Geography Final Exam Study Guide

A system of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual or a small group, often suppressing individual liberties.

A geographic feature formed by a deep valley created by the movement of tectonic plates.

The process of land becoming barren and unusable due to factors like climate change, deforestation, and overgrazing.

The cutting down of forests, often for timber, agriculture, or urbanization.

The belief in one God.

The practice of separating people based on their race or ethnicity.

The forced displacement of people from their homelands due to violence, persecution, or natural disasters.

A system of social stratification in Hinduism that divides people into hereditary groups based on occupation and ritual purity.

A type of farming that focuses on growing crops for commercial sale rather than subsistence.

A system of beliefs where the soul is reborn into a new body after death, with the quality of the next life determined by actions in the previous one.

A place of worship in Islam, characterized by a central prayer hall, a minaret for calling the faithful to prayer, and a mihrab indicating the direction of Mecca.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share a common ancestor in Abraham, leading to shared historical and cultural connections. Their monotheistic beliefs in one God set them apart from other religions.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an intergovernmental organization of 13 oil-producing nations that coordinates and unifies the petroleum policies of its Member Countries and ensures the stabilization of oil markets in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry.

The Middle East, particularly the Arabian-Gulf region, holds vast oil reserves, making it strategically important for nations seeking energy resources.

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all monotheistic religions originating in the Middle East, with shared beliefs in one God and a focus on ethical conduct and moral principles.

The process by which cities grow and become more densely populated, often driven by factors like industrialization, economic opportunities, and migration.

Nations become urbanized through industrialization, job opportunities, improved infrastructure, and migration from rural areas to cities.

People immigrate (move into a new country) for reasons like economic opportunities, political stability, better living conditions, or to join family members. They emigrate (move away from their country) due to factors like poverty, conflict, persecution, or a desire for new experiences.

Developed nations (MDCs) are characterized by high levels of income, industrialization, technological advancements, and a strong infrastructure. Developing nations (LDCs) are typically characterized by lower incomes, less industrialization, and a focus on agricultural activities.

The three levels of economic activities are primary (extraction of raw materials), secondary (processing and manufacturing), and tertiary (services). Each level plays a crucial role in a nation's economy, representing different stages of value creation.

The North Atlantic Drift, a warm ocean current originating in the Gulf of Mexico, carries warm water to Western Europe's coast. This moderates the region's temperature, leading to milder climates compared to other areas at similar latitudes.

The European Union (EU) has facilitated increased trade by implementing a single market, eliminating tariffs and other barriers to trade between member states, promoting economic cooperation, and creating a common currency (the Euro) for many members. This has boosted economies and raised standards of living for many Europeans.

Major European colonizers in Africa included Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, and Spain. Britain's colonial presence was strong in Southern Africa, including South Africa. France colonized much of West Africa, including Senegal and Ivory Coast. Germany's colonial holdings were primarily in East Africa, including Tanzania and Namibia. Belgium had a significant presence in the Congo region, now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Portugal held colonies in Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde, among others. Italy's African colonies were primarily in the Horn of Africa, including Eritrea and Somalia. Spain had colonies in North Africa, including Morocco.

The two main methods of farming in Africa are subsistence farming and commercial farming. Subsistence farming focuses on producing enough food to feed the farmer and their family, typically practiced on small farms. Commercial farming aims to produce crops and livestock for sale on a larger scale, often using modern technology and machinery. Subsistence farming is often found in rural areas focusing on basic needs, while commercial farming is more common in areas with better infrastructure and access to markets.

Apartheid was a policy of racial segregation and discrimination practiced in South Africa from 1948 to 1991. It aimed to maintain white supremacy and separate racial groups through legislation, enforced segregation in public facilities, and denial of basic rights to non-white South Africans. It ended due to growing international pressure, boycotts, and the struggle of Black South Africans themselves led by Nelson Mandela.

Developed countries, also known as more developed countries (MDCs), are typically characterized by higher per capita incomes, advanced infrastructure, high levels of industrialization, and a strong service sector. Developing countries, also known as less developed countries (LDCs), generally have lower per capita incomes, less developed infrastructure, and focus on agriculture and resource extraction. However, there is substantial variation within each category.

The physical geography of the Earth encompasses a vast array of elements, including mountains, rivers, oceans, deserts, and forests. These features are shaped by geological processes, climate patterns, and the interactions of land and water. Understanding physical geography helps us to appreciate the diversity of our planet and its impact on human societies.

Map interpretation skills involve understanding the symbols, scales, and legends used on maps to extract information about locations, distances, elevations, and various characteristics. These skills are essential for navigating, analyzing data, and understanding spatial relationships.

Coordinates are a system of lines that help to identify specific locations on a map or globe. They are expressed in latitude and longitude, the angular distances from the equator and prime meridian, respectively. Learning how to use coordinates is essential for pinpointing places and understanding their relationships.

Special purpose maps are created to highlight specific information or themes. They use symbols, colors, and patterns to display data about population distribution, climate patterns, natural resources, or other important features. These maps help us to understand and analyze complex information in a visual and easily interpretable way.