Geography Quiz

Who is considered the Father of Geography?

Eratosthenes (correct)

Plato

Aristotle

Socrates

When was the study officially named geography?

Around 200 B.C. (correct)

Around 500 B.C.

Around 1000 B.C.

Around 100 A.D.

What is the branch of geography that focuses on how human culture and society have formed the Earth?

Physical geography

Cultural geography

Human geography (correct)

Social geography

What is the main focus of physical geography?

Studying natural events that have shaped the Earth Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for the true location of places geographically as opposed to our perception of location?

Macrogeographic regions Signup and view all the answers

What is the best-known geography tool?

Global Positioning System (GPS) Signup and view all the answers

Which science studies both the physical aspects of the earth and social phenomena?

Geography Signup and view all the answers

What is the ancient science in the form of map-making?

Cartography Signup and view all the answers

Which projection, developed in 1570, is still used in many maps today?

Mercator projection Signup and view all the answers

What tool builds on GPS data to integrate maps and other kinds of information?

Geographic Information System (GIS) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for regions based on shared characteristics?

Formal regions Signup and view all the answers

Which continent is the only one without permanent human civilizations?

Antarctica Signup and view all the answers

What separates North and South America?

The Isthmus of Panama Signup and view all the answers

Which two regions act as a subtle border between Europe and Asia?

Eastern Europe and Western Asia Signup and view all the answers

What mainly separates the regions of Africa?

The Saharan Desert Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a map legend?

To show the relationship between objects on a map Signup and view all the answers

What does the map scale express?

The relationship between the distance of objects on a map and the distance between the objects in real life Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of geographical coordinates?

To define and specify a position or location on the surface of the Earth Signup and view all the answers

What does latitude denote in geographical coordinates?

How far north or south a position is in reference to the equator Signup and view all the answers

What does longitude denote in geographical coordinates?

How far east or west a position is in reference to the prime meridian Signup and view all the answers

What do contour lines on a topographic map connect?

Points of equal elevation Signup and view all the answers

What do index contours on a topographic map indicate?

Exact elevation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a contour interval on a topographic map?

Shows elevation change between lines Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for contour lines that show depressions on a topographic map?

Hachures Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between a topographic map and a geologic map?

Geologic map displays types and ages of rocks Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a small, icy body of frozen gases, rocks, and cosmic dust that orbits the sun in an elliptical path?

Comet Signup and view all the answers

Which planet in Earth's solar system is considered a terrestrial planet?

Mars Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a natural satellite that makes one orbit around the earth each month?

Moon Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between terrestrial planets and Jovian planets in Earth's solar system?

Terrestrial planets have a solid surface and metal core, while Jovian planets do not have a solid surface and are primarily comprised of gases Signup and view all the answers

What causes the greenhouse effect on Earth?

Absorption of solar energy by the Earth and its radiation back into the atmosphere, trapped by greenhouse gases Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of Earth's atmosphere?

Nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the protective layer of oxygen ions lying 15-30 km above the Earth's surface called?

Ozone layer Signup and view all the answers

What process returns water to the surface as rain, snow, sleet, or hail?

Precipitation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between weather and climate?

Weather changes hourly, while climate changes over many years Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Köppen climate classification?

To categorize regions based on precipitation, temperature, and altitude Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes tides on Earth?

Gravitational interaction between the Earth, moon, and sun Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason behind the formation of spring tides and neap tides?

The relative positions of the moon and the sun in relation to Earth Signup and view all the answers

What process significantly contributed to the increase in oxygen levels on Earth?

Photosynthesis by plants Signup and view all the answers

What caused the evolution of Earth's ancient atmosphere into its current composition?

Photosynthesis by plants Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of the deformations of a body resulting in tides?

Tidal forces arising from differences in gravity Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason behind the prosperity of the Hittite civilization?

Their advanced technology Signup and view all the answers

What allowed the Incas to overcome geography and climate in building Machu Picchu?

Advanced architectural and engineering skills Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of geomorphologists' study?

Plate tectonic movement Signup and view all the answers

What is the driving force behind the movement of the earth's plates according to the theory of plate tectonics?

Convection currents caused by heat from the earth's core Signup and view all the answers

What is the current accepted theory that describes how the face of the earth can change over time?

Plate tectonics Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between weathering and erosion?

Weathering breaks down rocks, while erosion transports rock fragments to another place Signup and view all the answers

How does water erosion compare to wind and glacial erosion?

Water erosion is comparatively faster than wind and glacial erosion Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of biogeography?

Studying the distribution of plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi on Earth Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of studying the fossil record in biogeography?

To understand the distribution of ancient species and the influence of geological features on evolution Signup and view all the answers

How do scientists use biogeography to understand Earth's historically changing climate?

By analyzing the fossil record to look for the distribution of ancient species Signup and view all the answers