The Language of
Landforms….
What are landforms?
• Landforms are the natural
shapes or features of land.
• When we learn about the
landscape of the earth, we
are practicing to be
topographers!
Mountain
A mountain is a
landform that is
much higher than
the land around
it. Mountains are
steeper than hills
and the top
usually forms a
peak!
Valley
A valley is a
lowland area
between higher
lands such as
mountains. Some
valleys have a river
or stream flowing
through them!
plain
A plain is
a flat
area
with few
trees.
canyon
A canyon is
a deep
valley or
gorge with
very steep
sides.
pLATEAu
A plateau is a
flat area
higher than
the land
around it. This
looks like a
mountain with
no peak!
mESa
A butte is an
isolated hill
with a flat top.
It is similar to
a mesa but
more narrow.
A is a flat-topped
hill with steep
sides. ‘Mesa’ is a
Spanish word that
means ‘table’ in
English!
buTTe
desert
A desert is dry,
barren, and the
ground is made
mostly of sand.
Very few
species of
plants and
animals can
survive.
island
A peninsula is a
body of land that is
connected to a
mainland and
surrounded by
water on three
sides.
An island is
land that is
completely
surrounded
by water.
peninsula
ocean and sea
Oceans are made of
salt water and
cover the majority
of Earth’s surface.
An ocean can also
be called a sea.
coast
A coast is
the area
where the
ocean
touches
the land.
bay
A bay is formed when
the coast of an ocean curves
into the land. The water in a
bay is often calm since the
surrounding land blocks wind
from forming large waves.
gulf
A gulf is a large bay
that connects to an
ocean. Look for the
Gulf of Mexico on a
U.S. map!
river
A river is a large
body of moving water
that begins at a source
and flows to the end,
which is called a mouth.
canal
Canals are man-made
pathways of water that
allow boats and ships to
travel from one body of
water to another, usually on
a river.
strait
A strait is a naturally
occuring passage way
between two bodies of
water that is wide and deep
enough for a water vessel to
travel through.
isthmus
An isthmus is a narrow
strip of land that
connects two larger
areas of land, usually
with water on both sides!
stream
Streams are also moving
bodies of water. Streams
begin at a source and usually
flow into a larger body of
water such as a river or lake
all of which end in a delta.
delta
• Deltas are the triangle
shaped deposit of
sediments that forms at
the mouth of a river. From a
delta, the water usually
flows into another body of