Geography - Content Assessment

What are the categories of projection when it comes to maps

* Mercator projection most common and convenient projections of the world. A disadvantage of Mercator projection is it significantly distorts the size of land masses - Conformal projection preserves angular relations among areas. - Equal-area projections, relative size of geographical features is preserved. Disadvantage is they distort shapes of land masses and bodies of water. - Equidistant projections, preserve distances from a given point, which are placed at center of the map. An equidistant projection with Los Angeles as the center will be drawn so both San Francisco and Las Vegas are shown at accurate distances from Los Angeles, using same scale. Disadvantage is distances from other places are not accurate. In this example, distance between San Francisco and Las Vegas will be less accurate because scale is based on distance from Los Angeles. - Gnomonic projections, preserve accurate directions from a point. Scale of gnomonic projection changes based on distance from point, and distortion of shapes is greatest for areas furthest from that point.

Geography Location

- Absolute location: Measured by applying Earth's grid system: lines of latitude and longitude. Lines of latitude, run east-west but measure distance north and south. Lines of longitude run north-south but measure distance east and west. Longitude and latitude measure in degrees, minutes, and seconds, with equator as zero degrees latitude and prime meridian, running through Greenwich, England, as zero degrees longitude - Relative location refers to relationship between one geographical feature with another. Paris, is in northern section or Ile de France region of the country of France, along the River Seine.

Geography: Place Theme

- Area defined by unique features. Described in terms of physical and human characteristics - New York is a place that can be described by mountains, rivers, beaches, topography, animal plant life of the region as well as culture, architecture, food, transportation systems

Region

- Area of Earth that is defined by characteristics, which may be human, physical, or cultural. Continents, cities, oceans, and "Deep South" are all examples of regions.

What are the main resource tools that are used

- Atlases: Collections of maps - Almanacs: Annual reports containing astronomical and meteorological information for the upcoming year - Gazetteers and geographic dictionaries: Sources that name and describe places, including location, population, and key physical features

Weather

- Atmospheric conditions over short period of time - For example, snow on Monday or a rainy week in July are examples of weather - Other examples of weather are cloud cover, winds, flooding, and heat waves.

Climate

- Average weather conditions in an area over longer period of time - Air temperature and precipitation are two most common characteristics used to describe climate. In California, summers are hot and dry and winters are mild but wet; this is known as a Mediterranean climate - Climate affects vegetation and natural resources of an area, knowing climactic patterns allows societies to plan interactions with the environment.

Ethnocentrism

- Bias toward viewing and/or evaluating other cultures against one's own - Involves feeling that one's own culture is superior to others

Bays

- Bodies of water forming indentation of the shoreline - Usually larger than cove but smaller than a gulf

Weather Conditions

- Caused by solar energy in atmosphere, which causes air to move - Winds develop due to differences in atmospheric pressure between two places, blowing from areas of high to areas of low pressure - Path of wind is determined by rotation of the Earth - Dry air blows out over oceans, moisture is carried from oceans over land. Humidity is a measure of water content in the air. Clouds form when water-vapor molecules condense around particles of matter, and precipitation occurs when pressure from water-vapor molecules exceeds saturation point of the air

What sources of governmental data do we use to study a geographical area

- Census data: Demographic information collected every 10 years - Government: Reports from federal agencies such as U.S. Geological Survey or the Forest Service - Artifacts: Maps, photographs, human-made tools and objects - Satellite images and aerial photographs: Show landmasses, bodies of water, weather patterns, and other geographical information

Demographic Cycle

- Cyclical changes in population growth as a country or region grows. Researchers identify five phases + High stationary (birth and death rates about equal, and both high) + Early expanding (birth rate remains high while death rate declines) + Late expanding (death rate continues to decline, birth rate begins to decline) + Low stationary (birth and death rates about equal, and both low) Declining (death rate higher than birth rate)

Non-Energy Mineral Resources

- Diamonds: Found southern Africa, southeastern Australia, Russia, Canada. - Uranium: Canada and Australia account for half of world's uranium. Others include Kazakhstan, Russia, Namibia and Niger. 2% is mined in United States. - Nickel: 40% is produced in Russia. Eastern Canada, Indonesia, Micronesia, southeastern Australia, Cuba, and Colombia all produce nickel. - Copper: Chile, United States, Peru account for 1/2 of the world's copper production - Bauxite (Aluminum ore): Australia produce 1/3. AChina, Brazil, Guinea, India, Vietnam account for largest bauxite reserves. - Lead: 1/2 is produced from recycled scrap. Leaders include Australia, China, United States, which together account for more than half of world's production. Peru, Canada, Mexico, Sweden, Morocco, South Africa, North Korea are also high in production.

