Geography Chapter 1

Absolute Location = Exact position on Earth using latitude and longitude Relative Location = Position in relation to other places Equator = Divides Earth into northern and southern hemispheres Prime Meridian = Divides Earth into eastern and western hemispheres

Latitude = Lines measuring distance north or south of the equator Longitude = Lines measuring distance east or west of the prime meridian Place = Specific point with physical and human characteristics Region = Area with shared cultural or physical features

Maps = Flat representations of Earth's surface Globes = Spherical models of Earth Landsat = Satellites for collecting Earth surface data GOES = Satellites for monitoring weather and climate

<p>Cartographer = Person who makes maps GIS = Computer systems for geographic data Human-Environment Interaction = How humans affect and are affected by their environment Movement = Transfer of people, goods, and ideas</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Core = Central part of the Earth, consisting of solid and liquid parts Mantle = Layer between the crust and core, made of semi-solid rock Crust = Outermost layer of Earth composed of rock and soil Magma = Molten rock beneath Earth’s surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Atmosphere = Layer of gases surrounding Earth Lithosphere = Solid, outer part of Earth, including crust and upper mantle Hydrosphere = All water on Earth Biosphere = All living organisms on Earth</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Solar System = Sun and all objects orbiting it Continent = One of the seven large landmasses on Earth Continental Drift = Continents have moved over geological time Hemisphere = Half of the Earth</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Location = Position of something on Earth’s surface Place = Specific point on Earth defined by its physical and human characteristics Region = An area distinguished by shared cultural or physical features Movement = The transfer of people, goods and ideas</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Tectonic Plate = A large piece of Earth's lithosphere that moves Fault = A crack in Earth's crust due to tectonic forces Earthquake = Shaking of Earth's crust caused by fault movements Epicenter = Point on Earth's surface above the earthquake focus</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hydrologic Cycle = The movement of water through the atmosphere, land, and oceans Ground Water = Water stored beneath Earth’s surface Water Table = The upper level of groundwater in an area Drainage Basin = Area of land where water collects and flows into a river</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Weather = Short-term atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place Climate = Average weather conditions of a region over a long period Precipitation = Any form of water falling from the atmosphere to the ground Rain Shadow = Dry area on the leeward side of a mountain</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hurricane = Large, powerful tropical storm with strong winds Tornado = Violently rotating column of air extending from storm to the ground Blizzard = Severe snowstorm with strong winds Drought = Prolonged period with little or no rainfall</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Volcano = Mountain formed by magma erupting onto Earth’s surface Lava = Magma that reaches Earth’s surface Ring of Fire = Zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean Tsunami = Large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcano</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Landform = A natural feature of Earth’s surface, such as a mountain or valley Continental Shelf = The submerged edge of a continent Relief = The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area Topography = The shape and features of Earth’s surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Seismograph = An instrument that measures and records earthquake vibrations Richter Scale = A scale measuring the energy released by an earthquake Weathering = Breaking down of rocks by wind, water, or ice Climate Change = Long-term changes in Earth’s climate</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Solstice = The two times a year when the Sun is at its greatest distance from the equator Equinox = The two times a year when day and night are of equal length Global Warming = The increase in Earth’s average temperature due to human activities Typhoon = A tropical cyclone occurring in the western Pacific Ocean</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Greenhouse Effect = The trapping of heat in Earth’s atmosphere by gases Population Density = The number of people living in a specific area Monarchy = A government led by a king or queen Urbanization = The process of cities growing and expanding</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Diffusion = The spread of ideas from one culture to another Acculturation = When one culture adopts traits from another Cultural Hearth = A region where a culture originates Dialect = A regional variety of a language</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Democracy = A government where power rests with the people Dictatorship = A government controlled by one leader with total power Communism = A system where the government owns all resources Landlocked = A country with no direct access to the ocean</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Birth Rate = The number of births per 1,000 people in a year Fertility Rate = The average number of children a woman is expected to have Infant Mortality Rate = The number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births Push-Pull Factors = Reasons people migrate for better opportunities or escape</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ethnic Group = People who share a common culture or language Society = A group of people sharing a culture and region Biome = A large region with specific climate and organisms Ecosystem = A community of plants, animals, and their environment</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Urban Geography = The study of cities and urban areas Metropolitan Area = A city and its surrounding suburbs Suburb = A smaller area surrounding a city City = A large, densely populated area</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Monotheistic = Belief in one god Polytheistic = Belief in multiple gods Animistic = Belief that natural objects have spirits Religion = A belief system about the meaning of life</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>State = A political unit with defined territory and government Nation = A group of people sharing a common culture Nation-State = A country where the population shares a common identity Innovation = The creation of new ideas or products</p> Signup and view all the answers