Geography Study Guide

Map Skills Study Guide

1.  Why is a compass rose important to have on a map? To help someone using the map determine location by showing the cardinal directions

2.  Lines of longitude are also known as meridians and meet at the poles.

3.  Lines of latitude are also known as parallels and never touch.

4.  What imaginary line divides the eastern and western hemisphere? Prime Meridian

5.  What is the name of the imaginary line on Earth that has a reading of 0 degrees latitude? Equator

6.  What is the name of the imaginary line on Earth that has a reading of 0 degrees longitude? Prime Meridian

7.  What type of location involves describing where something is in relation to other things? Relative location

8.  What type of location involves identifying the exact location of something by assigning it an address? Absolute

9.  What does a political map show? Shows boundaries and borders of countries, states, and cities

10.  What does a physical map show? Shows landforms and physical features like mountains, rivers, and deserts

11.  What is the purpose of a map key or legend? To describe the symbols used on a map

12.  Give two examples of a special use or special purpose map. Road map, climate map, historical map natural resource map, land use map, etc

13.  What is a map scale used for on a map? To help the user measure the distance from one place to another on the map

14.  What is the importance of Greenwich, England? The Prime Meridian runs through it

15.  In what two hemispheres are North America located? Northern and Western

16.  What are the cardinal directions? North, South East, and West

17.  What are the intermediate directions? NW, NE, SW, and SE

18.  What continent is east of Europe? Asia

19.  What continent is north of Africa? Europe

20.  What ocean is west of North America? Pacific Ocean

***Know all of your vocabulary words