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ISS > Geo Basics > Flashcards

Geo Basics Flashcards

1
Q

location

A

a specific place on the Earth

answers “where is it?”

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2
Q

grid system

A

pattern formed as the lines of latitude and longitude cross one another

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3
Q

Equator

A

0o latitude

imaginary line that runs around the earth halfway b/w the North & South Poles

used as the starting pt to measure degrees of north & sth latitudes

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4
Q

Poles

A

latitudes 90N and 90S

6 months, 1 Pole tilted toward sun & receives continuous sunlight, while the other receives little-no sunlight

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5
Q

meridian

A

one of many lines on the global grid running from the Nrth Pole 2 the Sth Ple, used to msure degrees of longitude

360o total

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6
Q

Prime Meridian

A

line of the global grid running from the North Pole to the South Pole at Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England; starting pt for measuring degrees of east/west long

0o longitude

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7
Q

Global Grid

A

every place has a global address (abstract location)

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8
Q

more preise than degrees

A

60 units called minutes

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9
Q

globe

A

a scale model of the earth

not as detailed

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10
Q

map

A

a symbolic representiaon of all or part of the planet on a flat piece of paper

detailed

purpose of a map usually dictates which projection is used

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11
Q

cartographers

A

mapmakers

use math formulas to transfer info from the 3D globe to a 2D map

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12
Q

distortion

A

when curves of a globe become straight lines on a map

distortion of size, shape, distance, or area occurs

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13
Q

planar/azimuthal projection

A

often used for maps of the Poles

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14
Q

great circle routes

A

traveling along a great circle

most efficient path for global travel

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15
Q

great circle

A

an imaginary line that follows the curve of the Earth

important difference between globes and maps ⇒ cuz globes r round, accurately shows great circle route but on map, looks longer

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16
Q

cylindrical projection

A

based on the projection of the globe onto a cylinder.

most accurate near Equator

shapes & distances distorted near Poles

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17
Q

conic projection

A

placing cone over part of globe

best for showing limited east-west areas that r not too far from the Equator

can indicate distances & directions fairly accurately

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18
Q

Portoguese

A

1400’s recorded longitude & latitude for sea travel using muslim technology

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19
Q

dead reckoning

A

the process of calculating one’s position, esp. at sea, by estimating the direction and distance traveled rather than by using landmarks, astronomical observations, or electronic navigation methods.

the process of calculating one’s current position by using a previously determined position, or fix, and advancing that position based upon known or estimated speeds over elapsed time, and course.

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20
Q

why is the Prime Meridian in England?

A

they held a conference & decidied it. were in power then.

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21
Q

International Date Line

A

day begins there

countries can choose what time zone they’re in

180o longitude (not east or west)

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22
Q

how many hemispheres? quadrants? names?

A

4 hemispheres (N, S, E, W)

4 quadrants (NE, SE, SW, NW)

we r in NW

Africa = all 4 (except not in SW)

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23
Q

parallel

A

1 of many lines on the global grid tht circles the earth nrth/sth of the Equator; used 2 measure degrees of lat

180o total

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24
Q

coordinates

A

statistical

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25
Q

absolute location

A

exact location of a place on the earth described by global coordinates

the exact position of a place on the earth’s surface

Ex: Mt. McKinley is located at 63o N, 151o W

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26
Q

basin

A

area of land drained by a given river and its branches

area of land surrounded by lands of higher elevations

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27
Q

bay

A

part of a large body of water that extends into a shoreline, generally smaller than a gulf

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28
Q

hydrosphere

A

the watery areas of the earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water

abt 70% of our planet’s surface is water

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29
Q

lithosphere

A

surface land areas of the earth’s crust, including continents and ocean basins

abt 30% of the earth’s surface is land

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30
Q

atmosphere

A

a layer of gases that surrounds the earth

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31
Q

mantle

A

thick middle layer of the earth’s interior structure, consisting of hot, dense rock

silicon, aluminium, iron, chromium, nickel, cobalt, magnesium, oxygen, and other elements

continually rises, cools, sinks, warms up, & rises again, releasing 80% of the heat generated from the earth’s interior

pressure from core = so hot tht it causes the matnle to circulate & causes crust to relieve pressure by breaking up plates (or seismic farting)

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32
Q

magma

A

molten rock that is pushed up from the earth’s mantle

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33
Q

subduction

A

a process by which mountains & faults can form as sea plates (usually the larger of the plates) dive beneath continental plates; sea plate becomes molten material & as magma, bursts thru the crust to form volcanic mountains

really big pressure underneath from core

Andes & Rockies

most violent

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34
Q

accretion

A

a slow process in which a sea plate slides under a continental plate, creating debris that can cause continents to grow outward

grinding, pressing (less than subduction) from mantle surges

levels off seamounts and piles up the resulting debris in trenches

faults, ripple ranges, trenches

San Andreas Falt, western California; ripple ranges in Rockies

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35
Q

spreading

A

a process by which new land is created when sea plates pull apart and magma wells up between the plates

undersea volcanic mountains or ridges(North Atlantic Ridge (Marianas Trench)), rifts, trenches

occurs down the middle of the Atlantic Ocean’s floor, pushing Europe & North America away from each other

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36
Q

fold

A

a bend in layers of rock, sometimes caused by plate movement

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37
Q

fault

A

a crack or break in the earth’s crust

occurs when the folded land can’t be bent any further

usually not exposed

San Andreas Fault in California

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38
Q

landform

A

Any geological feature, such as a mountain or valley.

natural features of the earth’s surface

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39
Q

topography

A

a detailed graphic representation of the surface features of a place or object.

study of landforms & diff’s b/w elevation

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40
Q

weathering

A

the process that breaks down rocks on the earth’s surface into smaller pieces

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41
Q

erosion

A

wearing away of the earth’s surface by wind, flowing water, or glaciers

constant movement of wind, water, & ice that changes the shape of topography

needs time & pressure

wind & water can work together to create caves

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42
Q

loess

A

fine, yellowish-brown topsoil made up of particles of silt and clay, usually carried by the wind

China’s Yellow River basin

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43
Q

moraine

A

piles of rocky debris left by melting glaciers

some form long ridges of land, others form dams that create glacial lakes

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44
Q

water cycle

A

regular movement of water from ocean to air to ground and back to the ocean

also groundwater (absorption, aquifers)

can be kept from water cycle by humans, even if we return it we change it elementally

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45
Q

evaporation

A

process of converting into vapor

from ocean/lakes/streams

caused by sun’s heat

warm = more water vapor

cold = less water vapor

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46
Q

condensation

A

the process of excess water vapor changing into liquid water when warm air cools

clouds

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47
Q

precipitation

A

moisture that falls to the earth as rain, sleet, hail, or snow

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48
Q

desalination

A

the removal of salt from seawater to make it usable for drinking and farming

expensive

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49
Q

groundwater

A

water within the earth that supplies wells and springs

freshwater which lies beneath the earth’s surface

comes from rain & melted snow tht filter thru the soil & from water that seeps into the ground from lakes & rivers

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50
Q

aquifer

A

underground water-bearing layers of porous rock, sand, or gravel

can be used for wells

freshwater

formed by gravity & path of least resistence; and time & pressure

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51
Q

terrestrial

A

Of, relating to, or composed of land.

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52
Q

tectonic plate

A

the two sub-layers of the earth’s crust (lithosphere) that move, float, and sometimes fracture and whose interaction causes continental drift, earthquakes, volcanoes, mountains, and oceanic trenches

drift as a reaction to mantle movement

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53
Q

plate tectonics

A

a theory of global tectonics in which the lithosphere is divided into a number of crustal plates, each of which moves on the plastic asthenosphere more or less independently to collide with, slide under, or move past adjacent plates

caused by the heat rising from the earth’s core which create slow-moving currents within the mantle

entire menu of subterranean activity (earthquakes, subduction, etc.)

