Understanding Earth's Geography: Key Terms and Definitions
Classified in Geology
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Thematic map:
A geographic map that displays the spatial pattern of a theme or series of attributes.
Physical map:
It focuses on the geography of the area.
Equator:
A line equidistant from the poles that divides the Earth into southern and northern hemispheres.
Meridian:
A line of constant longitude passing through the Earth and the poles.
Parallel:
An imaginary line extending through the Earth parallel to the equator.
Tropic:
Regions of the Earth that lie roughly in the middle of the globe.
Latitude:
Geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface.
Longitude:
Geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface.
Geographical Coordinates:
Quantities of latitude and longitude which define the position of a point on the Earth.
Peninsula:
Area of land almost surrounded by water.
Isthmus:
Narrow strip of land surrounded by water on both sides.
Island:
Piece of land completely surrounded by water.
Delta:
Flat plain of alluvial deposit between diverging branches of the mouth of a river.
Cape:
Extension of land jutting out into water.
Inlet:
Narrow passage between islands.
Fjord:
A long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by glacial erosion.
Plateau:
Area having a relatively level surface considerably raised above adjoining land on at least one side.
Massif:
Compact portion of a mountain range.
Mountain range:
A series of mountains in a line.
River basin:
Portion of land drained by a river.
Glacier:
A large, perennial accumulation of crystalline ice, snow, meltwater, and debris, formed originally from compacted snow in a region of persistent cold.
Isotherm:
A curve on which every point represents the same temperature.
Climate zones:
Areas with distinct climates.
Tectonic plates:
Pieces of Earth's crust and uppermost mantle, together referred to as the lithosphere.
Rift Valley:
Any elongated trough formed by the subsidence of a segment of the Earth’s crust.
Climate:
Weather conditions.
Aridity:
Deficiency of moisture.
Tundra:
Level or rolling treeless plain that is characteristic of arctic and subarctic regions.
Taiga:
A moist subarctic forest dominated by conifers.
Jungle:
Tangled mass of tropical vegetation.
Tropical forest:
Tropical woodland.
Savannah:
Grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees.
Mixed forest:
Forest with two or more predominant kinds of trees.
Deciduous forest:
Biome dominated by deciduous trees.
Steppe:
Large area of flat unforested grassland in south-eastern Europe.
Climograph:
Graphical representation of basic climatic parameters.
Map:
Representation of an area or landscape and its features.