Overview of Geographic Terms
Mathematical 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
● Time Zones
○ International Date Line
● Poles
● Globes and Maps
● Cartography and its History
Physical Geography
Physical Composition of Earth (inside)
● Crust
● Mantle
● Outer Core
● Inner Core
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
● Continental Waters
○ River/ Stream
 Upstream
 Downstream
 Source
 Tributary
 Mouth
 Delta
o
Lakes


o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Fresh
Salt
Channel
Canal
Reservoir
Canal
Reservoir
Glacier
Ice Sheet
Ground Water
● Water Vegetation
● Water Animals
© 2012 American Heritage Schools, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted for copying of the notebook pages and other online resources for use by the original purchaser’s own
immediate family. No part of this publication may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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
© 2012 American Heritage Schools, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted for copying of the notebook pages and other online resources for use by the original purchaser’s own
immediate family. No part of this publication may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.