Deforestation

- Eliminating trees reduces amount of oxygen and increases carbon dioxide in the environment. Deforestation can lead to ozone depletion - Occurs when trees are cut for timber greater than they can be replaced. Russia, Brazil, United States are experiencing deforestation, as are some tropical regions. Sustained management is one way to manage and reduce this problem.

Volcanoes

- Erupt when movement between tectonic plates generates molten rock (magma), which travels from core toward surface and then spills - Volcano is the vent where lava emerges. When the lava cools to form rock, it alters surrounding landforms and creates new landforms - Hawaiian Islands are landforms that developed from cooled lava around a volcanic vent.

How are mountains formed and what are the five categories

- Formed when two plates collide and land areas are uplifted - Fold mountains: Most common type of mountains. Formed due to collision of two plates, causing folding of Earth's crust. Fold that descends on both sides is called anticline, and fold that ascends from a low point is called syncline. - Fault-block mountains: Formed when blocks of rock materials slide along faults in Earth's crust. Two types of block mountains, lifted and tilted. Lifted mountain has two steep sides; a tilted mountain has one steep side and a gentle sloping side. - Volcanic mountains: Formed when volcanic magma erupts and piles up on surface of Earth - Dome mountains: Formed when hot magma rises from mantle and uplifts overlying sedimentary layer of the Earth's crust. Magma is not erupted, but cools down and forms core of the mountain. Called dome mountains due to appearance that resembles dome shape - Plateau mountains: Pseudo mountains form because of erosion. Occur near the fold mountain ranges

Technologies used to study geographical data

- Geographic information systems (GIS): Database software that includes geographical information that tag an item in space. Contemporary maps are created digitally by using GIS. GIS can be used for a variety of purposes, including calculating population density, surveying land or geographical features, or monitoring environmental conditions. - Global positioning systems (GPS): Navigational devices that determine absolute position based on signals from satellites. GPS devices assist drivers to navigate place to place, runners determine their current pace, and scientists take measurements of the environment.

Examples of Lakes and Seas

- Great Lakes in northern United States and southern Canada (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Superior, Erie) - Great Lakes of Africa, largest of which is Lake Victoria - Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan; considered a lake; others consider it a small ocean or a sea) - Dead Sea (Israel and Jordan; considered saltwater lake) - Aral Sea (Russia)

Examples of Plains

- Great Plains (part of American Interior plains, east of Rocky Mountains extending from Alberta to Texas) - Atlantic Coastal Plain (eastern shore of North America, extending from Nova Scotia to Florida) - Indo-Gangetic Plain (south of Himalayan mountains) - European Plain (from Pyrenees Mountains to Ural Mountains in Russia) - Pampas Plain (southeastern South America, largely Argentina) - West Siberian Plain (in Central Russia) - North China Plain (along the Yellow Sea)

Crop Rotation

- Growing a series of dissimilar crops in the area in sequential seasons. Rotation allows farmers to avoid build up of pathogens and pests that occur when one species is continuously cropped

Artificial boundaries

- Have no geographical feature marking borders; marker is determined/created by humans. Artificial boundaries sometimes follow specific latitude or longitude lines, and fences and walls are built at a line—to keep citizens in and isolated or keep people out - Great Wall of China is example of a fortified artificial boundary that was built to protect China from invaders. - Berlin Wall was a artificial boundary that marked the separation of East and West Germany.

Typical climactic patterns in various parts of the world

- High temperatures and tropical climates occur near the equator, where the sun is high in the sky, solar radiation is high all year, and the air can hold a lot of moisture. Trade winds from north and south converge and appear to blow west, due to the Coriolis Effect - Near oceans, tends to be moderate because heat from sun is absorbed and stored by the water - Desert climates are found on western sides of continents, where cold ocean currents cool atmosphere and reduce precipitation - Warm mid-latitude climates occur in subtropical areas on eastern side of contents - Mountainous areas tend to be colder than flatlands.