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54
Q

meteorology

A

the study of weather and weather forecasting

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55
Q

cartography

A

the science of mapmaking

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56
Q

place

A

a particular space with physical and human meaning

answers “What is it like there?”

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57
Q

regions

A

places united by specific characteristics

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58
Q

movement

A

ppl, goods, & ideas travel to other places & create diffusion

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59
Q

ecosystem

A

the complex community of interdepent living things in a given environment

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60
Q

GIS

A

geographic information systems

computer tools for processing and organizing details and satellite images with other pieces of information

used to cross-reference diff themes of data

most common = GPS

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61
Q

formal region

A

a region defined by a common characteristic, such as production of a product

organized by identifiable commonalities

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62
Q

functional region

A

a central point and the surrounding territory linked to it

organized by central & connected surounding areas

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63
Q

perceptual region

A

a region defined by images, feelings, & ideas rather than by objective data

Delaware = 1st State, Diamond State, Blue Hen State, Small Wonder

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64
Q

invasive species

A

An alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health

‘Alien species’ means, with respect to a particular ecosystem, any species that is not native to that ecosystem.

only a few likely to survive

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65
Q

continental drift

A

the theory that the continents were once joined and then slowly drifted apart

Pangea broke apart into smaller continents which in turn drifted and, in some places, recombined

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66
Q

continental shelf

A

the part of a continent that extends underwater

narrow in some places & wide in others

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67
Q

continental slope

A

a steep slope separating a continental shelf and a deep ocean basin.

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68
Q

relative location

A

location in relation to other places

Ex: “in southern Alaska”

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69
Q

human-environment interaction

A

the study of the interrelationship between people and their physical environment

where Delaware Bay meets Christina River - looks diff than it used to; the bridge made it work differently cuz ppl on both sides could access each side

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70
Q

globe

A

most accurate map of Earth

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71
Q

properties of distortion

A

size

shape

distance

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72
Q

projection

A

drawing of Earth on a flat surface

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73
Q

Winkel Tripel/Geographic Projection

A

good balance between size and shape of land areas as shown on map

even polar areas have little distortion of size and shape

adapted by National Geographic Society in 1998

most general reference world maps, classrooms

certainly most accurate flat surface map for all 3 categories of distortion

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74
Q

Robinson Projection

A

popular classroom map

slightly more distorted than Winkel Tripel

distance slightly distorted

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75
Q

Goode’s Interrupted Equal-Area Projection

A

“orange peel wrap”

perfect size & shape

distance extremely distorted

used for comparing continental sizes and shapes (effects of erosion, how they were once connected, etc.)

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76
Q

Mercator Projection

A

poles stretched 360o - distorts the Poles the most

shape, distance quite true in Tropics

useful for sea travel

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77
Q

settling

A

when houses/buildings sink into the land they’re on

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78
Q

difference between lava and magma

A

lava = exposed

magma = underground

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79
Q

which plates used to be part of different plates?

A

Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Nazca, Carribean Plates

believed to be created by the same collisions that formed the Andes, etc.

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80
Q

ripple ranges

A

caused by accretion, but not as big as subduction mountains

Sierras, Cascades

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81
Q

3 largest subduction scars

A

Himalayas, Andes, Rockies

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82
Q

Pre-Pangea

A

possible cuz scars from before Pangea still exist (Appalachians, Ural Mountains, Balkans

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83
Q

why would ppl live in California even though they know lots of earthquakes happen there?

A

opportunity benefit > opp cost

Naples - on top of Pompeii. ash makes soil very fertile (wine)

Florida - sinkholes increasing, but good for old people

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84
Q

sinkhole

A

aggressiv settling

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85
Q

Fcanal

A

man-made river canceling 2 bodies of water

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86
Q

light maps

A

tell population density, technology, and wealth of countries

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87
Q

megalopolis

A

interconnected series of metropolitan cities

Boswash

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88
Q

supercluster

A

a cluster of galaxies which themselves occur as clusters.

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89
Q

plotting

A

by estimation or placement

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90
Q

boundary lines

A

highlight the borders between different countries, states, or countries

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91
Q

key

A

a list that explains what the symbols on a map stand for

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92
Q

compass rose

A

shows cardinal directions

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93
Q

cardinal directions

A

north, south, east, and west

usually indicated with arrows or points of a star

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94
Q

intermediate directions

A

northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest

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95
Q

scale

A

shows the relationship between map measurements and actual distances

a consistent, proportional relationship between the measurement shown on the map and the measurment of the earth’s surface

varies with the size of the area shown

the farther away, the smaller the scale

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96
Q

small-scale maps

A

large area but little detail

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97
Q

elarge-scale maps

A

small area on the earth’s surface with a great amount of detail

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98
Q

general-purpose maps

A

maps that show a wide range of information about an area

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99
Q

physical maps

A

show the location and topography of the earth’s physical features

use colors or patterns to indicate relief

some have conotour lines

show mountains, rivers, streams, etc.

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100
Q

relief

A

changes in elevation over a given area of land

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101
Q

contour lines

A

lines that connect all points of land of equal elevation

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102
Q

political map

A

shows the boundaries between countries

smaller internal divisions (states/counties) can also be indicated by diff symbols

often show human-made features (capitals, cities, roads, railroads)

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103
Q

special-purpose map

A

maps that emphasize a single idea or a particular kind of info abt an area

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104
Q

economic activity map

A

used to study the distribution of natural resources

used by governments and industry leaders to monitor the economic activites of countries and regions

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105
Q

graph

A

visual presentation of info

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106
Q

line graph

A

shows changes in 2 variables, or changing sets of circumstances, over periods of time

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107
Q

bar graph

A

shows differences by comparison

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108
Q

circle graph/pie chart

A

shows the relationship of parts to a whole

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109
Q

cross referencing

A

basically using a grid system (like in charts/tables)

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110
Q

chart/table

A

data is arranged in columns and rows

display facts in an organized manner and make comparison easy

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111
Q

diagram

A

a drawing that shows what something is or how something is done

dynamic

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112
Q

largest plate

A

Pacific Plate

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113
Q

plates pulling away from the north/south american plates

A

Eurasian, African

creating North Atlantic Ridge?

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114
Q

physical weathering

A

occurs when large masses of rock r physically broken down into smaller pieces

water seeps into cracks in a rock & freezes, expands, rock splits

erosion

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115
Q

chemical weathering

A

changes the chemical makeup of rocks, transforming their minerals/combining them w/ new elements

water + CO2 easily dissolves certain rocks(limestone)

caves

2 chem reactions encounter each other

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116
Q

weather

A

condition of the atmosphere in 1 place during a limited period of time

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117
Q

Earth

A

misshapen orb wider at its belt

tilts, revolutions, rotations

rotates east

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118
Q

wobbling

A

caused by intense pressure from Sun and core

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119
Q

geographers

A

specialists who describe the earth’s physical and human features and the interactions of people, places, and environments

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120
Q

spacial relations

A

refer to the links that places and people have to one another because of their locations

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121
Q

what geographers consider

A

the world in spatial terms (location)

places and regions

physical systems

human systems

environment and society

the uses of geography

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122
Q

physical systems

A

how certain natural phenomena, such as volcanoes, hurricanes, and floods, shape the earth’s surface

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123
Q

places and regions

A

understand and explain how places are similar to and different from one another

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124
Q

human systems

A

how people shape the world - how they settle the earth, form societies, and create permanent features

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125
Q

environment and society

A

the ways people use their environment, how and why they have changed it, and what consequences result from these changes

