The study of the earth
geography

The shape and elevation of the land
topography

Imaginary lines that run east and west around the globe and measure distances north or south of the equator
parallels of latitude

Imaginary lines that run north and south around the globe, come together at the poles, and measure distances east and west of the equator
meridians

Half of spheres, as in the Northern, Southern, Eastern, or Western
hemisphere

0 degree longitude; the starting point for measuring longitude that runs through Greenwich, England, and is used for designating time
prime meridian

corresponds closely to 180 degree longitude; the imaginary line, lying opposite the prime meridian, that zig-zags through the Pacific Ocean and is used for designating time.
international date line

Points where parallels and meridians intersect
coordinates

The process which moves moisture from the oceans to the land and back to the oceans
hydrologic cycle

Changes in the lower part of the earth's atmosphere in a localized area during a short period of time
weather

Certain patterns of weather which occur over a long period of time in a particular region
climate

The release of water from the atmosphere in the form of rain snow, or ice
precipitation

Height above sea level
elevation

The process whereby plants absorb water through their roots and transpire this moisture through their leaves into the atmosphere
evapotranspiration

Seasonal winds which bring rain in summer and dry weather in winter
monsoon

The way of life characteristic of a people
culture

A systemantic study of a nation's population
census

The art of making maps
cartogrpahy

A scale mode of the earth that shows the actual shapes, sizes, and locations of landmasses and bodies of water
globe

A flat representation of the earth or a portion of the earth
map

Numeral facts and figures compiled from data
statistics

Approximate, educated guesses based on observations
estimates

Pictorial illustrations of numerical data
charts and graphs

The landforms and bodies of water north of the equator
Northern Hemisphere

The landforms and bodies of water south of the equator
Southern Hemisphere

The landforms and bodies of water east of the prime meridian
Eastern Hemisphere

The landforms and bodies of water west of the prime meridian
Western Hemisphere

An early oceanographer who charted the ocean's currents and physical geography
Matthew Maury

A scientist who introduced a system of climatic classification
Wladimir Koppen

Name the seven continents
Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Australia,

Name the four oceans
Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic

Name the six climate types and their subdivisions.
polar (icecap, tundra)
 continental (subpolar, humid continental)
mild (marine west coast, humid subtropics, mediterranean)
tropical (savanna, rain forest)
dry (desert, steppe)
highland
STUDY p. 16 IN YOUR BOOK

List renewable resources
water, soil, air, trees, waterpower, geothermal energy, wind, solar energy

List nonrenewable resources
iron, bauxite ore, coal, oil, natural gas, uranium

Name four important influences on culture.
religion, language, government, and economic systems

What is the main difference between an agrarian economy and an industrial economy?
An agrarian economy derives most of its income from agriculture, while an industrial economy depends on the production of manufactured goods.

What are two tools geographers use to collect data?
direct observation and aerial photographs

Map projection that is most accurate at the equator and most distorted at the poles; conformal map; distorts distance and size
Mercator projection

Map projection that is an equal area map; shows the correct size of landmasses in relation to other landmasses but distorts shape
Mollweide projection

The map projection where the lines of latitude and longitude almost intersect at right angles except near the edges; shows areas and distances with a high degree of accuracy
Robinson projection

Map projection that shows true compass directions; longitude lines are straight and latitude lines are circles; difficult to show direction and distorts shape and size more toward the opposite pole
Azimuthal projection

List four types of map symbols.
title, scale, directional indicator, legend (key)

Highland with broad, flat top and canyons cutting through it
plateau

At least 2,000 feet tall, with a peak and steep, sloping sides
mountain

Triangular-shaped landform where a river fans out into smaller streams before it reaches the ocean
delta

500 to 2,000 feet tall, rounded top, usually no steep slopes
hill

Narrow strip of land
isthumus

Body surrounded by land
lake

Landform completely surrounded by water
island

Large artifiical lake
reservoir

Flat, rolling land with few changes in elevation
plain

Pool of underground water
oasis

Extension of the main body of land with water on three sides
peninsula

An extension of the ocean partly enclosed by land
sea or gulf

How much water covers the earth's surface?
70%

The idea that the earth and mankind developed by "accident" and evolved toward a better state over billions and billions of years.
evolution

Large bodies of land surrounded or nearly surrounded by water.
continents

The largest and deepest ocean
Pacific

The deepest point on earth located beneath the Pacific in a place called Challenger Deep
Mariana Trench

The warmest ocean
Indian

The smallest and most shallow ocean.
Arctic

Second largest ocean.
Atlantic

0 degree latitude; starting point for measuring latitude
equator

23 degree and 27 minutes north latitude
Tropic of Cancer

23 degrees and 27 minutes south latitude
Tropic of Capricorn

66 degrees and 33 minutes north latitude
Arctic Circle

66 degrees and 33 minutes south latitude
Antarctic Circle

World's largest freshwater lake
Lake Superior

Climate zone that is warm all year and extends from the tropic of Cancer to the tropic of Capricorn and encompasses the equator.
Torrid (or Tropical) Zone

Climate zones that are cooler that the Torrid Zone, and have wide ranges of temperatures, and experience seasons.
Temperate Zones

The climate zone that contains the coldest climates on earth, with cool to subzero temperatures all year.
Frigid (or Polar) Zones

A warm current of water flowing northeasterly from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe, having a warming effect on Western Europe
the Gulf Stream

Great rotating storms or cyclones
hurricanes

Form of government ruled by God or through chosen representatives
Theocracy

A system of government headed by one ruler, such as a king or a queen.
monarchy

A system of government in which the ruler, usually a military leader, acquires power by some means other than inheritance and rules with absolute authority.
dictatorship

A system of government in which the people rule directly by popular vote
direct democracy

A system of government in which the people rule through elected representatives
democratic republic

A system of republican government in which people and their representative assembly are guided by the rule of the law ( a constitution)
constitutional republic

Economic system which allows individuals the freedom to follow their economic pursuits as they see fit
free enterprise capitalism

An economic system in which the government owns, or at least controls, a nation's resources and industries
socialism

Type of government ruled by one such as a monarchy or dictatorship
autocracy

Type of government ruled by the people such a direct democracy, democratic republic, and constitutional republic
democracy