Geography Exam Notes

Geography Exam Notes

• Compass Bearings: Measured from North, in a clockwise direction, written as three figures. Cardinal points (North, South, East, West) and ordinal points (NE, SSE, etc.) are used. Example: 90 degrees bearing equates to East
• Compass Points: Refer to the descriptive direction like North, South, East ,West, NE etc
• Bearings: Finding the bearing of one point from another; measured clockwise, must start with N/S and then E/W. Line between points, North line at a point, measure angle.
• Contour Lines: Lines on a topographic map showing ground elevation or depression. Connect points of equal elevation above average sea level, can display 3D features. Steeper slopes have closer contour lines, gentler slopes have contours further apart.
• Contour Interval: Distance between successive contour lines; consistent throughout the map.
• Spot Height: Exact elevation of a particular point on a map, marked by a circle. Displayed value
• Mapping Requirements (SCALE): The title should be within the map frame, underlined or boxed, include what, where, when, and who produced the map. The border should be around the whole map and of equal proportions. All labels, legends and title should be on the map border. All maps must have a direction arrow, North should always align to the top of the map, and all maps must have a legend, use a ruler.
• Time Zones: Standard times zones were created. The International Date Line at 180 degrees runs through the Pacific Ocean, separating one day from another and avoiding dividing landmasses of the same country. Time zones are measured from GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
• Scale: Linear scale, Statement Ex: 1 cm rep 1 km. Representative fraction Ex: 1:100,000 cm
• Hotspots: An area of the Earth's mantle where hot plumes rise, creating volcanoes on the crust and not directly associated with tectonic plate boundaries.
• Continental Drift: The theory that Earth's continents were once joined in a single supercontinent called Pangea, and have drifted apart over millions of years and arrived at their present destinations.
• Plate Tectonics: Rigid lithosphere is made of the Earth's crust and upper mantle, moved by hot mantle convection currents. Three types: Divergent, Convergent, Transform.
• Divergent Boundaries: Plates move apart, magma rises, forming new crust.
• Convergent Boundaries: Plates collide; usually denser plate subducts, creates volcanism and seismic activity. Three subtypes: Oceanic-Continental, Oceanic-Oceanic, Continental-Continental.
• Transform Boundaries: Plates slide past each other, creating pressure and large earthquakes.
• Soil: Combination of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and organisms, supports plant life and purifies/stores water. Bacteria/Organic Material, Air, Minerals Moisture (BAMM)
• Soil Profile: The vertical section of soil layers. O, A, B, and C horizons.
• Leaching: nutrients are washed out if there is too much water.
• Calcification: Water evaporating, and water from below brings minerals to the soil's surface.
• Tundra Biome: Cold, dry climate where only plants that grow close to the ground (mosses, lichens, wildflowers) can survive. Three Types: Arctic, Alpine, Antarctic.
• Transition Zones: Environmental conditions allow for overlap of biotic components with different geographical origins
• Tree Line: The edge of a habitat where growing trees change to non-tree species.
• Permafrost: Permanently frozen subsoil for two or more years.

Precipitation Types

• Relief precipitation: Warm, moist air rising over mountains, cooling and condensing to form precipitation on the windward side.
• Convectional precipitation: Warm ground heats air, causing it to rise, cool, and condense to form precipitation.
• Frontal precipitation: Two air masses meet, often cold and warm, warmer air rises and cools quickly, resulting in quick precipitation.
• Cyclonic precipitation: A common form causing several weather types like rain, thunderstorms, gusty wind
• Geological History: Different rock types, periods as Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Precambrian. The relative age of rock types and the relative history of mountainous regions.

Climate Regions of Canada

• Arctic: Coldest climate, sparse precipitation, permafrost.
• Taiga: Cold, short growing season, conifers, some precipitation
• Cordilleran: Varys widely due to elevation, varies in temperature and precipitation
• Pacific Maritime: Mild, wet, coniferous and deciduous trees
• Boreal: Cold winters, warm summers, moderate precipitation, trees like pines, spruces, and firs are common.
• Prairie: Variable temperature, semi aridic, limited trees, grasses and shrubs
• Southeastern: Mild winters, warm summers, varied precipitation with some areas drier
• Atlantic Maritime: Wet and mild winters, warm summers, rain throughout the year
• Factors for Climate: Latitude, Elevation, Ocean Currents, prevailing winds & air masses, and Relief

Climate Elements

• Wind: Air masses carrying climatic conditions, move based on pressure differences(low pressure to high pressure)
• Elevation: Higher elevations, colder temperatures.
• Relief: The shape of the land, windward (more rain) and leeward (dry) sides.
• Near Water: Maritime climate, milder temperatures, lots of precipitation
• Continental Climate: Inland, more extreme temperatures than near-water climates. Less precipitation

This quiz covers essential concepts in geography, focusing on compass bearings, points, and contour lines on maps. Familiarize yourself with the measurement of bearings, the meanings of different compass directions, and the interpretation of contour lines related to elevation. Prepare effectively for your geography exam!