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126
Q

uses of geography

A

provide insight into how physical features and living things developed in the past

can also interpret present-day trends to plan for future needs

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127
Q

physical geography

A

focuses on the study of the earth’s physical features

looks at climate, land, water, plants, and animal life in terms of their relationships to one another and to humans

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128
Q

human/cultural geography

A

the study of human activites and their relationship to the cultural and physical environments

concentrates on political, economic, and cultural factors, such as population density, urban development, economic production, and ethnicity

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129
Q

historical geography

A

the study of places and human activites over time and the various geographic factors that have shaped them

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130
Q

direct observation

A

visit region to gather specific info abt region & its geo features

employ remote sensing, using aerial photographs & satellite images

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131
Q

mapping method

A

taking complicated pieces of info abt an area and presenting them in a more understandable form on a map

allow a visual comparison between places and regions

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132
Q

interviewing

A

find out how people think/feel abt certain places

examine the ways in which ppl’s beliefs & attitudes have led to changes in the physical environment

talk to a carefully chosen sample whose answers represent the whole group

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133
Q

statistics

A

some info used is numerical

use comp’s to organize this info & present it in clear, understandable ways

analyze the data to find patterns and trends

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134
Q

longest and shortest days of the year

A

solstices

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135
Q

relationship b/w moon and earth

A

the moon has its own gravitational field ⇒ the interaction between the two fields causes fluctuation in our ocean tides

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136
Q

tropics

A

47o

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137
Q

doldrums/horse latitudes

A

at Equator, global winds diverted north & south, leaving narrow, generally windless band called doldrums

2 other narrow bands just north of Tropic of Cancer & just south of Tropic of Capricorn

named horse lats cuz sailors sometimes threw horses off ships to get out

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138
Q

Nor’easter

A

a storm or wind blowing from the northeast, esp. in New England.

huge storm of rain/snow when

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139
Q

how are winds named?

A

named for direction they come from & from early days of sailing

trade winds = ability to move trading ships thru the region

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140
Q

gulf stream

A

keeps us warm in winter & then

extension = North Atlantic Drift, warm water, flows near western Europe & makes warmer

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141
Q

which current moves along the northwestern coast of africa?

A

canary & guinea

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142
Q

technology

A

depend on advanced technological tools, such as satellites & computers

GIS

cartographers rely on computers and comp software. each type of data on a map is kept as a separate “layer” in the map’s digital files

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143
Q

satellites

A

orbiting the earth

carry remote sensors, high-tech cameras, and radar tht gather data & images related to the earth’s environment, weather, human settlement patterns, and vegetation

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144
Q

history & government

A

geographers use history to help them understand what places looked like in the past

study political science to help them see how ppl in diff places r governed. look @ how political boundaries have formed & changed. interested in how the natural envron has influenced political decisions & how gov’ts change natural environ’s.

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145
Q

culture

A

human geographers use the tools of sociology & anthropology to understand the culture of societies thruout the world.

study the relationships between the phys environ & social structures.

the way of life of a group of ppl who share similar beliefs & customs

also seek 2 understand how the activities of diff groups affect their physical environ’s & how the environ affects culture groups differently

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146
Q

economics

A

geographers use economics 2 help them understand how the locations of resources affect the way ppl make, transport, & use goods, & how & where services r provided

interested in how locations r chosen 4 various econ activities (i.e. farming, mining, manufacturing, & seeling)

interdependence of ppl’s econ activities thruout the world

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147
Q

physical geographer

A

studies Earth’s features & the geographic forces shaping them

forecasting weather, tracing causes & effects of pollution, conserving wilderness areas

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148
Q

human geographer

A

analyzes human aspects of culture - population, language, ethnicity, religion, government

developing cultural policies for international organization, such as the United Nations

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149
Q

economic geographer

A

examines human economic activities and their relationship to the environment

urban planning, focusing on the location of industries or transportation routes

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150
Q

regional geographer

A

studies geographic features of a particular place or region

assisting government and business in making decisions related to a region

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151
Q

environmental specialist

A

focuses on the two-way interaction b/w humans & the phys environ

advising gov’t & business on ways of protecting the environment

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152
Q

geographic educator

A

teaches abt geography

teaching geography at all educational levels; serving as consultant to business & government

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153
Q

Sun

A

a star

abt 109x wider than Earth, 93 million miles away

enormous mass creates a strong pull of gravity

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154
Q

star

A

ball of burning gases

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155
Q

planets

A

My Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nine Planets

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

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156
Q

terrestrial planets

A

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars

have solid, rocky crusts

warmer, smaller

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157
Q

gas giant planets

A

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

colder, much more gaseous & less dense than the terrestrial planets, even tho they’re larger in diameter

each is itself like a miniature solar system w/ orbiting moons & thin, encircling rings

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158
Q

asteroids

A

small, irregularly shaped, planetlike objects

found mainly in asteroid belt

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159
Q

asteroid belt

A

region b/w orbits of Mars & Jupiter

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160
Q

comets

A

made of icy dust particles & frozen gases

look like bright balls w/ long, feathery tails

orbits inclined @ every possible angle 2 the earth’s orbit

may approahc from any direction

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161
Q

meteoroids

A

pieces of space debris - chunks of rock & iron

when occasionaly enter Earth’s gravitational field, friction usuall burns them up before they reach the earth’s ruface

those tht collide w/ Earth = meteorites

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162
Q

highest point on Earth

A

Mount Everest, South Asia

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163
Q

lowest dry land point

A

Dead Sea, Southwest Asia

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164
Q

deepest known depression

A

Mariana Trench, under Pacific Ocean southwest of Guam

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165
Q

inner core

A

super-hot but solid

abt 4,000 mi below surface of Earth

iron & nickel under enormous pressure

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166
Q

outer core

A

liquid

abt 1,400 miles thick & abt 1,800 miles below surface

band of melted iron & nickel

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167
Q

crust

A

rocky shell forming the earth’s surface

relatively thin layer, ranges from abt 2 miles-75 miles thick

broken into 12+ plates

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168
Q

plates

A

great slabs of rock that float on a partially melted layer in the upper mantle

carry the earth’s oceans & continents

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169
Q

Pangea

A

a gigantic supercontinent abt 500 million years ago

all of the continents together

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170
Q

seamounts

A

underwater mountains w/ steep sides & sharp peaks

171
Q

converge

A

New land also created this way where 2 sea plates converge

one plate moves under the other, forming an island chain @ the boundary

172
Q

earthquake

A

sudden, violent movements of plates along a fault line

often occur where diff plates meet 1 another. tension builds along fault lines & strain eventually snaps & shifts the rocks.

173
Q

Ring of Fire

A

a zone of earthquake & volcanic activity surrounding the Pacific Ocean

marks boundary where the plates that cradle the Pacific meet the plates that hold the continents surrounding the Pacific

174
Q

volcanoes

A

mountains formed by lava/by magma that breaks thru the earth’s crust

often rise along plate boundaries where 1 plate plunges beneath another; in such a process the rocky plate melts as it dives down into mantle; if the molten rock = too thick, its flow is blocked & pressure; cloud of ash & gas may then spew, creating a funnel thru which the magma rushes to the surface; lava may eventually form a large volcanic cone topped by a crater

also arise in areas away from plate boundaries; some areas deep in earth r hotter than other, & magma often blasts thru the surface as volcanoes; as a moving plate passes over these hot spots, molten rock flowing out of the surface may create volcanic island chains; Ex: Hawaiian Islands in Pacific Ocean

175
Q

hot springs/geysers

A

at various hot spots, molten rock may heat underground water, causing hot springs/geysers

