Geography+2008-2009



You will be responsible to learn/review on an average of 10 to 12 words a week. A general description of two or three terms will be presented at the start of class each day. The definition of each term is to be handwritten in your composition book as the definition is displayed from the projector. If you are absent or miss the terms/definitions, you can keep pace with the class by coping two or three of the next terms in the order of presentation. If you have time, review the terms that have been persented in class. The listing of the terms below is not intended for you to exceed the pace of the class.
 * BUILDING VOCABULARY **

** GEOGRAPHIC TERMS IN THE ORDER OF PRESENTATION  **

Arctic. Some recognize five oceans: the fifth being the Southern Ocean - ocean waters south of 60 degrees south. Mexico, Chesapeake Bay. produces distortions with regards to shape, orientation, and/or relative area. what the person knows or (feels) about the locations and the characteristics of places. From the layout of the students bedroom to the distribution of oceans, continents, countries, cities, and cultures on Earth we all carry around with us **mental maps**. the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. region the climate undergoes the greatest seasonal changes in temperature and moisture. the icy, cold areas around the North and South Poles. are opposite of those in the Southern Hemisphere. degrees longitude. It is the baseline for measuring longitude. The **Prime Meridian** divides Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Line** is where each new day begins. surface. to the natural or physical processes: erosion, earthquakes, climate, etc.. people begin to live. Communication is the **movement** or the process by which people exchange information. bridges, houses, and roads. **Human/Environment Interaction** also explains how people adapt to their environment. For example, in places along the ocean, people may fish for a living. In cold places, people wear more warm clothing. plains, plateaus, and mountain ranges) and minor features (such as hills, valleys, slopes, peninsulas, and dunes). Collectively: the landforms of Earth make-up the face of the earth. the same physical features that are found on the continents including mountains, deep canyons, and crevices (fractures). the Rocky Mountains, the hilly topography of Pennsylvania, or the flat topography of the Delmarva Peninsula. cause an earthquake or tsunami (large ocean wave) - tidal wave. huge, rigid plates hold both the ocean floor and the continents. climate. tropical wet and tropical wet and dry. **Tropical climates** **are considered the climate of the low latitudes.** Temperate climates have four distinct seasons. **Temperate climates** **are considered the climate of the middle latitudes.** high latitudes. highlands (mountains) and uplands (plateaus). Pacific Ocean; "typhoons" when they occur in the China Sea and western Pacific Ocean; and cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean. winds of 100 to 300 mph. **Tornadoes are** also known as twisters. cold ocean currents transport oxygen and nutrients to living things throughout the ocean. visible feature. relates to an area outside of cities and towns.) full status of principal divisions. ocean. quantities larger than can be carried off by tides or currents. The Nile and Mississippi Rivers have deltas. the Atlantic Ocean. stream. Runoff includes the water and everything it picks up along the way. Atlantic to the Pacific. ago. ice. scientists believe that a rise in carbon dioxide levels (caused by automobile, power plant, and other emissions) will lead to further global warming. clothing. They can tend to cattle, camels, goats, horses, reindeer, or sheep. retain water and reduce soil erosion. to farm very steep hillsides. minerals. cannot be replaced. power are examples of renewable resources. So long as we manage these renewable resources correctly, we will always be able to use them. steam has been harnessed to turn turbine engines to generate electricity. or anyone else who needs to know the layout of the land.
 * 1. Geography** is the study of places and the complex relationship between people and their environment.
 * 2.** A **continent** is one of the large landmasses of the earth.
 * 3.** The **ocean** is the vast body of salt water that covers nearly three-fourths of the earth. The four oceans of the world are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and
 * 4. Sea**, **gulf**, and, **bay** are names given to an indentation of the shoreline of an ocean or a large body of salt water. Examples: Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of
 * 5.** A **map** is graphic representation of the earth's surface on a flat piece of paper.
 * 6.** A **cartographer** is a person who draws or makes maps.
 * 7. Map projection** refers to the method a cartographer uses to transfer all the information from the round earth onto flat paper. All **map projections**
 * 8. Mental maps** are maps that represent the mental image that a person has of an area even of places weve never been. **Mental maps** represents
 * 9. Map symbols** can be colors, lines, dots, graphics, etc that stands for or represents something else on a map.
