Chapter 1 - Exploring the United States Flashcards
A half of Earth.
hemisphere
An imaginary line that divides Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere.
equator
An imaginary line that is often used to divide Earth into the Western Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere.
prime meridian
One of the seven largest land areas on Earth.
continent
Where a place is in relation to one or more other places on Earth.
relative location
A line that shows the end of a place.
border
A part of an ocean or sea extending into the land.
gulf
The exact position of a place on Earth, using lines of latitude and longitude.
absolute location
A set of lines that run east and west drawn on maps and globes. They are measured in degrees north and south from the equator.
lines of latitude
A set of lines that runs north and south, from the North Pole to the South Pole, drawn on maps and globes. They are measured in degrees east and west from the prime meridian.
lines of longitude
One of the shapes that makes up Earth’s surface, such as mountains, hills, valleys, or plains.
landform
The level of the surface of the ocean.
sea level
An area of high, flat land.
plateau
The place where a river begins.
source
A river or stream that flows into a larger river.
tributary
The place where a river empties into a larger body of water.
mouth
Low, bowl-shaped land with higher ground all around it.
basin
A deep, narrow valley with steep sides.
canyon
The height of the land above sea level.
elevation
The differences in the heights of land shown in maps.
relief
The measurement of hot and cold.
temperature
Water that falls to Earth’s surface as rain, sleet, hail, or snow.
precipitation
The kind of weather a place has most often, year after year.
climate
The amount of moisture in the air.
humidity
A graph that uses a line to show changes over time.
line graph
Something found in nature, such as water, soil, or minerals, that people can use to meet their needs.
natural resource
Something that can be made again by nature or people.
renewable
Water that sinks beneath Earth’s surface when it rains or snows.
groundwater
All the businesses that make one kind of product or provide one kind of service.
industry
A natural substance found in rocks.
mineral
Something that cannot be made again by nature or by people.
nonrenewable
Surroundings in which people, plants, and animals live.
environment
The protection and wise use of natural resources.
conservation