176
Q

wind erosion

A

movement of dust, sand, & soil from 1 place to another

plants help protect but in dry places where ppl have cut down trees & plants, winds pick up large amounts of soil and blow it away; Great Plains in central US during 1930s -> dust storms (droughts - deserts)

benefits: dust carried often forms large deposits of mineral-rich soil

177
Q

glacial erosion

A

great weight of glaciers causes them to move slowly downhill/spread outward

pick up rocks & soil in their paths

change the landscape, destroying forests, carving out valleys, altering the courses of rivers, wearing down mountaintops, long ridges of land, dams, glacial lakes, morains

178
Q

glaciers

A

large bodies of ice tht slowly move across the earth’s surface

form over long period of time as layers of snow press together & turn to ice

when cooling trend, glaciers carry debris elsewhere; when warming trend, ice recedes but debris stays

179
Q

sheet glaciers

A

flat, broad sheets of ice

cover most of Greenland & all of Antarctica

advance a few ft each winter & recede during summer

large blocks often break off & become icebergs

180
Q

mountain glaciers

A

more common

located in high mtn valleys where the climate is cold(Rocky Mtns & Cascade Range of North America)

as thy move dwnhl, mtn glcrs gouge out round, U-shaped vlys

181
Q

water erosion

A

fast-moving water = most signficant cause of erosion

begins when sprngwtr & rnwtr flow off the land dwnhl in streams; cuts into land

resulting sediment = sandpaper, grinding away the surface of rocks along the stream’s path

over time, forms gully then a V-shaped valley & sometimes canyons

oceans erode coastal cliffs, wear rocks into sandy beaches, & move sand to othr costal areas, caves, sinkholes

182
Q

Columbian Exchange

A

the transfer of plants, animals, & diseases b/w Europe & the Americas that began w/ the voyages of Columbus

183
Q

how do invasive species arrive in new environments?

A

accidentally - as seeds/eggs/tiny insects hidden in packing materials/food/soil/ballast water; w/out natural predators can spread quickly

intentionally - insect to combat crop pest; wheat good; bad, rabbits in Australia

184
Q

oceans

A

4 major bodies of salt water tht surrounds the continents

abt 97% of earth’s water

Pacific(largest), Atlantic, Indian, Arctic

185
Q

canyon

A

deep & narrow valley w/ steep walls

186
Q

cape

A

point of land that extends into a river, lake, or ocean

187
Q

channel

A

wide strait/waterway b/w 2 landmasses tht lie close to each other; deep part of a river/other waterway

188
Q

cliff

A

steep, high wall of rock, earth, or ice

189
Q

continent

A

one of the 7 large landmasses on the earth

Asia, Africa, North Am, South Am, Antarctica, Europe, Australia

190
Q

delta

A

flat, low-lying land built up from soil carried downstream by a river & deposited @ its mouth

191
Q

divide

A

stretch of high land tht separates river systems

192
Q

downstream

A

direction in which a river/stream flows from the source to its mouth

193
Q

elevation

A

height of land above sea level

194
Q

gulf

A

part of a large body of water tht extends into a shoreline, generally larger & more deeply indented than a bay

195
Q

harbor

A

a sheltered place along a shoreline where ships can anchor safely

196
Q

highland

A

elevated land area such as a hill, mtn, or plateau

197
Q

hill

A

elevated land w/ sloping sides & rounded summit; generally smaller than a mtn

198
Q

island

A

land area, smaller than a continent, completely surrounded by water

199
Q

isthmus

A

narrow stretch of land connecting 2 larger land areas

200
Q

lake

A

a sizable inland body of water

201
Q

latitude

A

distance nrth/sth of the Equator, measured in degrees

grid lines that measure North/South

202
Q

longitude

A

dist east/west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees

grid lines that measure East/West

203
Q

lowland

A

land, usually level, at a low elevation

204
Q

mesa

A

broad, flat-topped landform w/ steep sides; smaller than a plateau

205
Q

mountain

A

land w/ steep sides tht rises sharply (1,000 ft/more) from surrounding land; gneerally larger & more rugged than a hill

206
Q

mtn peak

A

pointed top of a mtn

207
Q

mtn range

A

a series of connected mtns

208
Q

mouth

A

(of a river)

place where a stream/river flows into a larger body of water

209
Q

ocean current

A

stream of either cold/warm water tht moves in a definite direction thru an ocean

caused by earth’s rotation, changes in air pressure, & diff’s in water temp

Coriolis effect also

cold water from polar -> Equator, warming up as it moves thru Tropics

warm water away from Equator

cold ocean currents cool lands, warm ocean currents bring warmer temps

210
Q

peninsula

A

body of land jutting into a lake/ocean, surrounded on 3 sides by water

211
Q

physical feature

A

characteristics of a place occurring naturally, such as a landform, body of water, climate pattern, or resource

212
Q

plain

A

area of level land, usually @ low elevation & often covered w/ grasses

213
Q

plateau

A

area of flat/rolling land @ a high elevation, abt 300-3,000 ft(90-900 m) high

214
Q

river

A

large natural stream of water tht runs thru the land

215
Q

sea

A

large body of water completely/partly surrounded by land

Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic

216
Q

seacoast

A

land lying next to a sea/an ocean

217
Q

sound

A

broad inland body of water, often b/w a coastline & 1+ islands off the coast

218
Q

source

A

(of a river)

place where a river/stream begins, often in highlands

219
Q

strait

A

narrow stretch of water joining 2 larger bodies of water

220
Q

tributary

A

small river/stream tht flows into a large river/stream; a branch of the river

221
Q

upstream

A

direction opposite the flow of a river; toward the source of a river/stream

222
Q

valley

A

area of land usually b/w hills/mtns

223
Q

clmate

A

the weather patterns tht an area typically experiences over a long period of time

224
Q

earth’s axis

A

an imaginary line running from the nrth pole to the sth pole thru the planet’s center

tilted at an angle of abt 23.5o

cuz of this tilt, not all places receive same amount of direct sunlight @ same time

earth rotates on axis every 24 hours

225
Q

temperature

A

the measure of how hot/cold a place is

areas w/ large amounts of direct sunlight = warmer vice versa

226
Q

revolution

A

trip around the sun

takes few hours more than 365 days to complete one

227
Q

seasons

A

caused by earth’s revolution & tilt which cause changes in the angle & amount of sunlight that reach diff locations on the planet

reversed nrth & sth of the Equator

228
Q

equinox

A

around March 21 & Sep. 23rd

sun’s rays fall directly on the Equator

“equal night”

daylight & nighttime hours =

in northern hem, marks beginning of spring & fall

229
Q

Tropic of Cancer

A

23.5oN

northernmost pt on the earth to receive the direct rays of the sun

230
Q

summer solstice

A

June 21, when direct rays hit Tropic of Cancer

marks beginning of summer in nrthrn hem

longest day of sunlight

231
Q

Tropic of Capricorn

A

southernmost latitude that gets direct sunlight

23.5oS

232
Q

winter solstice

A

Dec. 22

day of shortest daylight in Nrthrn Hem

beginning of winter

233
Q

greenhouse effect

A

the capacity of certain gases in the atmosphere to trap heat, thereby warming the earth

natural phenomenon necessary for our existence but negative connotation cuz of global warming

234
Q

global warming

A

gradual warming of the earth & its atmosphere tht may be caused in part by pollution & an increase in the greenhouse effect

scientists say that the increase in temp may have disastrous effects, causing glaciers & ice caps to melt & raising the level of the world’s oceans - higher water levels could flood coastal cities & submerge smaller islands

