Physical Features of World Geography

Continents
- Seven continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, Australia.
- Vary in size, population, and biodiversity.
Mountains
- Formed by tectonic forces, volcanic activity, or erosion.
- Major mountain ranges:
  - Himalayas (Asia): Home to Mount Everest, the highest peak.
  - Andes (South America): Longest mountain range in the world.
  - Rockies (North America): Extends from Canada to New Mexico.
  - Alps (Europe): Known for their scenic beauty and skiing.
Rivers
- Vital for ecosystems, agriculture, and human settlement.
- Major rivers include:
  - Nile (Africa): Longest river in the world.
  - Amazon (South America): Largest river by discharge volume.
  - Mississippi (North America): Important for trade and transportation.
  - Yangtze (Asia): Longest river in China.
Deserts
- Defined by low precipitation and extreme temperature variations.
- Major deserts:
  - Sahara (Africa): Largest hot desert.
  - Arabian (Middle East): Known for sand dunes and arid climate.
  - Gobi (Asia): Cold desert with harsh winters.
  - Mojave (North America): Characterized by unique flora and fauna.
Oceans and Seas
- Cover about 71% of the Earth’s surface.
- Major oceans:
  - Pacific Ocean: Largest and deepest ocean.
  - Atlantic Ocean: Second-largest, separates the Americas from Europe and Africa.
  - Indian Ocean: Known for trade routes and rich biodiversity.
  - Arctic Ocean: Smallest and shallowest ocean, located around the North Pole.
- Notable seas include the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean Sea.
Plains and Plateaus
- Plains: Flat or gently rolling areas that support agriculture.
  - Example: Great Plains (North America).
- Plateaus: Elevated flatlands, often with steep sides.
  - Example: Tibetan Plateau, known as the "Roof of the World."
Climate Zones
- Influenced by latitude, elevation, and proximity to water.
- Major climate zones:
  - Tropical: Warm, humid, and abundant rainfall.
  - Arid: Dry, with scarce rainfall (deserts).
  - Temperate: Moderate temperatures and seasonal changes.
  - Polar: Cold temperatures, characterized by ice and snow.
Biomes
- Distinct ecological areas based on climate and vegetation.
- Major biomes include:
  - Tundra: Cold, treeless regions with permafrost.
  - Rainforest: High biodiversity, found near the equator.
  - Savanna: Grasslands with scattered trees, common in Africa.
  - Taiga: Boreal forests, primarily composed of coniferous trees.

Physical Features of World Geography

There are seven continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia, each varying in size, population, and biodiversity.
Mountains
- Formed through tectonic forces, volcanic activity, or erosion.
- Himalayas (Asia): Home to Mount Everest, the world's highest peak.
- Andes (South America): Recognized as the longest mountain range globally.
- Rockies (North America): Stretches from Canada to New Mexico.
- Alps (Europe): Renowned for scenic landscapes and skiing opportunities.
Rivers
- Crucial for supporting ecosystems, agriculture, and human habitation.
- Nile (Africa): The longest river in the world.
- Amazon (South America): The largest river by discharge volume.
- Mississippi (North America): A vital artery for trade and transportation.
- Yangtze (Asia): The longest river in China.
Deserts
- Characterized by low rainfall and extreme temperature variations.
- Sahara (Africa): The largest hot desert on Earth.
- Arabian Desert (Middle East): Notable for vast sand dunes and arid conditions.
- Gobi (Asia): A cold desert known for harsh winters.
- Mojave (North America): Home to unique flora and fauna.
Oceans and Seas
- Oceans cover approximately 71% of the Earth's surface.
- Pacific Ocean: The largest and deepest ocean.
- Atlantic Ocean: The second-largest, separating the Americas from Europe and Africa.
- Indian Ocean: Important for trade routes and rich in biodiversity.
- Arctic Ocean: The smallest and shallowest ocean, located around the North Pole.
- Notable seas include the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean Sea.
Plains and Plateaus
- Plains are flat or gently rolling terrains ideal for agriculture, such as the Great Plains in North America.
- Plateaus are elevated flatlands, often with steep sides, exemplified by the Tibetan Plateau, known as the "Roof of the World."

Climate Zones

Climate is influenced by latitude, elevation, and proximity to bodies of water.
Major climate zones include:
- Tropical: Characterized by warm temperatures, humidity, and abundant rainfall.
- Arid: Marked by dry conditions with scarce rainfall typical of deserts.
- Temperate: Features moderate temperatures with distinct seasonal changes.
- Polar: Characterized by cold temperatures, ice, and snow.

Biomes

Biomes are distinct ecological areas defined by climate and vegetation.
Major biomes include:
- Tundra: Cold, treeless regions with permafrost.
- Rainforest: High biodiversity areas located near the equator.
- Savanna: Grasslands with scattered trees, commonly found in Africa.
- Taiga: Boreal forests predominantly consisting of coniferous trees.