Earth Spheres, Maps, Climate Zones and Ancient Civilizations

Earth Spheres and Surface Features

• Atmosphere: is the gaseous layer surrounding the Earth.
• Hydrosphere: is the whole set of waters existing on our planet.
• Lithosphere: is the solid outer part of Earth.
• Continents: are large landmasses surrounded by oceans and seas.
• Oceans: are great masses of salt water.
• Equator: the 0° parallel and the great circle dividing the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• Tropic of Cancer: the parallel north of the equator; it crosses parts of Africa and the Americas.
• Tropic of Capricorn: the parallel south of the equator; it crosses parts of South America and southern Africa.
• Map: is the representation of the Earth.
• Scale: maps reflect Earth's surface in a limited way according to a chosen scale.

Map Terms and Map Types

• Topographic map: provides information about land relief and forms of the terrain.
• Thematic map: gives information about one specific aspect or theme.
• Compass: establishes the cardinal directions.
• Key: indicates symbols, colors or the subject represented on the map.
• Intertropical zone: the zone situated between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, where the climate is warm.

Climate Zones and Vegetation

• Temperate climates: climates that are neither hot nor cold.
• Warm climates: climates that are generally warm but not extremely hot.
• Cold climates: climates characteristic of cold regions.
• Savanna: a type of vegetation with grasses, bushes and a few trees.
• Rain forest: dense, jungle-like forest found near the equator with high biodiversity.
• Frigid zone: polar regions, often depicted on maps with lines around them.
• Polar: areas around the North and South Poles.
• Rain forest (note): is found in areas near the equator.
• Savana (alternate spelling): are wide areas of land covered with few trees.
• Tropical: the tropical parts of the world are those areas that lie between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

Ancient Civilizations and Society

• Hierarchical society: a society divided into groups which are clearly different in status or role.

Mesopotamia: Regions and Rulers

• Assyria: the northern region of Mesopotamia.
• Akkad: a region located in the southern part of Mesopotamia.
• Sargon: a king who conquered the Sumerian cities and founded the Akkadian empire.
• Babylon: a city that achieved hegemony and founded a durable empire.

Mesopotamian Law, Trade and Religion

• The Code of Hammurabi: one of the earliest law codes we know.
• Barter: a system in which people exchanged some products for others.
• Enlil: was a god of the atmosphere and protector of humans.

Architecture and Writing

• Ziggurat: temples built as towers composed of several stages.
• Scribe: a civil servant who specialized in registering laws and in writing and commercial transactions.
• Relief: sculptural work carved or raised from a flat background, often supported by architectural elements.
• Vault: an arched structure which covers the space between two walls or several pillars.

Ancient Egypt: Regions, Pharaohs and Tombs

• Upper and Lower Egypt: Egypt was divided into regions. Upper Egypt refers to the southern part and Lower Egypt to the northern part.
• Pharaoh: Menes (often credited as the first pharaoh) united Upper and Lower Egypt; pharaohs held supreme power.
• Mummy: the Egyptians placed the sarcophagus in tombs; tombs were often in pyramids.
• Hypogea: later on, other types of tombs called hypogea were built; these were tombs excavated inside a mountain.