 * 10.** A **scale** or **map scale** indicates the relationship between the distances on the map and the actual distances on the earth.
 * 11.** The **legend** or **key** is the part of the map where you will find the explanation to the meaning of symbols and pictures on a map.
 * 12.** A **compass rose** is the symbol on a map which shows the directions of N.S.E.W.
 * 13. Cardinal directions** are the four main points of the compass: north, south, east, and west.
 * 14. Intermediate directions** are the points of a compass that fall between the four cardinal points (e.g., northeast, southeast, southwest, northwest).
 * 15.** A **globe** is a round model of the earth.
 * 16.** A **hemisphere** is one half of a globe. The Northern Hemisphere on is divided from the Southern Hemisphere by the Equator.
 * 17.** The **Equator** is an imaginary line around the middle of the earth. The **Equator** is exactly half way between the North Pole and the South Pole. The **Equator** divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
 * 18. Latitude** is the distance north or south of the Equator.
 * 19. Lines of latitude**, or **parallels**, measure the distance north or south of the Equator.
 * 20.** The **low latitudes** is an area between 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south of the Equator. The **tropical region** is within the low latitudes between
 * 21. Middle latitudes**, also known as **temperate regions**, are the areas that lie primarily between 30 and 60 degrees latitude in both hemispheres. In this
 * 22.** The **high latitudes** or **polar regions** are located between 60° and 90° latitude, in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The polar regions are
 * 23. Seasons** are periods of the year that are distinguished by special climate conditions. Summer, fall, winter, spring. Seasons in the Northern Hemisphere
 * 24. Rotation** refers to the spinning of a body, such as the earth, about its axis.
 * 25. Revolution** refers to the motion of Earth around the sun. It takes Earth about 365 days to make one revolution around the sun.
 * 26.** The **Prime Meridian** is an imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole through Greenwich, England. The **Prime Meridian** is at zero
 * 27.** The **International Date Line** is an imaginary line of longitude generally 180° (degrees) east or west of the Prime Meridian. The **International Date
 * 28. Longitude** is the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
 * 29. Lines of longitude**, or **meridians**, measure the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
 * 30. Place** refers to a collection of features that distinguish it from other places despite that many places have similar physical and human characteristics.
 * 31. Location** refers to particular place on the surface of the earth.
 * 32. Relative location** is the position of a place in relation to another place.
 * 33.** An **exact location** tells you exactly where a place is. It can be a mailing address, map coordinates, or exact directions.
 * 34.** A **map grid** is a crisscross network of meridian and parallels on a map or globe which allows someone to locate any place exactly on the earth's
 * 35. Coordinates** refer to the system of latitude and longitude to precisely locate places on Earth's surface. Example: 38°N., 76°W.
 * 36. Connection** refers to a relation between things or events (as in the case of one thing or event causing the other).
 * 37. Environment** refers to all of the surroundings and the conditions that affect living things, such as water, soil, and air.
 * 38.** The **natural** or **physical environment** are all the things in and around a place that were not made (or brought in) by people. The terms can also refer
 * 39. Cultural** or **human features** are those things in and around a place that were made, built, or brought there by people.
 * 40. Geographic** refers the details of a specific region.
 * 41.** A **geographic profile** is an outline or summary that includes the physical and human features of an area.
 * 42. Physical features** are the natural characteristic of the earth's surface (river, mountain, lake, forest).
 * 43. Human settlements** refer to the communities founded and developed by people, such as villages, towns, and cities: or simply a new place where
 * 44. Suburb** is a residential district located on the outskirts of a city.
 * 45. Rural** describes a countryside used chiefly for agriculture, either now or in the recent past.
 * 46. Society** refers to all people or group of people regarded as forming a single community having common traditions, institutions, activities, and interests.
 * 47. Human activities** are the occupations, interest, actions and behaviors of people interacting with the environment.
 * 48. Movement** refers to transportation and communication. Transportation is the **movement** of people and goods from one place to another.
 * 49. Alter** means to change or modify.
