detailed representation of relief of the earth

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