235
Q

low latitudes/Tropics

A

b/w the Tropics of Cancer & Capricorn

portions receive the direct rays of the sun yearround

warm-hot climates

236
Q

high latitudes

A

polar areas

above & below Arctic & Antarctic Circles

237
Q

Arctic Circle

A

lat 66.5oN

continuous daylight/twilight from March 20-Sep. 23rd

238
Q

Antarctic Circle

A

66.5oS

continuous day/twilight for other 6 months of year

239
Q

mid-latitudes

A

most variable weather

b/w Tropics & Circles

in summer, warm air from Tropics

in winter, cold air from high lats

generally temperate climate w/ drmaatic seasonal weather changes

240
Q

elevation & climate

A

atmosphere thins as altitude increases; thinner air retains less heat

241
Q

wind

A

air moving across the face of the earth

occur because the sun heats up the atmos & surface unevenly; rising warm air = low pressure & falling cool air = high pressure; cool air replaces warm rising air;

distributes heat across planet

242
Q

prevailing winds

A

wind in a region tht blows in a fairly constant patter

direction determined by latitude & affected by earth’s movement

243
Q

Coriolis effect

A

cuz Earth rotates to east, globabl winds displaced clockwise in Northrn Hem & counterclkwise in Southrn Hem

cause prevailing winds to blow diagonally instead of vertically/horizontally

244
Q

trade winds

A

blow from NE toward Equator from abt 30oN & from southest toward Equator from abt 30oS

245
Q

westerlies

A

prevailing winds in the mid-lats, blowing diagonally west to east b/w abt 30oN & 60oN & b/w 30oS & 60oS

actually should be called southwesterlies

246
Q

polar easterlies

A

high lats

diagonally east west, pushing cold air toward mid lats

247
Q

El Niño

A

recurring phenomena

a periodic reversal of the pattern of ocean currents & water temps in the mid Pacific-region

frequency increased

normall low atmospheric pressure over western Pacific rises & normall high pressure over eastern Pac drops; causes trade winds to diminish/reverse direction -> reverses equatorial ocean currents, drawing warm water from near Indonesia east o Ecaudor, where it spreads along Sth Am coast

linked to global warming

called La Nina if little

248
Q

effects of El Nino

A

domino effect

precipitation increases along coasts of Nrth & Sth Am warming winters & increasing risk of floods

Hawaii = less winds & drier weather

Southeast Asia & Australia = drought & occasional massive forest fires

249
Q

landforms & climate

A

large bodies of water = slower to heat & cool than land -> water temps more uniform & constant; helps coastal lands

mtn ranges = influence precipitation & climate; rain shadow

250
Q

windward side

A

facing toward the direction from which the wind is blowing

251
Q

leeward side

A

facing away from the direction from which the wind is blowing

252
Q

rain shadow

A

dry area found on the leeward side of a mtn range

caused by wind blowing over ocean & pushed upward by mtn range; rising air cools & release moisture; winds warmer & drier as descend on leeward side

253
Q

Hurricane scale name

A

Saffir-Simpson Scale

254
Q

Tornado Scale Name

A

Fujita Tornado Scale

255
Q

Category 1 Hurricane

A

weak

75-96 mph

niminal damage to vegetation(broken branches, stems broken)

256
Q

hurricane

A

huge churning storm @ sea

A severe tropical cyclone having winds greater than 64 knots (74 miles per hour; 119 kilometers per hour), originating in the equatorial regions of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea or eastern regions of the Pacific Ocean, traveling north, northwest, or northeast from its point of origin, and usually involving heavy rains

low pressure air pockets over Iowa, Nebraska, etc. dont hold water; high pressure gulf storm air clouds join w/ it & they dance

257
Q

tornado

A

a very local whirling storm

doesn’t need water

a violent storm with winds whirling around a small area of extremely low pressure, usually characterized by a dark funnel-shaped cloud causing damage along its path

land based whirling dervish

258
Q

Category 4 Hurricane

A

very strong

131-155 mph

extreme structural damage

New Orleans

similar to F2 tornado

259
Q

Category 5 Hurricane

A

devastating

> 155 mph

catastrophic building failures possible

Philippines: 190 mph highest ever

similar to F3 tornado

260
Q

F4 Tornado

A

Devastating

207-260mph

Well-consturcted houses leveled; structures w/ weak foundations blown off some distance; cars thrown & large missiles generated

261
Q

F5 Tornado

A

Finger of God

261-318mph

Strong frame houses lifted & carried; auto-sized missiles; trees gone; steel-reinforced structures badly damaged

destroys anything it touches

262
Q

Joplin tornado

A

F5

through Oklahama, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, mostly in Joplin, Missouri

1 mi swath of destruction

10+ distance of destruction

263
Q

natural vegetation

A

the plant life that grows in an area where the natural environment is unchanged by human activity

indigenous

264
Q

climate regions

A

torpical, dry, mid-latitude, high latitude, highlands

characterized by soils & natural vegetation

265
Q

tropical climates

A

in/near the low latitudes/Tropics

tropical rain forest/tropical savanna

266
Q

tropical rain forest climates

A

average temp of 80F(27C)

warm, humid air

almost daily rain; yearly rainfall averages abt 80in

lush vegetation altho the continual rain tends to leach nutrients from the soil

abundant wildlife

267
Q

tropical rain forest vegetation

A

grows thickly in layers

canopy = tall teak/mahogany trees over shorter trees & bushes

forest floor = vines & shadeloving plants

largest forest = in Amazon River basin, South Amrca

268
Q

tropical savanna climates

A

dry winters & wet summers

high year-round temps

in dry season, ground = covered w/ clumps of coarse grass. fewer trees than rain forests.

269
Q

dry climates

A

desert, steppe

270
Q

desert climates

A

dry areas w/ sparse plant life

yearly rainfall rarely exceeds 10in

temps vary widely from day-night & season-season

occur in just under 1/3 of earth’s total land area; Sahara = over almost the entire northn 1/3 of African continent

scattered scrub & cactus, plants that tolerate low humidity & wide temp ranges

sometimes oasis

some deserts havedunes/rocky surfaces; others have fertle soil tht can yield crops thru irrigation

271
Q

oasis

A

a lush area of vegetation in an otherwise dry climate

fed by groundwater

272
Q

steppe climates

A

often bordering deserts

dry, largely treeless grasslands

yearly rainfall averages 10-21 inches

273
Q

mid-latitude climates

A

variable weather patterns & seasonal changes tht give rise to a variety of natural vegetation

marine west coast, Mediterranean, humid subtropical, humid continental

274
Q

marine west coast climate

A

along western coastlines, b/w lats 30 & 60 north&south

ocean winds bring cool summers & damp winters

abundant rainfall

coniferous & deciduous trees

mixed forests typical w/ both kinds of trees

275
Q

coniferous trees

A

Ex: evergreens

cones, needle-shaped leaves, & keep their foliage thruout the winter

276
Q

deciduous trees

A

Ex: oak, elm, maple

broad leaves tht change color & drop in autumn

277
Q

Mediterranean climate

A

lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea

mild, rainy winters & hot, sunny summers

natural vegetation = chaparral

any coastal mid-lat areas w/ similar climate & vegetation

278
Q

humid subtropical climate

A

short, mild winters

nearly year-round rain

wind patterns & high pressure related to nearby oceans keep humidity levels high

prairies & forests of evergreen & deciduous trees

279
Q

chaparral

A

thickets of woody bushes & short trees

280
Q

prairies

A

inland grasslands

called savanna in tropical areas

281
Q

humid continental climate

A

some mid-lat regions of the Northern Hemisphere

landforms influence climate more than winds, precipitation,/ocean temps do

don’t experience moderating effect of ocean winds cuz of their northerly continental locations

the farther north, the longer & more severe the snowy winters & the shorter & cooler the summers

vegetation = similar to marine west coast areas, with evergreens outnumbering deciduous trees in the northernmost areas of the region

