地球仪指的是一种球体模型，可视为按比例缩小的地球模型。此外，也有与地球仪制作方法类似的模型浑天仪、月球仪、火星仪等。目前已知的最早的地球仪是在公元前150年的奇里乞亚。现存最早的地球仪是1492年，德国人马丁·倍海姆（Martin Behaim）制作的，当时属于美洲的位置还是一片海洋，现存于纽伦堡。

奥地利维也纳的地球仪博物馆是世界上唯一以地球仪为主要收藏品的博物馆。

A globe is a three-dimensional, spherical, scale model of Earth (terrestrial globe or geographical globe) or other celestial body such as a planet or moon. While models can be made of objects with arbitrary or irregular shapes, the term globe is used only for models of objects that are approximately spherical. The word “globe” comes from the Latin word globus, meaning round mass or sphere. Some terrestrial globes include relief to show mountains and other features on the Earth’s surface.