Geography Final Exam Flashcards
What do latitude lines measure?
Distance north or south of the equator
Latitude lines run horizontally and are measured in degrees.
What do longitude lines measure?
Distance east or west of the Prime Meridian
Longitude lines run vertically and are also measured in degrees.
What are the three climatic zones related to latitude?
- Tropical Zone: 0°–23.5° N/S
- Temperate Zones: 23.5°–66.5° N/S
- Polar Zones: 66.5°–90° N/S
How many time zones are there on Earth?
24 time zones
Each covering 15° of longitude.
What is Deep Time?
The vast time scale of Earth’s history, spanning billions of years.
What is the significance of time in plate tectonics?
It helps understand the movement of tectonic plates and geological history.
What are the three types of plate movements?
- Convergent Boundaries: Plates move toward each other
- Divergent Boundaries: Plates move apart
- Transform Boundaries: Plates slide past each other
What is subduction?
When one tectonic plate is forced under another due to their collision.
What is the theory of continental drift?
Continents were once part of a supercontinent (Pangaea) and have drifted apart.
What are the four main proofs of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener?
- The fit of the continents
- Fossil evidence
- Similar rock formations
- Evidence of ancient climates
What are convection currents?
Movement of molten rock in the Earth’s mantle caused by heat from the core.
How are igneous rocks formed?
When magma or lava cools and solidifies.
How do igneous rocks become sedimentary rocks?
Weathering and erosion into particles, then compacted and cemented.
How are metamorphic rocks formed?
Subjected to intense heat and pressure, causing physical and chemical changes.
What are the components of soils?
- Minerals
- Organic matter
- Water
- Air
Which type of soil is most common in Canada?
Podzolic soil
Common in forested areas with cool, moist climates.
What is leaching?
The process where water removes nutrients from the soil.
What is calcification?
The accumulation of minerals near the surface of the soil.
What type of climate produces rich humus?
Temperate climate with moderate rainfall and warmth.
What is permafrost?
Permanently frozen ground found in northern regions.
Soil can sequester _______ out of the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
How can landforms be classified?
Into highlands, lowlands, and shields.
What are the three regional types of landforms in Canada?
- Highlands
- Lowlands
- Shield
Why is the Canadian Shield rich in resources?
It is rich in minerals due to ancient rock formations.
What are the main factors of LOWERN affecting climate?
- Latitude
- Ocean currents
- Wind and air masses
- Elevation
- Relief
- Nearness to water
What defines maritime vs. continental climate?
- Maritime Climate: Mild temperatures, high precipitation
- Continental Climate: Extreme temperatures, low precipitation
What are the three major uses of water?
- Agricultural
- Industrial
- Domestic
What are natural resources?
Materials from nature that humans use.
Classify sunlight, wind, and coal as renewable or non-renewable.
- Renewable: Sunlight, wind
- Non-renewable: Coal
What are the five drainage basins in Canada?
- Pacific
- Arctic
- Atlantic
- Hudson Bay
- Gulf of Mexico
What is the GRAND Canal?
A proposed water redistribution system from northern rivers to arid regions.
What is the importance of sustainable water management?
Ensures access to clean water and addresses global challenges.
What are the five drainage basins in Canada?
Pacific, Arctic, Atlantic, Hudson Bay, and Gulf of Mexico.
What are bulk water exports?
Large-scale transfer of freshwater across borders for commercial purposes.
What is the GRAND Canal?
Proposed water redistribution system from northern rivers to arid regions.
What is the NAWAPA plan?
A plan to divert northern water to the U.S. and Mexico for agricultural and urban use.
What significant water issues affect Attawapiskat and Neskantaga?
Persistent boil water advisories due to poor infrastructure, contamination, and lack of government action.
Which region of Canada is most vulnerable to drought?
The Prairies.
Why is drought an economic problem for the Prairies?
It affects agriculture, leading to reduced crop yields and higher food prices.
How is energy measured?
In joules (J) or kilowatt-hours (kWh) for electrical energy.
What are Canada’s largest sources of energy?
Hydroelectric power, fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal), nuclear energy, and renewable sources (wind, solar, biomass).
What are the two types of energy sources?
- Renewable energy
- Non-renewable energy
What is renewable energy?
Energy from sources that naturally replenish within a human lifespan. Example: Solar energy.
What is non-renewable energy?
Energy from sources that take millions of years to form and are limited. Example: Fossil fuels.
List the pros and cons of Solar Energy.
- Pros: Renewable, no emissions
- Cons: Weather-dependent, high setup cost
List the pros and cons of Wind Energy.
- Pros: Clean, renewable
- Cons: Aesthetic and noise concerns, dependent on wind
List the pros and cons of Hydroelectric Energy.
- Pros: Renewable, efficient
- Cons: Can disrupt ecosystems, requires large-scale infrastructure
List the pros and cons of Nuclear Energy.