 * 50.** **Human/Environment Interaction** explains how people live in a place. It explains how they change their environment. For example, people build
 * 51. Cultural patterns** refer to the human imprints on their landscape or the unique use of the physical environment by a particular group of people.
 * 52. Culture** is the way people live. Culture includes peoples' ideas, beliefs, language, values, knowledge, customs, and ways they make things.
 * 53.** A **cultural region** is an area with common knowledge, attitudes, behaviors.
 * 54.** A **region** is an area having some characteristic or characteristics that distinguish it from other areas.
 * 55.** A **physical region** is an area with common natural features.
 * 56.** A **landform** is any feature of Earth's surface having a distinct shape and origin. Landforms include major features (such as continents, ocean basins,
 * 57.** The **ocean basin**, also known as the **ocean floor**, is the part of the earth's outer surface that is covered by the ocean. The ocean basin has many of
 * 58.** A **mountain** refers to land that rises 1,000 feet or higher than the surrounding area.
 * 59.** A **mountain range** is a row of connected mountains.
 * 60. Windward** refers to the side of a mountain (or anything else) facing into the wind; windy and wetter side of a mountain.
 * 61. Leeward** or the **rain shadow** refers to the side of a mountain that is sheltered from the wind. It is the drier side of a mountain.
 * 62.** A **hill** is a raised section of land, smaller than a mountain, and has a rounded summit.
 * 63.** A **plain** is a large area of land, either level or gently rolling, usually at low elevation.
 * 64.** A **plateau** is a large, flat area of land that is higher than the surrounding land and usually with steep sides.
 * 65.** A **peninsula** is a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides. Florida and Italy are peninsulas. **Can you name another?**
 * 66. Topography** refers to the lay of the land. Topography is the shape of the surface features of a geographic area. Examples: the rugged topography of
 * 67. Earth's crust** is the outer layer of the Earth. It is a relatively thin layer of rock that coats the earth.
 * 68.** The **mantle** is the layer of the earth between the crust and the core.
 * 69.** The **core** is that portion of the interior part of the Earth that lies beneath the mantle, and goes all of the way to the center (inner core & outer core).
 * 70.** A **volcano** is a mountain or hill built up by the eruption of molten rock and ash from the earths interior.
 * 71. Volcanologists** are scientist who studies volcanoes.
 * 72.** An **earthquake** is a shaking of the earth caused by a sudden movement of rock beneath the earth's surface.
 * 73. Seismic waves** are vibrations caused by movement of rocks (plates) in the earth's crust. When seismic waves reach the earth's surface they can
 * 74. Seismologists** are scientists who study earthquakes and seismic waves.
 * 75.** A **fault** is a crack or fracture in the earth's crust (surface). Movement along the fault can cause earthquakes and in the process of mountain-building.
 * 76. Continental drift** refers to the theory that the continents are drifting across the earth.
 * 77. Plate tectonics** refer to the interaction of the thick slabs of rock called plates that make up the earth's crust. These plates are constantly moving. The
 * 78. Mining** is the extraction (removal) of minerals (like coal, gold, or silver) from the ground.
 * 79. Soil** is the surface layer of Earth that usually supports plant life.
 * 80. Vegetation** is plant life.
 * 81. Natural vegetation** is the plant life of an area that existed prior to it being modified by people. The type of natural vegetation depends largely on
 * 82. Climate** is the average weather conditions of a particular place over a long period of time, usually 30 years.
 * 83. Climate regions** are areas that share similar temperatures and precipitation throughout the year.
 * 84.** A **climate graph** is a graph that shows both the average monthly temperature and the average monthly precipitation of a place.
 * 85. Temperature** is the degree of hotness or coldness that can be measured using a thermometer.
 * 86. Precipitation** is moisture (water) that falls from the atmosphere as rain, drizzle, hail, sleet or snow.
 * 87. Tropical climates** occur in areas that maintain an average temperature of about 70 degrees for all months. There are two types of **Tropical climates**,
 * 88. Temperate climates** are found between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic circle and between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle.
 * 89. Polar climates** have extremely cold winters and summers. (2) Climate types: Tundra and Ice cap. **Polar climates** are considered the climate of the
 * 90. High elevation climates** are influenced by elevation; higher the elevation, colder the temperatures. There are two types of **High elevation climates**,
 * 91. Weather** is the daily condition of the atmosphere.
