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Globe Terminology

Learn about the various terms used to describe world globes and their features.

What is a Political Globe?

A political globe is a type of globe that shows political boundaries, including countries, states, and cities. It is used to teach geography and to understand the political divisions of the world.

What and where is the International Date Line on a globe?

The imaginary line used as a reference to determine the beginning and end of the day. While arbitrary variations exist for local convenience, it follows the 180th meridian.

What are the Equinoxes?

The two events of the year, often around March 21 and September 23, when the sun’s rays are perpendicular to the Equator, resulting in day and night being of equal length all over the world.

What are the Hemispheres on a globe?

Any of the halves on the earths surface (i.e. Northern hemisphere, Southern hemisphere, Western hemisphere, Eastern hemisphere)

What are the Solstices?

Either of the two points on the ecliptic at which its distance from the celestial equator is greatest and which is reached by the sun each year about june 22 and december 22.

What is a Base on a globe?

The base of a globe is the structure that supports the globe. It can vary in design, from simple stands to elaborate pedestals, and is often made from materials like wood, metal, or plastic.

What is a Celestial Globe?

A celestial globe is a model of the celestial sphere, showing the positions of the stars and other celestial objects in the sky. It is used for teaching astronomy and for navigating by the stars.

What is a Degree?

A unit of measurement used in globes, known as 1/360th of the circumference of a circle.

What is a Desk Globe?

A desk globe is a smaller globe designed to sit on a desk or table. It is commonly used in homes and offices for educational purposes and as a decorative item.

What is a Digital Globe?

A digital globe is an electronic version of a globe, often interactive, that can display various types of information and maps. These are commonly used in educational settings and for geographic information systems.

What is a Floor Globe?

A floor globe is a large globe that is supported by a stand designed to sit on the floor. These globes are often used in educational or decorative settings due to their size and presence.

What is a Globe Stand?

A globe stand is the supporting structure that holds the globe sphere. It allows the globe to rotate and can come in various designs, including floor stands and desk stands.

What is a globe with a Cradle Mount?

The cradle mount is a type of mount that allows the globe to be disengaged for closer viewing. The globe is cradled and as such, has no axis.

What is a Globe?

The truest representation of the Earth; a map imprinted on an orb/round ball in the shape of the earth.

What is a Horizon Ring on a globe?

A horizon ring, also known as a horizon band, is a circular band around the middle of some globes. It represents the horizon and is used to demonstrate the concept of the horizon in relation to the Earth's surface.

What is a Latitude line on a globe?

Latitude lines are imaginary horizontal lines on a globe that measure the distance north or south of the equator. They are parallel to the equator and run from 0° at the equator to 90° at the poles.

What is a Legend on a globe?

The legend on a globe is a key that explains the symbols, colors, and markings used on the globe. It helps users understand the meaning of various features such as borders, cities, and natural landmarks.

What is a Longitude line on a globe?

Longitude lines, also known as meridians, are imaginary vertical lines on a globe that measure the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. They converge at the poles and are widest apart at the equator.

What is a Meridian on a globe?

A meridian is an imaginary line on a globe that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole. Meridians are used to measure longitude, which is the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

What is a Physical Globe?

A physical globe is a type of globe that shows physical features of the Earth's surface, such as mountains, rivers, and deserts. It is used to understand the physical geography of the world.

What is the Analemma on a globe?

The analemma is a figure 8 looking graphic commonly printed on older globes, usually in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The analemma is used for making calculations of mean time, acting as a reference point for the earths tilt. The analemma also marks the

What is the Equatorial Band on a globe?

The band applied to the equator, working also to cover the seam of the globe.

What is the Greenwich Meridian?

Also referred to as the Prime Meridian

What is the Parallels of Latitude on a globe?

East-west lateral lines around the globe that are parallel to the Equator.

What is the Rotation?

The earth’s turning on its axis.

What is the Scale on a globe?

The numerical relationship between an actual distance on the earth and the distance which represents it on a map.

What is the Cartouche on a globe?

The cartouche is the label on the globe that identifies that manufacturer and its location, as and sometimes the model and manufacturing date of the globe.

