Map and Globe TermsMap and Globe Terms

GridGrid

Definition – A pattern of lines that Definition – A pattern of lines that circles the globe in east-west and circles the globe in east-west and north-south directions.north-south directions.

Purpose – To help us locate places on Purpose – To help us locate places on the earth / a map.the earth / a map.

Latitude / ParallelsLatitude / Parallels

Definition – The east-west lines in the Definition – The east-west lines in the grid.grid.

Purpose – Measure the distance Purpose – Measure the distance north and south of the Equator.north and south of the Equator.

EquatorEquator

Definition – The imaginary line that Definition – The imaginary line that circles the earth halfway between circles the earth halfway between the North and South Poles.the North and South Poles.

Purpose – It is located at 0° Latitude Purpose – It is located at 0° Latitude and distances are measured north or and distances are measured north or south of it.south of it.

Longitude / MeridiansLongitude / Meridians

Definition – The north-south lines in Definition – The north-south lines in the grid, which pass through the two the grid, which pass through the two poles.poles.

Purpose – Measure the distance east Purpose – Measure the distance east and west of the Prime Meridian.and west of the Prime Meridian.

Prime MeridianPrime Meridian

Definition – An imaginary line that Definition – An imaginary line that runs through Greenwich, England.runs through Greenwich, England.

Purpose – It is located at 0° Purpose – It is located at 0° Longitude and distances are Longitude and distances are measured east or west of it.measured east or west of it.

HemisphereHemisphere

Definition – Half of the earth as Definition – Half of the earth as divided by the Equator (Northern and divided by the Equator (Northern and Southern hemispheres) or by the Southern hemispheres) or by the Prime Meridian and the 180° Prime Meridian and the 180° meridian (Eastern and Western meridian (Eastern and Western hemispheres).hemispheres).

Purpose – Helps to identify the Purpose – Helps to identify the location of a place on a globe.location of a place on a globe.

ProjectionProjection

Definition – Ways of showing our Definition – Ways of showing our round planet on a flat map.round planet on a flat map.

Purpose – Allows map makers to Purpose – Allows map makers to make the best type of map for their make the best type of map for their purpose.purpose.

Compass RoseCompass Rose

Definition – A directional indicator Definition – A directional indicator that shows which way north, south, that shows which way north, south, east, and west lie on a map.east, and west lie on a map.

Purpose – Helps us to find locations Purpose – Helps us to find locations on a map.on a map.

ScaleScale

Definition – Represents the distances Definition – Represents the distances between points on a map.between points on a map.

Purpose – Shows us how much Purpose – Shows us how much smaller a map is than the real area it smaller a map is than the real area it represents (1 inch may equal 100 represents (1 inch may equal 100 miles).miles).

Legend / Map KeyLegend / Map Key

Definition – Explains what the Definition – Explains what the symbols on a map represent/mean.symbols on a map represent/mean.

Purpose – Helps us to find Purpose – Helps us to find information on a map.information on a map.

Locator MapLocator Map

Definition – Shows where in the world Definition – Shows where in the world the area on a map is located.the area on a map is located.

Purpose – Helps us to find an area Purpose – Helps us to find an area and see the surrounding areas that and see the surrounding areas that relate to it.relate to it.