Physical geography Flashcards
Rain Shadow Effect
the phenomenon in which desert-like conditions appear on the leeward side of a mountain or mountain range.
Example: Death Valley
Economic Map / Resource Map
Depicts the distribution of resources
Example: A map showing oil production of different states
Cultural Region
A region defined by common human characteristics
Example: Midwest
Political Map
Depicts the boundaries of countries and the locations of major cities
Example: Map of Texas showing Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio
Bible Belt
a region consisting of Southern U.S. and some Midwestern states where protestant fundamentalism shapes the culture
Armadillo Projection
a depiction of the Earth that maintains perspective, but can’t show the entire earth at once
Climate Map
Depicts changes in temperature based on region
Example: Weather forecast
Human-Environment Interaction
The ways in which people and places interact with and influence each other. One of the 5 themes of geography.
Example: Early civilizations developed near rivers because of the need for a reliable water supply.
Place
Term definition.
Refers to the physical and human aspects of a specific area. One of the 5 themes of geography.
Example: London (has a temperate climate and urban population)
Thematic Map
Depicts a particular special topic in an area
Example: Electoral map showing voter turnout and results
Functional Regions
A region based on a shared service or purpose
Example: Zip Code Regions
Sun Belt
a region in the southern and southwestern U.S. known for its warm climate, economic growth, and cultural diversity
includes: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, portions of California, North Carolina, and Tennessee
New England
a region of the Northeastern U.S. consisting of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Rhode Island, founded by Puritans seeking the freedom to practice and build societies around their Protestant sects
Transition Zones
areas which exhibit characteristics similar to multiple regions around it
Example: US-Mexico border
Robinson Projection
a depiction of the Earth that shows the entire world at once, but in doing so compromises both trueness to area and the angle
Physical Region
A region that share similar physical features.
Example: Rocky Mountains
Cassini Projection
a depiction of the Earth that is substantially distorted, but useful for surveying
Location
The particular position of a place, described as absolute or relative terms. One of the 5 themes of geography.
Example.
Longitude and latitude coordinates (absolute) or north of the river (relative)
Legend
Image that explains any symbols found on the map or globe
Absolute Location
the location of a given point that does not require another frame of reference. Absolute locations include coordinates or addresses while relative locations describe a point’s location in relation to another point.
Example: Absolute Location: The city of london is located at 51.5°N and .13° W. Relative Location: London is in England.
Region
A collection of different places that have one or more unifying characteristics. One of the 5 themes of geography.
Example: The Pacific Northwest (shares similar weather patterns)
Midwest
a region in the central U.S., including the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas; the culture of the region emphasizes agriculture, manufacturing, and a community-oriented way of life
Rust Belt
describes Northeastern states after an economic and population shift to Southern and Southwestern states in the 1960s that caused many Northeastern factories to close
Himalaya Mountains
One of the key physical features in Asia, they are the tallest mountains in the world and are home to ten of the tallest peaks in the world
