Geography TX Tech 1-3
Key
A list that explains what symbols on a map stand for.
Cartographer
A mapmaker.
Underground water bearing layers of porous rock, sand, or gravel.
Aquifer
The largest continent in the world is __________.
Asia
A layer of gases that surrounds the earth.
Atmosphere
The smallest continent in the world is __________.
Australia
Government in which a single individual possesses the power and authority to rule.
Autocracy
An imaginary line that runs through the center of the earth between the North and South Poles.
Axis
Cylindrical Projection
Based on the projection of the globe onto a cylinder, most accurate near the Equator
The number of births per year for every 1,000 people.
Birthrate
Map Projection
Cartographers project the round earth onto a flat surface
Longitude
Circle the earth from Pole to Pole. Measure distances east or west of the Prime Meridian. Also called Meridians.
Latitude
Circles the earth parallel to the Equator and measures the distance north or south of the Equator in degrees. Also called parallels
Weather patterns typical for an area over a long period of time.
Climate
Conic Projection
Comes from placing a cone over part of a globe, best suited for showing limited east-west areas that are not too far from the Equator.
Geographical Information System
Computer software used to create maps. The software is usually designed to accept data from many different sources.
The process of excess water vapor changing into liquid water when warm air cools.
Condensation
Trees such as evergreens that have cones and needle shaped leaves, and keep their foliage throughout the winter.
Coniferous
The theory that the continents were once joined and then slowly drifted apart.
Continental Drift
The part of a continent that extends underwater.
Continental Shelf
An effect that causes the prevailing winds to blow diagonally rather than along strict north-south or east-west lines.
Coriolis Effect
The spread of new knowledge and skills from one culture to another.
Cultural Diffusion
Way of life of a group of people who share beliefs and similar customs
Culture
A center where cultures developed and from which ideas and traditions spread outward.
Culture Hearth
Division of the earth based on a variety of factors, including government, social groups, economic systems, language, or religion.
Culture Region
Cold or warm stream of seawater that flows in the oceans, generally in a circular pattern.
Current
The number of deaths per year for every 1,000 people.
Death Rate
Trees, usually broad leaved such as oak and maple, that lose their leaves in autumn.
Deciduous
The removal of salt from seawater to make it usable for drinking and farming.
Desalination
The number of years it takes a population to double in size.
Doubling Time
What cardinal directions do lines of latitude run?
East and West
The great circle formed by the prime meridian and the international dateline cuts Earth in half. The part east of the prime meridian is the __________.
Eastern Hemisphere
A periodic reversal of the pattern of ocean currents and water temperatures in the mid-Pacific region.
El Nino
Special Purpose Map
Emphasize a single idea or a particular kind of information about an area.
The starting point for measuring latitude is the __________.
Equator
One of two days (about March 21 and September 23) on which the sun is directly above the Equator, making day and night equal length
Equinox
Wearing away of the earth's surface by wind, flowing water, or glaciers.
Erosion
Group of people who share common ancestry, language, religion, customs, or combination of such characteristics
Ethnic Group
Process of converting into vapor.
Evaporation
A crack or break in the earth's crust.
Fault
Form of government in which powers are divided between the national government and the state or provincial government
Federal System
Absolute Location
Found at the precise point where one line of latitude crosses a line of longitude.
Large body of ice that moves across the surface of the earth.
Glacier
Gradual warming of the earth and its atmosphere that may be caused in part by pollution and an increase in the greenhouse effect.
Global Warming
The capacity of certain gases in the atmosphere to trap heat, thereby warming the earth.
Greenhouse Effect
Water within the earth that supplies wells and springs.
Groundwater
The watery areas of the earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water.
Hydrosphere
Group of related languages that have all developed from one earlier language.
Language Family
Parallels of __________ circle Earth from west to east.
Latitude
Grid System
Lines on globes and maps that cross one another, forming a pattern. Helps you find locations on a map.
Surface land areas of the earth's crust, including continents and ocean basins.
Lithosphere
Relative Location
Location of one place in relation to another place.
Meridians of __________ meet at the poles.
Longitude
Molten rock that is pushed up from the earth's mantle.
Magma
Thick middle layer of the earth's interior structure, consisting of dense, hot rock.
Mantle
Compass Rose
Marker that indicates directions on a map
The movement of people from place to place.
Migration
Forest with both coniferous and deciduous trees.
Mixed Forest
The growth rate of a population; the difference between birthrate and death rate.
Natural Increase
Plant life that grows in a certain area if people have not changed the natural environment.
Natural Vegetation
The most northern point on Earth is the __________.
North Pole
What cardinal directions do lines of longitude run?
North and South
Cardinal Directions
North, east, south, and west are known as __________.
Cardinal Directions
North, south, east, west.
Intermediate Directions
Northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast
The term scientists use to describe the activities of continental drift and magma flow which create many of Earth's physical features.
Plate Tectonics
The average number of people in a square mile or square kilometer
Population Density
The pattern of population in a country, a continent, or the world.
Population Distribution
An inland grassland area.
Prairie
Moisture that falls to the earth as rain, sleet, hail, or snow.
Precipitation
The starting place for measuring longitude is at 0 degrees and is called the __________
Prime Meridian
Dry area found on the leeward side of mountain range.
Rain Shadow
In astronomy, the earth's yearly trip around the sun, taking 364 1/4 days.
Revolution
When you face north, east is to your __________.
Right
Political Map
Shows the boundaries between countries
Planar Projection
Shows the earth centered in such a way that a straight line coming from the center to any other point represents the shortest distance
Physical Map
Shows the location and the shape of Earth's physical features.
Scale Bar
Shows the relationship between map measurements and actual distances
One of two days (about June 21 and December 22) on which the sun's rays directly on the Tropic of Cancer or Tropic of Capricorn, marking the beginning of summer or winter.
Solstice
Prime Meridian
Starting line of longitude, lies at 0 degrees longitude.
A process by which mountains can form as sea plates dive beneath continental plates.
Subduction
Degree of hotness or coldness measured on a set scale, such as Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Temperature
Intermediate Directions
The "in-between" points on the compass rose, such as northeast and southwest, are known as __________.
A system in which tradition and custom control all economic activity; exists in only a few parts of the world today
Traditional Economy
The line of latitude situated at 23 1/2 degrees N latitude is called the __________.
Tropic of Cancer
Three Climate types
Tropical, dry, and Mid-Latitude
The __________ are all the land and water on Earth situated between 23 1/2 degrees N latitude and 23 1/2 degrees S latitude.
Tropics
A government in which all key powers are given to the national or central government.
Unitary System
Most of Earth's surface is covered with __________.
Water
Regular movement of water from ocean to air to ground and back to the ocean.
Water Cycle
Chemical or physical processes, such as freezing, that break down rocks.
Weathering
Florida an example of what geographical feature?
a peninsula
The amount of water on the Earth _____. a. remains constant b. is held in the four oceans c. changes from season to season d. is mostly fresh water
a. remains constant
People who live in the tropics probably _____.
build houses that let in breezes
The continents move as a result of what? a. the force of water b. volcanic eruptions c. movement of the Earth's crust d. earthquake activity
c. movement of the Earth's crust
With today's technology, what are people from different regions able to do? a. speak different languages b. shop at the same store c. change the geography of their region d. share ideas and culture
d. share ideas and culture
What influences climate?
latitude, sunlight, the movement of the Earth (ALL)
What are fossil fuels?
resources made from dead animals and plants
The prime meridian divides the Earth into _____.
two hemispheres
What causes erosion?
water and wind
