Latitude

Distance north or south from the equator measured in degrees. Notice that they are all the same distance apart.

To remember latitude, imagine them as the horizontal rungs of a ladder ("ladder-tude").

Longitude

Distance measured by degrees or time east or west from the Prime Meridian. Unlike latitude lines, longitude lines are not circular, they begin and end at the poles; they are vertical…and long.

To remember longitude, think that the lines are “long dude”.

Equator

An imaginary circle around the center of the earth, equally distant from the North Pole and the South Pole.

Parallel

Any of the imaginary circles around the earth running parallel to the equator and marking latitude.

Meridian

Any of the imaginary circles around the earth passing through the North Pole and South Pole and marking longitude.

Prime Meridian

The meridian of 0° longitude from which other longitudes are calculated.

Degrees

A unit of measure that identifies latitude and longitude lines.

Hemisphere

One of the halves of the earth as divided by the equator or by a meridian.

Compass rose

A map element that has arrows that point in all four principle directions: north, south, east, and west.

Legend

A map key. On this map it is designed to show size.

Contiguous

Adjoining, touching or connected in an unbroken series.

Example: In the United States 48 of the states are contiguous, two of the states, Alaska and Hawaii are not physical connected to the other 48 states.

Functional region

A region that is made up of different places that are linked and function as a unit.

Example: The Washington D.C. metropolitan area is connected by a metro system that allows people to easily move throughout the area.

Formal region

An area or region with features that make it different from surrounding areas.

Example: The Sahara Desert has distinct features that set it apart from surrounding areas.

Perceptual region

A region that is reflective of human feelings and attitudes.

Example: Who we are and where we live affects our perception. For instance, we may not all agree on which states belong to the regions that we call the South or the Midwest.