A-Z Geography Terms & Features

A-Z Geography Terms & Features

• Altitude: The height of an object relative to a reference point, commonly sea level.
• Archipelago: A cluster of islands surrounding a body of water.
• Arm: A narrow water passage, similar to a creek.
• Atoll: A ring-shaped coral formation encircling a lagoon.
• Bank: A steep incline rising from bodies of water such as lakes and rivers.
• Basin: A sunken area for water, often forming a bay within a narrow entrance.
• Bay: A body of water extending into the land, smaller than a gulf but larger than a creek.
• Bayou: A slow-moving, swampy waterway obstructed by vegetation.
• Beach: The shoreline of a lake or sea, shaped by tides and waves.
• Bluff: A nearly vertical, high bank jutting into water bodies.
• Bog: Soft, wet ground covered with vegetation, unable to support heavy weight.
• Branch: A smaller stream that feeds into a larger one.
• Breakers: Waves crashing against rocks or shore, creating foam.
• Brink: The edge of a steep terrain, such as a riverbank or cliff.
• Brook: A small, natural water stream.
• Canal: An artificial channel for water transportation.
• Canyon: A deep valley with steep rocky sides, formed by water erosion.
• Cape: A prominent land point extending into a body of water.
• Cave: A hollow underground space, can be natural or man-made.
• Cavern: A deep, natural underground chamber.
• Channel: A narrow body of water, like a strait, between land masses.
• Chasm: A deep fissure in the Earth's surface.
• Cinder cone: A hill formed from volcanic debris surrounding a vent.
• Cliff: A steep rock face, typically found on coasts.
• Coast: The border between land and sea.
• Continent: A continuous large landmass not broken by seas.
• Continental Shelf: The submerged edge of a continent.
• Country: A distinct region of land, often recognized as a state.
• Cove: A small bay or inlet along a shoreline.
• Crag: A rugged, steep rocky outcrop.
• Crater: The opening at the top of a volcano.
• Creek: A small stream or narrow inlet.
• Cultivated Land: Land prepared and used for agricultural crops.
• Current: A moving body of water like a stream or tide.
• Dale: A low area between hills or mountains.
• Dam: A structure built to obstruct water flow.
• Dell: A small, wooded valley.
• Delta: A landform where a river splits into several smaller parts before flowing into a larger body of water.
• Desert: A dry, arid region with little precipitation.
• Dike: An earth formation designed to control water flow.
• Divide: A ridge that separates different drainage areas.
• Downstream: The direction in which a river flows.
• Drainage Basin: The area drained by a river and its tributaries.
• Dune: A hill or ridge of sand formed by wind.
• Earth: The planet we inhabit, consisting of land and water.
• Elevation: An area of raised ground such as hills or mountains.
• Estuary: A coastal area where freshwater meets saltwater.
• Fall Line: The transition zone between upland and lowland areas where rivers drop in elevation.
• Field: Land used for agriculture or grazing.
• Fjord: A deep, narrow valley submerged by ocean water, created by glacial activity.
• Foothill: The lower slopes of a mountain.
• Ford: A shallow place in a river for crossing.
• Forest: A significant area covered in trees and vegetation.
• Glacier: A massive body of ice formed in cold regions.
• Glen: A narrow valley between hills.
• Gorge: A narrow valley with steep sides formed by erosion.
• Grove: A small group of trees.
• Gulch: A small, steep-walled valley caused by a stream.
• Gulf: A large bay or recess in the ocean along a coastline.
• Harbor: A sheltered area of water for ships and boats.
• Headland: A prominent point of land extending into the sea.
• Hill: A naturally raised area of land.
• Horizon: The line where the Earth meets the sky.
• Iceberg: A floating mass of ice that has broken off from a glacier.
• Inlet: A narrow body of water between land and islands.
• Irrigated Land: Land that is supplied with water for farming through artificial means.
• Island: A landmass surrounded by water.
• Isthmus: A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas.
• Junction: A point where two or more entities meet or connect.
• Keys: Small islands or coral reefs.
• Knob: A small, rounded hill.
• Knoll: A small mound or hill.
• Lagoon: A shallow body of saltwater separated from the ocean by land.
• Lake: A large inland body of water.
• Land: The solid surface of the Earth.
• Latitude: The angular distance of a place north or south of the equator.
• Ledge: A narrow shelf or ridge of rock.
• Left Bank: The left side of a river when facing downstream.
• Levee: A raised bank along a river to prevent flooding.
• Locks: A mechanism in a canal to raise or lower boats between sections of water.
• Longitude: The distance of a location from the prime meridian, measured in degrees.
• Marsh: Wetland areas dominated by herbaceous plants.
• Meadow: Grassland typically used for hay production.
• Mesa: A flat-topped hill with steep sides.
• Mine: An excavation for obtaining minerals and other materials.
• Moor: An area of open, uncultivated land.
• Mountain: A significant elevation of land, typically over 1,000 feet.
• Mountain Chain: A sequence of connected mountains.
• Mountain Range: A series of mountains connected by high ground.
• Mouth: The entrance or opening of a waterway.
• Natural Resource: Materials from the Earth with economic value.
• Oasis: A fertile area in a desert with water sources.
• Ocean: A vast body of saltwater covering most of the planet's surface.
• Pass: A navigable route through mountain ranges.
• Pasture: Land covered with grass for grazing livestock.
• Peak: The pointed top of a mountain or hill.
• Peninsula: A landform surrounded by water on three sides.
• Piedmont: The area at the base of a mountain.
• Pier: A structure extending into a body of water for boat access.
• Plain: An extensive area of flat land.