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