Tools of History

Thematic Map

A type of map that shows specific information like religion, climate, or language dominating a region.

Political Map

A type of map that shows boundaries of countries, states, and counties, as well as locations of major cities and capitals.

Lines of Latitude

Imaginary lines that measure distance north and south of the equator, also known as parallels.

Hemispheres

Halves of the Earth, divided into Northern and Southern (by the Equator) and Eastern and Western (by the Prime Meridian and International Date Line).

Cartography

The set of skills and methods used to create maps.

Cartographer

A person who makes maps.

Anthropology

The broad study of people and human cultures, also known as cultural geography or ethnology.

Paleontology

The study of fossils and ancient life.

Paleontologists

Scientists who study the remains of ancient plants, animals, and bacteria.

Prime Meridian

One of the two main imaginary lines used to divide the Earth into Eastern and Western hemispheres.

Equator

The imaginary line that divides the Earth into Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Gregorian Calendar

The calendar introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII to correct errors in the Julian calendar.

Circa (c)

A Latin term meaning "around" or "approximately," used when the exact date is unknown.

Primary Source

An eyewitness evidence source that provides firsthand accounts of historical events.

Secondary Source

A source created by someone who did not experience an event firsthand, such as history textbooks or biographies.

Tertiary Source

A collection or summary of primary and secondary sources that provides a high-level overview of facts.