Geography Quiz: Mapping and Earth Sciences

A sphere that accurately portrays the Earth's shape and proportions.

A map projection that preserves compass bearings but distorts the size of landmasses near the equator and poles.

A map projection that balances size, shape, and distance, but distorts direction slightly.

A scale that expresses the relationship between map distance and real-world distance using words, like '1 cm to 100 km'.

To find the actual distance, divide the scale by 100,000 and multiply by the map distance.

The imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole and is located at 0 degrees longitude.

The imaginary line that is located at 0 degrees latitude and divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Lines of longitude are also known as meridians.

The International Date Line is located at 180 degrees longitude and runs through the Pacific Ocean.

Lines of latitude are also known as parallels.

A supercontinent that existed during the Paleozoic Era, encompassing all of Earth's landmasses.

Giant, circulating currents within the Earth's mantle, driven by heat differences, that cause the movement of tectonic plates.

The outermost layer of the Earth, composed of relatively thin and rigid rock. We live on the Earth's crust.

A boundary between tectonic plates where they move apart from each other, resulting in the formation of new crust.

A boundary between tectonic plates where they collide, resulting in mountain building, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

Plates slide past each other horizontally, causing earthquakes.

A denser oceanic plate slides beneath a continental plate, creating volcanoes, trenches, and earthquakes.

Extremely hot regions in the mantle, causing volcanic activity away from plate boundaries.

Earthquakes and volcanoes are most likely to occur near the boundaries of tectonic plates.

The Earth's tilted axis causes different hemispheres to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.

Water takes longer to heat up and cool down compared to land.

The angle at which the sun's rays hit the Earth determines the temperature. Direct sunlight is warmer.

The average temperature of the Earth is approximately 15 degrees Celsius.

Industries that take raw materials directly from the environment.

Processing raw materials into finished goods, often with the help of technology.

Services that support primary and secondary industries, providing essential functions for the economy.

Industries that deal with information and knowledge, processing ideas rather than physical products.

Tertiary industries employ the most people, as they provide a wide range of services essential for modern society.

The difference in proximity to water influences climate. Coastal areas like Vancouver have a maritime climate with smaller temperature swings, while inland areas like Steinbach have a continental climate with larger temperature swings.

Latitude determines the amount of solar radiation received, influencing temperature. Locations further north receive less direct sunlight and are generally colder.

Ocean currents carry warmth or coldness, influencing coastal climates. Warm currents bring warmer temperatures, while cold currents bring colder temperatures.

Wind patterns influence temperature and precipitation. Air masses bring different weather conditions, while pressure systems create areas of high and low pressure affecting weather.

The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere (June) and the shortest day of the year in the southern hemisphere (December).

Uranium is a radioactive element that is used as fuel in nuclear power plants. When uranium atoms split, they release a tremendous amount of energy, which is harnessed to generate electricity.

Before its collapse, the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland were a rich fishing ground for cod, a type of fish. Overfishing led to the decline of the cod population, leading to the closure of cod fisheries in 1992.

A situation where individuals acting in their own self-interest deplete a shared resource, even though it harms everyone in the long run.

Canada's largest forest region, characterized by coniferous trees and a cold climate.

The most productive forest region in Canada due to its mild climate and ample rainfall, featuring a variety of tree species.

Forests that are managed and harvested for commercial uses, typically for timber production.

Forests that are not suitable for timber harvesting due to factors like sparse tree growth, low quality wood, or environmental restrictions.

A technique for harvesting trees that minimizes damage to the forest and encourages natural regeneration. It prioritizes selective removal of mature trees while leaving younger ones to grow and reproduce.

A type of fossil fuel formed from decomposed plant matter over millions of years. It is primarily used for generating electricity and producing heat.

A type of mining where layers of soil and rock are removed to expose the desired resource. It is most efficient for shallow deposits and typically used for materials like coal, sand, and gravel.

A type of mining that involves digging deep into the ground through vertical shafts and horizontal tunnels. It is commonly used for extracting valuable minerals like metals and gemstones.

A type of mining where a large open pit is excavated to access the resource. This method is typically used when the mineral is widely distributed and near the surface.