- Pros: Low emissions, reliable
- Cons: Risk of accidents, radioactive waste
List the pros and cons of Geothermal Energy.
- Pros: Renewable, efficient
- Cons: Limited locations, high initial costs
List the pros and cons of Biomass Energy.
- Pros: Renewable, reduces waste
- Cons: Air pollution, land use concerns
List the pros and cons of Fracking.
- Pros: Increases energy supply
- Cons: Water contamination, seismic activity
List the pros and cons of Fossil Fuels.
- Pros: High energy density, reliable
- Cons: Non-renewable, major contributor to pollution
How does energy begin and how is it converted into use?
Most energy starts as solar energy, which is converted into heat, electricity, or mechanical energy.
How is Canada embracing energy?
By focusing on renewable energy adoption and investing in sustainable technologies.
What is inshore fishing?
Small-scale fishing near the coast, often using smaller boats.
What is offshore fishing?
Large-scale fishing in deeper waters using larger vessels.
What are five reasons for the collapse of the cod fishery?
- Overfishing
- Lack of enforcement of quotas
- Mismanagement of fish stocks
- Advancements in fishing technology
- Environmental changes
What are the three main types of nets used in fishing?
- Gill nets
- Trawling nets
- Purse seines
What is the tragedy of the commons?
The overuse and depletion of shared resources due to individual self-interest.
What is sustainable yield management?
A strategy to harvest resources at a rate that ensures their replenishment.
What does the Demographic Transition Model (DTM) explain?
Population changes over time due to birth and death rates.
What are the stages of the Demographic Transition Model?
- Stage 1: High Stationary
- Stage 2: Early Expanding
- Stage 3: Late Expanding
- Stage 4: Low Stationary
- Stage 5: Declining
How is natural increase calculated?
Natural Increase = Birth Rate - Death Rate.
What are the three main areas of a population pyramid?
- Youth Dependency (0–14 years)
- Working Age (15–64 years)
- Old Age Dependency (65+ years)
What was China’s One-Child Policy?
Introduced in 1979 to control overpopulation, leading to penalties for families having more than one child.
What are push factors in immigration?
Reasons people leave their home country (e.g., war, persecution).
What are pull factors in immigration?
Reasons people choose Canada (e.g., safety, economic opportunities).
What challenges do refugees face in Canada?
- Language barriers
- Housing
- Employment
- Cultural adjustment
- Discrimination
What are the six types of urban land use?
- Residential
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Institutional
- Recreational
- Transportation
What is urban sprawl?
Uncontrolled expansion of cities into surrounding rural areas.
What are the characteristics of urban sprawl?
- Low-density development
- Heavy reliance on automobiles
- Segregation of land uses
- Loss of agricultural lands
What are solutions to combat urban sprawl?
- Implementing smart growth strategies
- Promoting public transportation
- Encouraging mixed-use development
What is smart growth?
Urban planning strategy focused on sustainable and efficient land use.
What are the six characteristics of smart growth?
- Compact building design
- Mixed-use development
- Walkable neighborhoods
- Preservation of open spaces
- Variety of transportation choices
- Community collaboration in planning
What land formations are classified as highlands?
Western Cordillera
Appalachian Mountains
Innuitian Mountains
What land formations are classified as lowlands?
Interior Plains,
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands,
Hudson Bay
What land formations are classified as shields?
Canadian Shield
What are highlands?
Elevated areas with mountains or plateaus.
What are lowlands?
Flat or gently rolling regions at lower elevations.
What are shields?
Ancient, rocky regions rich in minerals
How has glaciation helped to form some parts of Canada?
Carving valleys and depositing sediments
Which landforms were formed with the help of glaciation?
Interior Plains, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands, and Hudson Bay Lowlands
What does latitude do?
Determines solar energy received
What do ocean currents do?
Affect temperature and precipitation
What do wind and air masses do?
Distribute heat and moisture
What does elevation do?
Higher elevations are colder
What does relief do?
Mountains affect precipitation patterns
What does nearness to water do?
Moderates climate
What 3 ocean currents have a direct effect on the climate of Canada?
Gulf Stream (warm)
Labrador Current (cold)
Alaska Current (warm)
What are the main air masses that control the climate across Canada?
- Continental Arctic: Cold, dry air.
- Continental Polar: Cool, dry air.
- Maritime Polar: Cool, moist air.
- Maritime Tropical: Warm, moist air.
Can you explain the convection currents associated with the wind?
Convection currents occur when warm air rises and cool air sinks, creating wind patterns. This redistributes heat and moisture globally.
Windward vs Leeward
Windward: Faces the wind, receives more precipitation
Leeward: Sheltered from the wind, experiences less precipitation
Primary industries
Extracting natural resources
Secondary industries
Manufacturing and processing raw materials
Tertiary industries
Providing services
Quaternary industries
Knowledge-based services
