Geography Vocabulary

geography – the study of the earth and how people use it

history – the study of the past

sphere – an object that is round

globe – a model of the earth

continent – a large body of land

ocean – a large body of salt water

compass rose – a drawing that shows where north, south, east, and west are on a map

hemisphere – half of the earth

key – the place on a map where symbols are explained

scale – a way of showing size or distance on a map

border – the line between two countries, states, or other places

grid – a system of lines on a map or globe that form boxes as they cross one another

symbol – a mark, drawing, or color that stands for something else

latitude lines – set of imaginary lines that go east and west beginning at the equator (0degrees) and continuing to the North and South poles (90degrees)

longitude lines – set of imaginary lines that go north and south beginning at the Prime Meridian (0degrees) continuing to the other side of earth (180degrees)

horizon – the point where the earth and sky appear to meet

peninsula – a piece of land bordered by water on three sides