Geography 1-1c—Overview of Geographic Terms
Overview of Geographic Terms
Mathematical Geography
Physical Geography
The Earth in the Universe
The Earth in the Galaxy
The Earth in the Solar System
The Earth’s Motion
● Orbit (Year - 365 days)
○ Seasons - (Winter, Summer, Fall,
Spring)
● Axis (Day- 24 hrs)
The Earth’s Surface and Measurements:
● Form (shape)
● Dimension (size)
● Great Circles
○ Equator
○ Prime Meridian
○ Longitude Lines
● Small Circles
○ Parallels / Latitude Lines
○ Climatic Circles/Tropics
○ Polar Circles
Physical Composition of Earth (inside)
● Crust
● Mantle
● Outer Core
● Inner Core
● Time Zones
○ International Date Line
● Poles
● Globes and Maps
● Cartography and its History
The Natural Divisions of the Earth (Surface)
Atmosphere (Air)
● Climate
● Temperature
● Winds
○ Breeze
○ Trade Winds
○ Hurricane
○ Tornado
● Vapor/humidity
● Precipitation/Rain
● Air Pressure
Hydrosphere (Water)
● Oceanic Waters
○ Ocean
○ Wave
○ Current
○ Bay
○ Gulf
○ Sea
○ Strait
○ Sound
○ Harbor
○ Iceberg
○ Trench
○ Continental Shelf
○ Coral Reef
Geography 1-1c—Overview of Geographic Terms
Hydrosphere (Water) Continued:
● Continental Waters
○ River/ Stream
 Upstream
 Downstream
 Source
 Tributary
 Mouth
 Delta
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Lakes
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Fresh
Salt
Channel
Canal
Reservoir
Canal
Reservoir
Glacier
Ice Sheet
Ground Water
● Water Vegetation
● Water Animals
Lithosphere (Land)
● Land Forms (shapes)
○ Continent
○ Peninsula
○ Isthmus
○ Cape
○ Island
○ Fjord
○ Sea Coast
● Topography (elevation)
○ Mountain
○ Divide
○ Mountain Range
○ Volcano
○ Plateau
○ Hill
○ Plains
○ Valley
○ Basin
○ Canyon
○ Cliff
○ Rift
● Land Vegetation
● Land Animals
Political Geography
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Boundaries
Population
Religions
Economics
Regions
Countries and Capitals
Form of Government
Major Languages
Culture/Ethnography