282
Q

northerly continental

A

inland

283
Q

high latitude climates

A

freezing temps common

amount & variety of vegetation limited

284
Q

subarctic climate

A

just south of the Arctic Circle

winters bitterly cold & summers short & cool

world’s widest temp ranges

in parts, only a thin layer of surface soil thaws each summer; below is permafrost

brief summer growing seasons = needled evergreens

285
Q

permafrost

A

permanently frozen subsoil

286
Q

tundra climate

A

closer to polar regions

very cold

winter darkness & bitter cold last for half the year & sun’s indirect rays bring constant summer light but little heat

layer of thawed soil even thinner than in subarctic

trees can’t establish roots so vegetation = low bushes, very short grasses, mosses, & lichens

287
Q

ice cap regions

A

constantly covered by more than 2 miles thick snow & ice

lichens only vegetation tht can survive here

monthly temps average below freezing

288
Q

highlands climates

A

elevation can determine a climate region, regardless of lat

higher the elevation, the cooler the temps

natrual vegetation of highlands climates also varies w/ elevation

mixed forests generally @ bases of mtn ranges

higher up, meadows w/ small trees, shrubs, & wildflowers line mtnsides

289
Q

climatic changes

A

scientists study the interrelationships among ocean temps, greenhouse gases, wind patterns, & cloud cover

during last 1-2 million years, earth passed thru 4 ice ages

290
Q

ice ages

A

eras when glaciers covered large areas of the planet’s surface

291
Q

hypothesis

A

scientifc explanation

292
Q

hypothesis for ice ages

A

the earth absorbed less solar energy cuz of variations in the sun’s output of energy/cuz of variations in the earth’s orbit

dust clouds from volcanic activity reflected sunlight back into space, cooling the atmosphere & lowering surface temps

293
Q

human effects on climate

A

burning fossil fuels releases gases tht mix w/ water in the air, forming acids tht fall in rain & snow; acid rain can destroy forests; fewer forests = climatic change

exhaust released from burning fossil fuels in cars & factories is heated in the atmosphere by the sun’s ultraviolet rays, forming smog

dams & river diversions, intended to supply water to dry areas, may cause new areas to flood/dry out & affect climate over time

294
Q

smog

A

a visible chemical haze in the atmosphere that endangers ppl’s health

295
Q

accessibility

A

how easily gotten is a resource?

resources available vs. #ppl/mi2

296
Q

population distribution map

A

shows were ppl live & where the densest populations are

297
Q

superfamily/language family

A

is to language structure as a clan is to family structure

large groups of languages having similar roots

298
Q

Indo-European superfamily

A

Latin(romance) -> Spanish, French, Italian

Germanic -> Swedish, German, English

Slavic

299
Q

language

A

dynamic & ever-changing

key element in cultural development - communicates info & experiences & passes on cultural values & traditions

300
Q

manners of diffusion

A

migration/forced migration (enslaved AA’s)

gov’ts, wars, persecution, famine

positive factors: climate, economy, religious/political freedoms

trade

301
Q

Why are Germans in a precarious position?

A

surrounded by French, Danish, Polish, Russian, Serbian, etc. all around

302
Q

Why is the global population growing so rapidly?

A

birthrates have not declined as fast as death rates

303
Q

death rate

A

the number of deaths per year for every 1,000 ppl

304
Q

birthrate

A

the number of births per year for every 1,000 ppl

305
Q

demography

A

study of populations

306
Q

natural increase/growth rate

A

of a population

difference between an area’s brithrate & its death rate

307
Q

zero population growth

A

birthrate and death rate are equal

308
Q

doubling time

A

number of years it takes a population to double in size

reduced to only 25 years in some part of Asia, Africa, and Latin America; average doubling time of a wealthy industrialized country can be more than 300 years

309
Q

challenges of population growth

A

difficulty of producing enough food

shortages of water, housing, and clothing

uneven distribution of age: lots of infants & young children who can’t contribute to food production

310
Q

how has technology gotten btr for population?

A

fertilizers improve crop yields

irrigation systems help increase amount of land available for farming

new varieties of plants (wheat & rice) created to withstand severe conditions & yield more food

311
Q

negative population growth

A

the annual death rate exceeds annual birthrate

econ consequences just as serious as high growth rates

diffclt to find enough workers

often must be recruted from other countries = tensions b/w “host” pop & newcomers

312
Q

population distribution

A

pattern of human settlement

uneven

related to earth’s geography -almost everyone on Earth lives on a little less than 1/3 of it; fertile soil, water, & climate w/out harsh extremes

Europe & Asia most densely populated

313
Q

metropolitan areas

A

cities & their surrounding urbanized areas

314
Q

population density

A

average # of ppl living on a square mile/square km of land

total pop of a country / total land area (or land that can be used to support the population)

cuz average, doesn’t account for uneven population distribution w/in a country

315
Q

migration

A

movement of ppl from place to place

316
Q

urbanization

A

the resulting growth of city populations brought about by migration and the changes that come with this increase in population

317
Q

causes of urbanization

A

desire of rural ppl to find jobs & a better life in more prosperous urban areas

318
Q

refugee

A

ppl who flee to another country to escape persecution or disaster

319
Q

dialect

A

a local form of a language tht differs from the main language

diff’s: pronunciation & meaning of words

320
Q

religion

A

source of conflict

helps find sense of identity

influences daily life: practice of moral values, celebrations

shaped painting, sculpture, architecture, music & dance

Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam

321
Q

social system

A

every culture includes a social system in which the members of the society fall into various smaller groups

develops to help members of a culture work together to meet basic needs

in all cultures family = most important group

also social classes

ethnic groups

322
Q

social classes

A

groups of ppl ranked according to ancestry, wealth, education, or other criteria

323
Q

ethnic group

A

made up of ppl who share a common language, history, place of origin, or combo of these elements

324
Q

government

A

reflects uniqueness of a society’s culture

each gov’t maintains order w/in the country, provides protection from outisde dangers, & supplies other services to its ppl

organized according to levels of power (nation, regional, & local) & by type of authority (single ruler, small group of leaders, / body of citizens/their representatives)

maintains social order, provides public services, ensures national security, & supports its economic well-being

325
Q

economic activites

A

how a culture utilizes its natural resources to meet such human needs as food & shelter

the ways in which ppl produce, obtain, use, & sell goods & services

326
Q

culture region

A

division of the earth based on a variety of factors, including gov’t, social groups, economic systems, language, or religion

327
Q

cultural diffusion

A

the spread of new knowledge & skills from 1 culture to another

blend of cultures

everchanging

ur absence changes where u come from

328
Q

agricultural revolution

A

nomads gathering food ⇒ farmers producing food

329
Q

nomads

A

groups of herders who had no fixed home but who moved from place to place in search of food, water, & grazing land

330
Q

civilizations

A

highly organized city-based societies with an advanced knowledge of farming, trade, gov’t, art, & science

331
Q

culture hearths

A

centers where cultures developed & from which ideas & traditions spread outward

Middle America, Nile Valley, Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, Yellow River Valley - all from farming settlements in areas w/ mild climate & fertile land & located near major river/source of water

332
Q

specialization & civilization

A

surplus food - less need for everyone to farm; able to develop other ways of making a living; new tech, metalworking, shipbuilding(long-distance trade)

wealth from trade -> rise of cities & complex social systems

333
Q

industrial revolution

A

1700s & 1800s

some countries began to industrialize, using power-driven machines & factories to mass-produce goods

econ changes - goods could be produced quickly & cheaply

social changes - ppl left farms, cities larger; harsh working & living conditions

334
Q

information revolution

A

end of 1900s

computers made it possible to store huge amounts of info & send info all over world in an instant, linking cultures

335
Q

unitary system

A

a gov’t in which all key powers r given to the national or central gov’t

the central gov’t creates state, provincial, or other local gov’ts & gives them limited sovereignty