What is the Plain Mount on a globe?

A globe mounted onto its base with no form of meridian present. A globe mounted onto the base without any form of meridian.

What is the Southern Hemisphere on a globe?

The half of the worlds surface situated south of the Equator.

What is the Calotte (Polar Calottes) on a globe?

More often seen in European globes, polar calottes are two round pieces of paper that cover the poles instead of paper gores.

What is the Mounting on a globe?

The structure to which the globe is attached to and is what keeps the globe in place. See the definition of the many types of mounts (Plain Mount , Cradle mount, Stationary mount).

What is the Northern Hemisphere on a globe?

The half of the worlds surface situated north of the Equator.

What is an Armillary Sphere?

A globe characterized by rings that indicate planetary orbits, zodiac constellations, celestial measurement circles, and the equator. Often mounted as garden sundials or with an orrery inside.

What is a Replogle Globe?

A Replogle globe is a globe made by Replogle Globes, one of the largest and most well-known manufacturers of globes. These globes are known for their quality and detail.

What is the Diameter on a globe?

A line that passes through the globes center, measuring the diameter.

What is the Eastern Hemisphere on a globe?

The half of the earth generally recognized as being composed of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and their nearby oceans.

What is a Terrestrial Globe?

A terrestrial globe is a type of globe that represents the Earth's surface, showing continents, countries, and other features. It is the most common type of globe used for educational and decorative purposes.

What is the Axis on a globe?

The axis is the rod or shaft at the center of the globe. It represents the imaginary line around which the earth rotates or spins. At the two ends of the axis are the North Pole at the top and the South Pole at the bottom.

What is an Illuminated Globe?

An illuminated globe is a globe that has an internal light source, allowing it to be lit from within. This makes it easier to see details and can also be used as a decorative light source.

What is the Latitude & Longitude on a globe?

Latitude and longitude are horizontal and vertical lines that crisscross each other on maps and globes, helping establish reference points and creating a navigation system. Combine, these lines form a grid.

What is the Equator on a globe?

The equator is an imaginary line around the middle of a globe, equidistant from the North and South Poles. It divides the globe into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere and is used as the starting point for measuring latitude.

What is the Inclination of the Earth Axis on a globe?

Also known as the earths axis tilt 23.5. The tilt of the Earths axis, which is angled at 23.5 in relation to its orbital plane.

What is a Raised Relief Globe?

A raised relief globe is a type of globe that has three-dimensional textures to represent different elevations on the Earth's surface, such as mountains and valleys. This provides a tactile way to learn about geography.

What is a Sphere on a globe?

The sphere on a globe is the round, ball-shaped part that represents the Earth. It is typically made from materials such as paper, plastic, or metal and is covered with a map of the Earth's surface.

What is the Overlay on a globe?

The cartouches overlay, or when a label is applied to cover the original cartouche.

What is the Prime Meridian (Greenwich Time) on a globe?

Also known as the zero meridian, the basis of measurement for east and west longitude. The Prime Meridian (00 longitude) runs through Greenwich and is the basis from which standard times are calculated.

What is the Stationary Mount on a globe?

A type of mount that keeps the sphere and full meridian affixed to the globes base.

What is a Time Dial on a globe?

A time dial on a globe is a circular disc located at one of the poles. It is used to show the time at various points around the world based on the rotation of the globe and the position of the sun.

What is an Orb?

Another word used for globe, sphere, or round ball.

What is the Grid on a globe?

It is the network of parallels and meridians on a globe.

What is the Horizon Band on a globe?

The ring attached to many globes. This ring represents the celestial horizon, which divides the globe into the hemispheres.

What is the International Coloring Scheme on a globe?

It is the system of contour layer coloring for showing elevation on globes and maps. Green represents lower elevations, yellows medium elevations, and orange and brown for extreme elevations.

What is the Zodiac?

An imaginary belt in the nighttime sky and divided into 12 parts, each section represented by a symbol of a constellation.

What is the Western Hemisphere on a globe?

The half of the earth generally recognized as being composed of North America and South America.