This document defines key map terminology including globe, hemisphere, latitude, longitude, grid system, absolute location, projection, map key, GIS, cardinal directions, compass rose, intermediate directions, scale bar, scale, relief, elevation, contour lines, relative location, political maps, and physical maps. It provides examples for each term and diagrams to illustrate compass roses, contour maps, and relief maps.

1. Map Skills
Definitions and Examples

2. Globe
• ~a model of Earth.

3. Hemisphere
• ~one-half of the globe
• The Equator divides the Northern and
Southern hemispheres.
• The Prime Meridian divides the Eastern
and Western hemispheres.

4. Latitude
• ~locations north or south of the Equator
measured by imaginary lines.
• The Equator is at 0 degrees latitude; an
imaginary line that separates the northern
and southern hemispheres.

5. Longitude
• ~locations east or west of the Prime
Meridian, measured by imaginary lines.
• The Prime Meridian lies at 0 degrees
longitude.

6. Grid System
• ~the checkered board pattern on a map
that is created by crossing lines of latitude
and longitude.
• This grid system helps you find the
absolute location of a place.

7. Absolute Location
• ~the specific location of a place; the
longitude & latitude of a location or the
specific address of a location.
• For example;
MMS Currituck County
216 Survey Road 36.36 degrees N,
Moyock, NC 27958 75.94 degrees W

8. Projection
• ~how mapmakers draw the round earth on
a flat piece of paper.
• Mapmakers create many different map
projections, that have their own unique
characteristics.

9. Map Key
• ~ a code that explains lines, symbols, and
colors used on a map.

10. GIS
• ~a computer software program that
mapmakers use that can help them make
and change maps more quickly and easily
than before.
• G-geographic I-information S-systems

11. Cardinal Directions
• ~ basic directions on a compass rose.
• N (north), E (east), S (south), W (west)
This compass rose only shows cardinal directions.

12. Compass Rose
• ~a device drawn on maps to show
directions.

13. Intermediate Directions
• ~any direction between the cardinal
directions.
• For example, NE (northeast) is between
north and east.
This example shows both cardinal and intermediate directions.

14. Scale bar
• ~a measuring line on a map that helps you
determine distances on a map.

15. Scale
• ~the ratio between a distance on a map
and the same distance on the earth.
• For example; 1 inch:20 miles

16. Relief
• ~changes of elevation over a given area of
land
This is an example of
a raised relief map.

17. Elevation
• ~the distance of an area above sea level.

18. Contour lines
• ~one line for each major level of elevation:
contour maps show levels of elevation:
contour maps are a type of physical map

19. *Relative location*
• ~the location of a subject in relation to
another point.
• For example; Camden County is just west
of Currituck County.

20. *Review*
• How are political and physical maps
different from each other?
• Compare how they are the same…

21. Political Maps
• ~show the names and boundaries of
countries and often identify major physical
features

22. Physical Maps
• ~ identify landforms and water features
Physical maps often show relief
or elevation.
A contour and relief maps are
physical maps.