United Kingdom, France

336
Q

federal system

A

form of gov’t in which powers r divided b/w the national gov’t & the state or provincial gov’t

United States

337
Q

confederation

A

loose union of independent territories

US at first

338
Q

levels of gov’t

A

unitary

federal

339
Q

types of gov’t

A

autocracy

oligarchy

democracy

340
Q

autocracy

A

gov’t in which a single individual possesses the power & authority to rule

oldest & 1 of the most common forms of gov’t

most autocrats achieve/maintain their power thru inheritance/ruthless use of military/police power

several forms: absolute/totalitarian, monarchy

341
Q

absolute/totalitarian dictatorship

A

decisions of a single leader determine gov’t policies

gov’t can come to power thru revolution/election

dictator seeks to control all aspects of social & economic life

Hitler’s gov’t in Nazi Germany, Benito Mussolini’s rule in Italy, Joseph Stalin’s regime in Soviet Union

gov’t not responsible to the ppl & the ppl have no power to limit their rulers’ actions

342
Q

monarchy

A

king/queen exercises the supreme powers of gov’t

usually inherit their positions

absolute/constitutional

343
Q

absolute monarchy

A

monarchs have complete & unlimited power to rule their ppl

king of Saudi Arabia

344
Q

constitutional monarchy

A

the monarchs share governmental powers w/ elected legislatures or serve as ceremonial leaders

United Kingdom, Sweden, Japan, Jordan, & Thailand

345
Q

oligarchy

A

system of gov’t in which a small group holds power

derives power from wealth, military power, social position, sometimes religion, or combo

today gov’ts of communist countries mostly oligarchies - leaders in Communist Party & armed forces control gov’t

China

346
Q

similarity b/w dictatorships & oligarchies

A

both claim they rule for the ppl

may try to give appearance of control by ppl - elections w/ 1 candidate or control results in other ways; some type of legislature/national assembly elected by/representing the ppl tht only approve policies & decisions already made by the leaders

usually suppress all political opposition

347
Q

democracy

A

any system of gov’t in which leaders rule w/ consent of the citizens

ppl hold sovereign power

direct/representative democracies

348
Q

direct democracy

A

the citizens themselves decide on issues

exists in some place @ local levels of gov’t but no national gov’t based on direct democracy

349
Q

representative democracy

A

the ppl elect representatives w/ the responsibility & power to make laws & conduct gov’t

assembly of ppl’s representatives may be called council, legislature, congress, / parliament

may be republic

350
Q

republic

A

US, France

voters elect all major officials, who r responsible to the ppl

head of state/gov’t is usually prez elected 4 a specific term

United Kingdom is NOT republic - democracy w/ monarch as head of state (role is ceremonial, & elected officials hold the power to rule)

351
Q

economic systems

A

all must make 3 basic decisions:

  1. what & how many goods & services should be produced
  2. how they should be produced
  3. who gets the goods & services tht r produced

traditional, market, & command economies

352
Q

traditional economy

A

habit & custom determine the rules for all economic activity

individuals not free 2 make decisions based on what they would like to have but instead defined by customs of their elders & ancestors

Ex: tradition in Inuit society of northern Canada tht a successful hunter would share the spoils of the hunt with the other families in village

today exist in very limited parts of the world

353
Q

market economy

A

individuals & private groups make decisions abt what to produce

ppl as shoppers choose what products they will/will not buy

businesses make more of what they believe consumers want

based on free enterprise

no country has pure market economy system

354
Q

free enterprise/capitalism

A

the idea that private individuals/groups have the right to own property/businesses & make a profit w/ only limited gov’t interference

ppl free to choose what jobs they will do & for whom they will work

355
Q

mixed economy

A

US

an economy in which the gov’t supports & regulates enterprise thru decisions that affect the marketplace

the gov’t main economic task is to preserve the free market by keeping competition free & fair & by supporting the public interest

gov’ts also influence their economies by spending tax revenues to support social services such as health care, education, & housing

356
Q

command economy

A

economic system in which economic decisions abt production & disribution r made by some central authority

the gov’t owns/directs the means of production - land, labor, capital (machinery, factories), & business managers - & controls the distribution of goods

countries w/ this economy try to distribute goods & services equally among citizens - ex. public taxes r used to support social services

citizens however have no voice in how this tax money is spent

called either socialism/communism

357
Q

how to tell if a command economy is socialist/communist?

A

depends onhow much the gov’t is involved

358
Q

communism

A

requires strict gov’t control of almost the entire society, including its economy

gov’t decides how much to produce, what to produce, & how to distribute the g&s’s produced

1 political party (Communist Party) makes decisions & may even use various forms of coercion to ensure that the decisions r carried out @ lower political & economic levels

359
Q

opposition against communism

A

supporters of market system say tht w/out free decision making & incentives, businesses won’t innovate/produce products tht ppl want

customers will be limited in their choices & economies will stagnate

cuz of this, command economies often decline

Ex: former Soviet Union

so China & Vietnam have allowed some free enterprise to promote economic growth, altho their gov’t tightly control political affairs

360
Q

socialism

A

allows even wider range of free enterprise alongside gov’t-run activities

3 main goals:

  1. equal distribution of wealth & economic opportunity
  2. society’s control, thru its gov’t, of all major decisions abt production
  3. public ownerships of most land, factories, & other means of production
361
Q

democratic socialism

A

politically some socialist countries, esp in western Europe, r democracies

under this, ppl have basic human rights & elect their political leaders, even tho the gov’t controls certain industries

362
Q

economy

A

the way a society produces, distributes, & uses goods & services

363
Q

natural resource

A

substance from the earth that is not made by ppl but can be used by them for food, fuel, or other necessities

renewable/nonreweable

364
Q

renewable resources

A

cannot be used up or can be replaced naturally or grown again in a relatively short amount of time

Ex: wind, sun, water, forests, & animal life

365
Q

nonrenewable resources

A

can’t be replaced

minerals & fossil fuels

366
Q

conservation

A

immediate goal = to manage vital resources carefully so that ppl’s present needs r met

long-term goal = ensure tht the needs of future generations r met

environmental experts have encouraged ppl to replace their dependence on fossil fuels w/ the use of renewable energy sources

367
Q

hydroelectric power

A

a renewable energy source generated from falling water

368
Q

solar energy

A

power produced by the sun’s heat

requires large, expensive equipment, so not yet an economical alternative to other energy sources

369
Q

nuclear power

A

electricity created by nuclear energy, the power made by creating a controlled atomic reaction

produces dangerous waste products

370
Q

economic development

A

most natural resources not evenly distributed throughout earth

affects the global economy, so countries specialize in the econ activiites best suited 2 their resources

4 types of activites: primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary

371
Q

primary economic activities

A

involve taking/using natural resources directly form earth

farming, grazing, fishing, forestry, & mining

take place near the natural resources being used - coal mining occurs @ site of coal deposit

372
Q

secondary economic activities

A

use raw materials to produce something new & more valuable

manufacturing automobiles, assembling electronic goods, producing electric power, or making pottery

occur close to the resource/close to the market for the finished good

373
Q

tertiary economic activities

A

don’t involve directly acquiring & remaking natural resources - instead provide services to ppl & businesses

doctors, teachers, lawyers, truckers, & store clerks –> all professiona, wholesale, or retail services

374
Q

quaternary economic activities

A

concerned w/ processing, management, & distrubtion of info

vitally important to modern economies tht have been transformed in recent years by comp revolution

“white collar” professionals working in educations, gov’t, business, info processing, & research

