Overview
This lecture covers key physical and human geography terms, including landforms, map concepts, government types, and environmental terms critical for geographic literacy.
Physical Geography: Landforms & Water Bodies
- Archipelago: A large group of islands.
- Atoll: A ring-shaped coral reef that encloses a lagoon.
- Bay: A body of water extending into land.
- Beach: A sandy or rocky land edge along water.
- Butte: An isolated hill with a flat top.
- Canyon: A deep valley with steep sides.
- Cape: A point of land jutting into water.
- Cave: A hollow area in earth with an opening.
- Channel: Waterbody connecting larger water bodies.
- Cliff: Steep rock or earth face.
- Continent: One of Earth's seven large land masses.
- Delta: Fan-shaped sediment deposit at a river mouth.
- Desert: Dry region with little rainfall.
- Dune: Hill of wind-blown sand.
- Fjord: Long, narrow sea inlet between cliffs.
- Forest: Large area covered with trees.
- Geyser: Hot water and steam spring.
- Glacier: Large moving mass of ice.
- Gulf: Large sea part enclosed by land.
- Hill: Raised land lower than a mountain.
- Iceberg: Floating ice broken from a glacier.
- Island: Land surrounded by water.
- Isthmus: Narrow land strip connecting larger areas.
- Jungle: Dense, tangled plant area.
- Lagoon: Shallow water cut off from sea.
- Lake: Inland body of water.
- Marsh/Swamp: Wet area with grasses or trees.
- Mesa: Raised flat-top area with steep sides.
- Mountain: High land with steep, pointed peak.
- Ocean/Sea: Large or partly enclosed saltwater body.
- Peninsula: Land nearly surrounded by water.
- Plain: Large flat or rolling land area.
- Plateau: High, flat land area.
- Prairie: Flat or hilly grass-covered land.
- River: Flowing water across land.
- Sound: Wide ocean inlet.
- Strait: Narrow water connecting larger bodies.
- Tundra: Cold, dry, treeless region.
- Valley: Low land between hills/mountains.
- Volcano: Earth opening emitting lava, ash, gases.
- Waterfall: Water falling from a high place.
Human Geography & Map Skills
- Cartography: Science of mapmaking.
- Culture: Shared beliefs, customs, traditions.
- Region: Area with unique traits or features.
- Formal/Functional Region: Defined by shared or organized features.
- Cultural Landscape: Relationship of social and physical geography.
- Geographic Information Science/System: Digital analysis/storage of geographic data.
- GPS (Global Positioning System): Determines location using satellites.
- Greenwich Mean Time: Time at prime meridian.
- International Date Line: Line for calendar day change.
- Latitude/Longitude: Coordinates for location.
- Location (Absolute/Relative): Specific or relative position on Earth's surface.
- Map/Map Scale: Flat earth representation and scale relationship.
- Mental Map: Personal perception of geographical space.
- Meridian/Parallel: Map arcs (longitude/latitude).
- Place: Distinct location by characteristic.
- Prime Meridian: 0° longitude.
- Site: Physical characteristics of a location.
- Thematic Map: Map showing a specific topic.
Environmental & Political Geography
- Oligarchy/Democracy: Rule by few or many.
- Glaciation: Formation and spread of glaciers.
- Geothermal Energy: Heat from within Earth.
- Hot Spring: Naturally hot water spring.
- Welfare State: Government-provided social welfare.
- Dam/Levee: Structures to control water.
- Mistral/Foehn: Strong winds influencing climate.
- Avalanche: Mass movement of snow or ice.
- Meltwater: Water from melted ice/snow.
- Karst: Landscape with caves, sinkholes, underground rivers.
- Ethnic/Ethnic Cleansing: Shared traits or forced removal of people.
- Reforestation: Planting trees to preserve resources.
- Monoculture: Single crop over large land.
- Biodiversity: Variety of life in an ecosystem.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Archipelago — group of islands
- Atoll — ring coral reef with lagoon
- Delta — river sediment deposit
- Peninsula — land almost surrounded by water
- Cartography — mapmaking science
- Latitude/Longitude — coordinates for location
- Prime Meridian — 0° longitude
- GIS — computer system for geographic data
- GPS — satellite-based location system
- Relief — elevation variation
- Oligarchy — rule by few
- Glaciation — glacier formation/spread
- Biodiversity — variety of life in ecosystem
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize definitions of landforms and physical features.
- Practice matching terms to descriptions or examples.
- Study map-related terms and concepts for upcoming quizzes.