 * 92.** **Atmosphere** is air surrounding the earth
 * 93.** A **drought** is a period of time when precipitation levels are low, effecting agriculture, water supply, and wildfire hazard.
 * 94.** A **hurricane** / **cyclone** / **typhoon** is violent rotating windstorm (74 mph or higher). They are called: "hurricanes" in the Atlantic Ocean or eastern
 * 95. Hurricane-prone areas** are areas that are most likely to be hit by a hurricane; such as the Mid Atlantic Ocean (West Indies to Maine).
 * 96.** A **tornado** is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with the ground. Tornadoes usually develop from severe thunderstorms and can produce
 * 97.** A **desert** is a region with an average annual rainfall of 10 inches or less. A desert is an arid region with little or no vegetation.
 * 98.** A **rainforest** is a moist, densely wooded area usually found in a warm, tropical wet climate.
 * 99. Tundra** is a flat or rolling treeless plain found in arctic and subarctic regions, usually with permafrost.
 * 100. Elevation** is the height of land above sea level.
 * 101. Sea level** is the surface of the ocean. It is used as a standard in measuring land elevation or sea depths.
 * 102. Coast** refers to the land near the sea, including the beach and a strip of land inland from the beach.
 * 103. Tides** are the regular daily rise and fall of the ocean waters along the coast.
 * 104.** A **harbor** is a sheltered port along the coast where ships can take on or discharge cargo.
 * 105. Ocean currents** are river-like streams of water that move throughout the oceans. Ocean currents transport heat from the tropics to the Poles. Deep
 * 106.** A **political division** is an area with its own governmental system.
 * 107.** A **boundary** is a line that defines the limits of a geographic area such as a block, county, or other political jurisdiction. It may or may not follow a
 * 108.** A **country** is a recognized territory whose government is the highest legal authority over the land and the people living within its boundaries. (Also
 * 109. Landlocked** refers to a country or region having no direct access to the sea.
 * 110.** A **state** is a political subdivision of the United States of America. Example: the state of Delaware.
 * 111. County** refers to a political subdivision of a State. Example: New Castle, Kent, & Sussex
 * 112.** A **city** is a large and densely populated urban area.
 * 113.** A **village** is a community of people smaller than a town.
 * 114. Provinces and territories** are political divisions of land in Canada, similar to a state in the United States.
 * 115. Political territory** refers to the land and waters under the jurisdiction of a nation, state, ruler, etc a part of a country or empire that does not have the
 * 116.** A **subregion** is any further divisions of any region (physical-political-cultural).
 * 117. Cooperation** is the act of working together towards the same goal (with a person, group, or country).
 * 118.** A **conflict** can be a fight, struggle, or opposition (unfriendliness) with another.
 * 119. Local** refers to an area close to home. **Local** also refers to a restricted or limited area.
 * 120.** A **river** is a large, natural stream of water that flows across the land and usually empties into a large body of water such as a larger river, lake, or
 * 121.** A **source** is the place where something begins. The **source** of a river is where the river begins.
 * 122.** The **mouth** of a river is the place where a river empties into a larger body of water. The **mouth** is where the river ends.
 * 123.** A **delta** is a fan-shaped area of land at the mouth, or lower end, of a river, formed by eroded material that has been carried downstream and dropped in
 * 124. Upstream** is towards the source of the river or against the current. (Upriver)
 * 125. Downstream** is in the direction with the flow of a stream or river; downriver. **Downstream** is away from the source (**going with the flow**).
 * 126.** A **waterfall** is water that flows over the edge of a cliff or steep mountainside.
 * 127.** A **tributary** is a river or stream that flows into a larger river or stream.
 * 128.** A **continental divide** is a mountain range that separates the waters of rivers and streams which flow into the Pacific Ocean from those flowing into
 * 129. Runoff** refers to the water from rain, melting snow, or irrigation that flows over the ground surface and returns to streams, running off the land to the
 * 130.** A **flood** is the rising and overflowing of a body of water onto land that is normally dry.
 * 131.** A **flood prone area** is an area that may or may not be within a water body's regular flood plain, but will occasionally flood as waters rise.
