Geo terms

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Compass rose

a symbol on a map that shows the cardinal directions

Scale

The ratio of distance on earth compared to the same distance on a map

symbol

a graphic used to represent a geographic feature or group of features

Key

a box on a map which explains the symbols, provides a scale, and more

cartographer

a person who draws or produces maps

grid

a pattern of evenly spaced vertical and horizontal lines used to identify a location on a map

interpolation

the process of finding the unknown value in between two points

latitude

the measurement of distance north or south of the equator

meridian

an imaginary line drawn from the north to the south pole

distortion

the misrepresentation of shape, area, distance, and direction of geographic features when compared to their real measurements

great circle

the largest possible circle that can be drawn around a sphere

projection

a way of showing the surface of a 3-dimensional sphere on a flat surface

natural resources

materials from the earth that are used to support life and meet people’s needs

physical map

a map which shows us natural features of the earth

glacier

a large body of ice which constantly moves under its own weight

mountain

high rocky land (usually at least 2000 ft.)

Strait

a narrow body of water which connects two larger bodies of water

island

land completely surrounded by water

escarpment

steep slopes at the edge of a plateau

Ocean

a continuous body of water which is larger than a sea

gulf

a part of an ocean or sea extending into the land which is bigger than a bay

physical features

different types of land or water on the Earth

sea

a continuous body of water but is smaller than an ocean

bay

a part of the ocean or sea extending into land but is smaller than a gulf

river

a moving or flowing body of freshwater

downstream

water in a river going downhill

mouth

the place where a river enters a lake, larger river, or the ocean/ end of a river

cape

land surrounded by water on three sides but is smaller than a peninsula

continent

one of the 7 largest landmasses on the Earth

isthmus

a narrow strip of land which connects two larger landmasses

altitude

height above sea level

peninsula

land surrounded by water on three sides and is bigger than a cape

geography

study of the Earth and how people use their resources

fjord

steep slopes going into the sea

upstream

going against the river’s current towards the source

archipelago

group of islands

tributary

a flowing freshwater stream that flows into a larger stream or river

valley

low land in between hills or mountains

harbor

a body of water which is sheltered by natural or artificial barriers

lake

a body of water that is surrounded by land

Delta

sediment and dirt deposited at the mouth of a river, forming a triangular area

channel

a wide strait or waterway between two land masses that lie close to each other

canyon

deep valley with steep sides usually haves a river flowing at the bottom

plain

low flat wide open land

canal

a human made waterway which allows boats and ships to pass from one body of water to another

source

the place where a river begins/ start of the river

plateau

high flat land