375
Q

developed countries

A

econ activites help influence a country’s level of development

country tht has a great deal of technology & manufacturing

US

most ppl work in manufacutring/service industries & enjoy a high standard of living

farmers in these countries engage in commercial farming, raising crops & livestock to sell in the market; cuz of modern techniques, only small percentage of these countries’ workers is needed to grow feed to feed entire populations

376
Q

developing countries

A

countries working toward greater manufacturing & technology

mainly in Africa, Asia, & Latin America

agriculture remains dominant - despite much commercial farming, most farmers inthese countries engage in subsistence farming so most ppl in these countries = poor

377
Q

subsistence farming

A

growing only enough food for family needs

378
Q

industrialization

A

transition from an agricultural society to one based on industry

has transormed once largely agricultural countries

Ex: China & Malysia

379
Q

downside of developing countries

A

global influence of developing countries has sparked resentment in some developing countries

militant groups have tried to strike back by engaging in terrorism - small in size & often limited in resources, these groups seek to use the fear unleashed by violence to heighten their influence to promote change

380
Q

terrorism

A

the use of violence to create fear in a given population

381
Q

world trade

A

unequal distribution of natural resources promotes a complex network of trade among countries

countries export their specialized products, trading them to other countries tht can’t produce those goods

when countries can’t produce as much as they need of a good, they import it. that country, in turn, may buy the first country’s products, making the 2 countries trading partners

382
Q

multinational companies

A

major stimulus to world trade

a firm tht does business in many places thruout the world

usually headquartered in a developed country & often locate their manufacturing/assembly operations in developing countries w/ low labor costs

383
Q

barriers to trade

A

gov’t tries to manage its country’s trade to benefit its own economy :

some add a tariff to the price of goods tht r imported which influences ppl to buy products made in their home country

might put a strict quota, or # limit, on the quantity of a particular product tht can be imported from a particular country

may even impose embargo

384
Q

embargo

A

bans trade w/ another country altogether as a way to punish that country for political/economic diff’s

385
Q

free trade

A

the removal of trade barriers so that goods can flow freely b/w countries

GATT

around world, several countries have joined together to create regional free trade agreements NAFTA

386
Q

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade(GATT)

A

first international agreement to promote free trade

in 1995 became World Trade Organization (WTO), to which most countries now belong

387
Q

NAFTA

A

North American Free Trade Agreement

elimintes all trade barriers to 1 another’s goods

388
Q

EU

A

European Union

largest trading bloc

includes many of the countries of Europe

many members have adopted a regional currency, the euro, to extend their cooperative efforts

389
Q

pollution

A

the existence of impure, unclean, or poisonous substances in the air, water, or land

390
Q

water pollution

A

Earth’s bodies of water r normally renewable, purifying themselves over time, but this natural cycle can be interrupted by human activity

tankers & offshore rigs can cause oil spills

industries may dump chemical waste tht enters & pollutes the water supply

feritlizers & pesticides from farms can seep into groundwater & cause harm, as can animal waste & untreated sewage

391
Q

land pollution

A

occurs where chemical waste poisons fertile topsoil or solid waste is dumped in landfills

radioactive waste from nuclear power plants & toxic runoff from chemical processing plants can also leak into the soil & cause contamination

392
Q

air pollution

A

main source = burning of fossil fuels by industries & vehicles

burning fuel gives off poisonous gases tht can seriously damage ppl’s health

acidic chemicals in air pollution combine w/ precipitation to form acid rain

393
Q

acid rain

A

eats away @ the surfaces of buildings, kills fish, & can even destroy entire forests

394
Q

forests

A

provide animal habitats, prevent soil erosion, & conduct photosynthesis

395
Q

photosynthesis

A

the process by which plants take in carbon dioxide and, in the presence of sunlight, produce carbohydrates

the oxygen released during this is vital for human & animal survival

396
Q

alluvial soil

A

a fine-grained fertile soil deposited by water flowing over flood plains or in river beds

accelerates erosion, creating deltas

the sediments cause the water to flow aroud them, creating a triangle shape(delta)

397
Q

tidal river

A

river near ocean

a river whose flow and level is influenced by tides

when @ low tide, sediments blown away by wind or carried by water to farmland

398
Q

path of least resistance

A

No matter where the river, it will take the path of least resistance and flow downhill as rapidly as possible.

399
Q

who desalinates?

A

rich & need water

Saudi Arabia

400
Q

belt

A

A geographic region that is distinctive in a specific respect

Delaware is in chemical & credit card belt

401
Q

largest tectonic plate

A
402
Q

degrees of tropical climate

A

47

prevailing winds = trade winds

403
Q

degrees of temperate climate

A

86

prevailing winds = westerlies

404
Q

degrees of polar climate

A

47

prevailing winds = northeasterlies & southeasterlies

405
Q

degrees of northern temperate climate

A

43

406
Q

biosphere

A

can be found in lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere

the part of the earth where life exists

407
Q

ecuador

A

Western, Northern, Southern hemispheres

SW, NW

408
Q

AU (Astronomical Unit)

A

93 million mi / 150 million km

409
Q

why has Mars been chosen by NASA as the best prospect for exploration?

A

may once have harbored life; similar atmosphere to earth; water; easier to land on; relatively cool

410
Q

what conditions must humans create in space travel for sustained life?

A

temperatures w/in a limited range, liquid water, atmosphere w/ some (but not too much) oxygen, food sources w/ carbs, protein, & certain minerals, a magnetic shield to block UV rays, ability to grow food (greenhouse - enclosed space, sunlight, water cycle), gravity, leisure space

411
Q
A
412
Q

erosion of river bends

A

turn of rivers usually eroded & exposed, widening over time

413
Q

based on earth’s current tectonic plate movements, what topographical changes would u expect to see in the distant future?

A

more land in North Atlantic, California’s coast line separated & narrower cuz of San Andreas Fault

4 plates pulling apart = Eurasian, North Am, South Am, & African

wind & water erosion consistnetly help out mountains (Appalachians) erode down, while others continue to grow

India changes shape cuz of INdian Ocean -< monsoons

414
Q

what would happen if mantle stopped circulating

A

plate tectonics would cease, so mtns, volcanoes, etc. would stop forming. Eventually, because of erosion & weathering, the earth’s surface would just flatten out

theoretically the plates would fuse, but in reality, the planet would go BOOM

415
Q

what changes in the water cycle must occur in order for droughts to occur?

A

rate of evaporation would increase & rate of precipitation would decrease

change in wind patterns

El Nino/La Nina

416
Q

contamination of Earth’s sphres

A

hydrosphere - sediments, sewage, pollution, oil spills

lithosphere - animal waste, excessive use of pesticides, soil depletions, heavy farming, soil compaction

atmosphere - animal waste, dusts, gases, vapours, mists

biosphere - radioactivity

417
Q

natural selection

A

only the organisms best adapted to their environment tend to survive and transmit their genetic characteristics in increasing numbers to succeeding generations while those less adapted tend to be eliminated.

418
Q

what causes a place to be cold

A

high elevation & high latitude

419
Q

Judaism

A

4k recorded; 6-10k legend

origin: Ur, Canaan

current pop: 14.8 million

holy text: torah

class: monotheistic

420
Q

Hinduism

A
  1. 5k recorded; ?? legend
    origin: south asia

current pop: 968 million

text: Vedic Texts
class: Polytheistic(ancient), monotheistic(current)

421
Q

Buddhism

A
  1. 5k recorded
    origin: West India

current pop: 500 million

text: Sutras(religious prayers)
class: n/a

422
Q

Christianity

A

2k +

origin: Mediterranean
pop: 2.34 billion
txt: Bible
class: monotheistic (Holy Trinity)

423
Q

Islam

A
  1. 434k
    origin: Arabian Peninsula
    pop: 1.57 billion
    txt: Koran(Quran)
    class: monotheistic

ISS (14 decks)

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