 * 132. Floodplain** refers to the relatively flat area of land bordering a river or lake that may be covered with water during a flood.
 * 133.** A **strait** is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water.
 * 134.** A **canal** is a man--made waterway connecting two larger bodies of water designed to carry ships, goods, or water. The Panama Canal connects the
 * 135. A canal lock or navigation lock** is a device that lifts or lowers boats, barges or other vessels from one water level to another.
 * 136.** An **isthmus** is a relatively narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas with water on both sides.
 * 137. Weathering** is the action of breaking down of rocks. Weathering can be either a mechanical process or a chemical process. It is usually both.
 * 138. Erosion** is the movement of weathered material from one place to another. Water, wind, ice, and gravity are the driving force of erosion.
 * 139.** An **Ice Age** is any period of time during which glaciers covered a large part of the earth's surface; the most recent ice age ended about 10,000 years
 * 140.** A **glacier** is a large body of ice that moves slowly down a mountainside or from highlands towards sea level. A glacier is a slow moving, frozen river of
 * 141. Global warming** refers to the increase in the average temperature of the earth, thought to be caused by the build up of greenhouse gases. Most
 * 142. Pollute** refers to human activities that place harmful substances in the environment, leading to a dirty, impure, unhealthy, or deadly place.
 * 143. Subsistence farming** results in the growing of crops to feed one self and ones family, with a little left over for sale.
 * 144. Slash-and-burn farming** is a method of land clearing for cultivation in which the forest is first cut down and then burned to add nutrients to the soil.
 * 145. Nomadic herding** is a way of life where families move along with their herds according to the seasons and rely on their animals for food, shelter and
 * 146. Contour plowing/farming** refers to the planting of crops to the changing layout of the land, rather than in straight lines. This form of farming helps to
 * 147. Terracing** is technique used to plant crops on sloping land. It shapes the land to create level shelves of earth to hold water and soil, enabling farmers
 * 148. Irrigation** is the method of supplying water to dry land through canals, ditches, or pipes.
 * 149. Ranching** is the raising of livestock (particularly cattle).
 * 150. Natural resources** are materials that occur in nature and are essential or useful to humans, such as water, air, land, forests, fish, wildlife, topsoil, and
 * 151. Energy** refers to the ability to do work or transfer heat.
 * 152.** A **fuel** is any material, like wood, coal, oil, or gas that is burned to supply heat or energy.
 * 153. Fossil fuels** are fuels that formed eons ago from decayed plants and animals. Oil, coal and natural gas are fossil fuels.
 * 154. Nonrenewable** refer to natural materials that, for one reason or another (scarcity, length of time required for formation, rapid depletion rate, etc.)
 * 155. Renewable** refer to resources that have the capacity to replenish themselves within a human's lifespan. Trees, wind, solar power, and hydroelectric
 * 156. Technology** refers to all the ways people use inventions and discoveries to do work and to improve their lives.
 * 157. Synthetic fuels** are man-made, rather than occurring naturally. Example: methanol is a fuel that is produced from wood or other organic materials
 * 158. Hydroelectric power** is electric energy produced by moving water. The water can be from a fast-flowing river or from behind a dam or reservoir.
 * 159. Geothermal energy** is heat energy generated within the earth. Geothermal energy is evident in geysers, hot springs, and bubbling mud pots. Natural
 * 160.** A **route** is the way or means from one place to another place (path, road, travel, direction).
 * 161. Topographic maps** use contour lines to show topography of a small area. Topographic maps are used by hikers, campers, builders, and engineers,
 * 162.** A **contour line** is a line drawn on a map that connects points with the same elevation.
 * 163.** A **landslide** is a mass of loose rock and soil that slides down a steep slope.
 * 164.** An **immigrant** is a person who moves from one country to another to live permanently.
 * 165. Migration** is the movement of people or animals from one area to another.
 * 166. Bilingual** means being able to speak two languages.
 * 167. Leaching** is the dissolving and washing away of nutrients from the soil as the results of the large amounts of precipitation in a tropical rainforest.
 * 168. Economic activities** refer to the acts of gathering, producing, distributing, or consuming foods, goods, materials, to satisfy human wants