Examples of Mountain Ranges

- Himalayas (Asia)—Mount Everest is highest mountain in this range - Alps (south Central Europe)—Mont Blanc is highest mountain; Matterhorn is another well-known mountain in this range - Andes (western South America)—Peaks include Aconcagua and Cerro Bonete. - Rockies (Western North America)—Home to many major national parks in U.S. and Canada, Rocky mountain Range includes Mount Elbert and Pikes Peak - Transarctic (across Antarctica) - Sierra Madres (Mexico)

Natural Energy Resources

- Hydroelectric power: Affects watershed systems in local/regional ecosystems. Issue in areas dependent on water for survival. Producers of hydroelectric power are China, Canada, Brazil, United States, Russia, Norway, India, Venezuela, Japan, and Sweden. Paraguay produces electricity from hydroelectric dams and exports production to Brazil and Argentina. Largest projects are Red Sea Dam in Middle East, Grand Inga Dam in the Congo, Three Gorges Dam and Baihetan Dam in China, Belo Monte Dam in Brazil, Wudongde Dam in China. - Coal: China and United States produce half of the world's supply. Other producers include European Union countries, India, Australia, Russia and South Africa. - Petroleum: Middle East has half of world's petroleum reserves. Leaders: Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Venezuela, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Libya and Nigeria. United States has 2% of world's oil reserves yet imports 20% of world's supply. Middle East is a region with issues regarding religion and cultural differences with major oil importers. Civil strife over religious beliefs, relations with western world, and globalization divide opinion in Middle East. Conflict between Israel and Palestinians influence opinion in region - Natural gas: Half of world's reserves are in the Middle East. Countries include Russia, Iran, Qatar, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Venezuela, Algeria, Iraq. Russia and United States lead in production. United States, Japan, Germany, Italy and Russia lead in imports. United States, European Union, Russia, Arab League nations and Iran lead consumption

Straits

- Narrow waterways joining two larger bodies of water - Strait of Gibraltar connects Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean

Deltas

- Nearly flat plains of alluvial deposit between diverging branches of the mouth of a river - Deltas are often, though not necessarily, triangular

External or exogenic processes

- Occur above Earth's surface. Weathering occurs when rocks on Earth's surface break down as a result of exposure to elements, such as wind, water, gases, changes in temperature - Chemical weathering occurs when elements that compose rock break down. Caves develop as a result of chemical weathering - Mechanical weathering occurs when physical force breaks down rocks. When rocks are weathered, they can be carried from one place to another, through mass movement or by water through process of surface erosion - Glaciers can cause changes in landforms. Known as glaciation, not only shaped landforms of world but affected natural resources. Scientists believe fertility of soil in North America reflects glaciation

Earthquakes

- Occur as a result of tectonic movement - Frequently, occur at fault lines, cracks in rocks that form the Earth's crust - When land fractures around a fault, it can move to a new location - Appalachian Mountains were created as a result of movement at a plate boundary

Internal or endogenic processes

- Occur beneath Earth's surface - Tectonic movement is an endogenic process. Movement in Earth's mantle causes tectonic plates, or pieces of Earth's crust, move horizontally or vertically - Movement of a few centimeters a year is typical, and movement can be vertical or horizontal - Tectonic movement can result in new landforms being developed.

Seafloor Spreading

- Occurs when underwater plates separate - Lava erupts at a plate boundary underwater is cooled by the water and solidifies, forming a new crust

What are the five ocean names and where are they?

- Pacific Ocean (west of Americas east of Asia and Australia) - Atlantic Ocean (eastern Americas to Western Europe and Africa) - Indian Ocean (east of Africa, south of Asia, west of Australia) - Southern Ocean (encircling Antarctica) - Arctic Ocean (Earth's northernmost points)

Natural Resources

- Raw materials created/found naturally in environment and valued and used by humans are distributed throughout the world, typically a product of millions of years of geological activity - Renewable resources are those that can be continually replenished. Examples include sun, air, wind, water, trees, livestock, fish, and grain - Nonrenewable resources are those that can be depleted. Examples include coal, petroleum, gas, and metals such as iron, aluminum, and copper. Renewability is not the same as abundance—some nonrenewable resources are abundant (aluminum, iron), and nonrenewable and renewable resources can be rare

What factors affect climate

- Solar energy, orbit of the Earth, tilt of the Earth on its axis, geological formations

