Map Vocabulary

Grade 2 · Social Studies · Flashcards

Practice key words and tools used when reading and understanding maps.

Flashcards

Map: A flat drawing that shows what a place looks like from above.
Globe: A round model of Earth that shows continents and oceans in their true shapes.
Map Key (Legend): A box on a map that explains what each symbol or color means.
Compass Rose: A symbol on a map that shows directions: North, South, East, and West.
North: The direction toward the North Pole. On most maps, North points up.
South: The direction toward the South Pole. On most maps, South points down.
East: The direction to the right on most maps.
West: The direction to the left on most maps.
Map Scale: A line on a map that shows how a distance on the map compares to real distance on Earth.
Symbols: Small pictures or shapes on a map that stand for real things, like a tree symbol for a forest.
Border: A line on a map that shows where one country, state, or place ends and another begins.
Capital: The city where the government of a state or country is located. Often shown with a star on a map.
Landform: A natural shape on Earth's surface, like a mountain, valley, plain, or peninsula.