| A | B |
|---|
| globe | round model of the earth |
| hemisphere | one half of the earth |
| latitude | imaginary line that runs east to west around the globe; measures distance north and south from the equator |
| longitude | imaginary line that runs north and south around the globe; measures distance east to west from the prime meridian |
| global grid | system of latitude and longitude lines that helps find absolute location |
| absolute location | point on eath's surface that identifies precise location using latitude and longitude |
| projection | way to show the earth on a map |
| key/legend | tool that identifies symbols on a map |
| compass rose | tool on a map that shows directions |
| map scale | tool on a map that is used to show distance |
| political map | map that shows boundaries and cities |
| physical map | map that shows land and water features such as mountains and rivers |
| geography | study of the earth and its people |
| region | place that is grouped together by common characteristics |
| plain | clear open land that isn't higher than surrounding land |
| plateau | land that is mainly flat and considerably higher than surrounding land |
| peninsula | land surrounded by water on three sides |
| strait | narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water |
| channel | deeper part of a waterway |
| delta | area of land at the mouth of a river built up by deposits of silt |
| elevation | height above sea level |
| isthmus | narrow strip of land that connects two larger landmasses and is bordered by water |
| meridian | line of longitude |
| parallel | line of latitude |
| weather | the daily state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, etc.; unpredictable |
| climate | average weather condition of a place over time; predictable |
| monsoon | seasonal winds |
| Tropic of Cancer | line of latitude at 23.5 degrees N; marks northern area of tropics |
| Tropic of Capricorn | line of latitude at 23.5 degrees S; marks southern area of tropics |
| distortion | change on a map caused by flattening a round object |
| axis | imaginary line running through center of earth from north to south |
| orbit | earth's path around the sun |
| basin | area of land drained by a river; surrounded by higher land |
| bay | part of a large body of water that extends into a shoreline; generally smaller than a gulf |
| canyon | deep and narrow valley with steep sides |
| cape | point of land that extends into a river, lake, or ocean |
| cliff | steep, high wall of rock, earth, or ice |
| continent | one of the seven large landmasses on the earth |
| equator | imaginary line that runs around the earth halfway between the North and South Poles; used as the starting point to measure degrees of north and south latitude |
| glacier | large, thick body of slowly moving ice |
| gulf | part of a large body of water that extends into a shoreline, generally larger and more deeply indented than a bay |
| harbor | sheltered place along a shoreline where ships can anchor safely |
| highland | elevated land such as a hill, mountain, or plateau |
| hill | elevated land with sloping sides and a rounded summit; generally smaller than a mountain |
| island | land area, smaller than a continent, completely surrounded by water |
| lake | sizable inland body of water |
| lowland | land, usually level, at a low elevation |
| map | drawing of the earth shown on a flat surface |
| canopy | thick layer of trees at the top of the rainforest |
| revolution | earth's yearly journey around the sun |
| rotation | complete turn of the earth on its axis in a 24 hour timespan |
| low latitudes | the tropics |
| high latitudes | polar zones |
| middle latitudes | temperate (moderate; not extreme) zones |
