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.

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