Key Terms

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Last edited 43 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 02. Elements Of A Map

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Map Title: Informs us about the topic or what the map shows.

Direction: Helps to find directions on the map.

Scale: Helps in calculating the distance between two places on the map.

Legend or Key: Explains signs, symbols and colours used in the map.

Grid System: The horizontal and vertical lines or latitudes and longitudes drawn on a map.

Cardinal Directions: The four principal directions—North, South, East and West.

Verbal or Statement Scale: A scale stated in words, where units are usually mentioned (e.g., 1 cm = 5 km).

Graphical or Linear Scale: A straight line scale divided into lengths that represent given distances on the earth’s surface.

Representative Fraction (RF): A fraction in which the numerator expresses the distance on the map and the denominator represents the actual distance on the ground, with the numerator always 1 and both expressed in the same unit.

Conventional Signs and Symbols: Internationally recognized signs and symbols used to show natural and man-made features on maps.

Latitudes: The horizontal east-west lines; the angular distance north or south of the equator measured from the centre of the earth.

Equator: The 0° latitude, the longest latitude and a Great Circle, dividing the earth into northern and southern hemispheres.

Northern Hemisphere: The northern half of the Earth divided by the Equator.

Southern Hemisphere: The southern half of the Earth divided by the Equator.

Tropic of Cancer: The latitude at 23 ½° N, the northernmost limit to which direct rays of the sun are received.

Tropic of Capricorn: The latitude at 23 ½° S, the southernmost limit to which direct rays of the sun are received.

Arctic Circle: The latitude at 66 ½° N.

Antarctic Circle: The latitude at 66 ½° S.

North Pole: The point at 90° N latitude.

South Pole: The point at 90° S latitude.

Longitudes: The vertical north-south lines that run from pole to pole; the angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian measured from the centre of the earth.

Prime Meridian: The 0° longitude, also called the Greenwich Meridian, which passes through Greenwich near London and helps determine time worldwide.

International Date Line: The 180° meridian, which helps determine day and date, as the day and date change when one crosses this line.

Eastern Hemisphere: The eastern half of the Earth divided by the Prime Meridian and the International Date Line.

Western Hemisphere: The western half of the Earth divided by the Prime Meridian and the International Date Line.

Gerardus Mercator: A Belgian cartographer who created his first world map in 1538 and coined the term ‘atlas’.

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