Vocabulary Flashcards
The study of the distribution and interaction of physical and human features on the earth
Geography
The exact place on earth where a geographic feature is found
Absolute Location
Describes a place in relation to other places around it
Relative Location
Each half of the globe
Hemisphere
The imaginary line that encircles the globe, dividing the earth into northern and southern halves
Equator
The imaginary line at zero meridian used to measure longitude east to west, and dividing the earth’s east and west halves; also called the Greenwich Meridian because it passes through Greenwich, England
Prime Meridian
Imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator and are used in locating places north or south
Latitude
Imaginary lines that divide the earth east and west
Longitude
A three-dimensional representation of the earth
Globe
A two-dimensional graphic representation of selected parts of the earth’s surface
Map
A landmass above water on the earth
Continent
The hypothesis that all continents were once joined into a supercontinent that split apart over millions of years
Continental Drift
An enormous moving shelf that forms the earth’s crust
Tectonic Plate
A sometimes violent movement of the earth, produced when tectonic plates grind or slip past each other at a fualt
Earthquake
A giant ocean wave, caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption, with great destructive power
Tsunami
A natural event, formed when magma, gases, and water from the lower part of the crust or mantle collect in underground chambers and eventually erupt and pour out of cracks in the earth’s surface
Volcano
Physical and chemical processes that change the characteristics of rock on or near the earth’s surface, occurring slowly over many years
Weathering
Small pieces of rock produced by weathering processes
Sediment
The result of weathering on matter, created by the action of wind, water, ice, or gravity
Erosion
Either two times a year when the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon at the furthest points north or south, and that mark the beginning of summer and winter; in the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is the longest day and the winter solstice is the shortest
Solstice
Each of the two days in a year on which day and night are equal in length; marks the beginning of spring and autumn
Equinox
The condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and time
Weather
The typical weather conditions at a particular location as observed over time
Climate
The total knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors shared by and passed on by members of a group
Culture
A group that shares a geographic region, a common language, and a sense of identity and culture
Society
A group of people who share language, customs, and a common heritage
Ethnic Group
Taking existing elements of society and creating something new to meet a need
Innovation
The spread of ideas, inventions, or patterns of behavior to different societies
Diffusion
The cultural change that occurs when individuals in a society accept of adopt an innovation
Acculturation