Plant and Animal Resources

- Timber: Largely in United States, India, China, Brazil, Canada, and Russia. - Fish and aquatic plants: 70 countries are identified as harvesting fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Chile, China, Indonesia, Japan, North and South Korea, Philippines are major harvesters of aquatic plants. - Cultivation of crops: Farming occurs across eastern and central United States, Europe, western Russia, India, China, and through southeastern Asia. - Raising animals on rangeland. Ranges are abundant across western United States, Mexico, South America, Russia, Australia, and southern Africa. In developing countries, farming and raising animals is done with hand tools and manual based methods. In developed world, farming and raising animals is mechanized, using high technology

Six Essential Elements of Geography

- World in Spatial Terms: Use maps and other geographic representations, tools, technologies to acquire, process, report information from spatial perspective, mental maps to organize information about people, places, environments in spatial context, analyze spatial organization of people, places, environments - Places and Regions: Physical and human characteristics of places, people create regions to interpret Earth's complexity, culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions - Physical Systems: Physical processes shape patterns, characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems - Human Systems: Characteristics, distribution, migration of human populations, characteristics, distribution, and complexity of cultural mosaics, patterns and networks of economic interdependence, processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement, forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence division and control, actions modify physical environment - Environment and Society: physical systems affect human systems, changes occur in meaning, use, distribution, importance of resources - Use of Geography: Apply geography to interpret past, present, and plan for future

New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula are located in which of the following physiographic regions? A. Coastal Plain B. Blue Ridge Mountains C. Appalachian Highlands D. Interior Plains

A. Coastal Plain Atlantic Coastal Plain extends from eastern Canada to Florida. New Jersey, along with the peninsula containing the eastern shore of Maryland, Delaware, and a small part of Virginia, lies adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean.

Which of the following classroom lessons best illustrates the geographical concept of central place theory? A. Discussing the maximum range of influence of a local newspaper B. Lecture on the doubling time for a region's population C. Reading a novel portraying the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland D. Discussing interaction of the Navajo with Anglo settlers in Arizona

A. Discussing the maximum range of influence of a local newspaper A local newspaper is distributed from a central place to surrounding areas. In central place theory, it is assumed that any good or service provided by a town or city has a constant range over which its sale could extend.

"Knowledge of the characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth's surface" is an appropriate learning objective for which of the following essential elements of geography? A. Human systems B. Places and regions C. Uses of geography D. Environment and society

A. Human systems Human systems emphasizes culture and encompasses topics such as the distribution and movement of human population.

A discussion of "overfishing to the point in which certain species of fish are captured at a rate faster than their rate of natural birth" best illustrates the concept of: A. Maximum sustainable yield B. Interdependence C. Carrying capacity D. Demographic cycle.

A. Maximum sustainable yield Determining extent to which a species can be removed before facing extinction is sort of study that scientists interested in maximum sustainable yield might undertake.

Which of the following is not a major physiographic environmental region of Ecuador and Peru? A. Patagonian Plateau B. Amazonian lowlands C. Andean highlands D. Pacific coastal plains

A. Patagonian Plateau Patagonian Plateau is located in Argentina and Chile.

The largest country in Northern Eurasia is: A. Russia B. Ukraine C. Georgia D. Siberia

A. Russia Russia has largest landmass of the countries listed here

Most of the forest land that has disappeared from Earth over the last few centuries was due to: A. The spread of agriculture B. Forest fires C. Various plant diseases D. Logging.

A. The spread of agriculture Naturally forested lands generally have arable soils, which can be used for intense crop production.

Terracing is popular in the Peruvian Andes because: A. This farming method allows for maximum crop output for such rugged terrain B. This method of crop rotation is most economical C. Little can be done in the area of sewage management D. The use of plows and other agricultural methods allows Peruvians to efficiently mass produce crops.

A. This farming method allows for maximum crop output for such rugged terrain Terracing is an agricultural method used to transform hilly areas into level land suitable for growing crops.

Carrying Capacity

Ability of land to hold a population, or size of the population an environment can support. If a population grows beyond the carrying capacity of the environment, death rate typically increases and/or resources are depleted.

Irrigation

Affects overall species distribution when water is diverted from wetlands

Scientists concerned about global warming tend to pay the greatest attention to world concentrations of which of the following gases? A. Hydrogen B. Carbon dioxide C. Oxygen D. Nitrogen

B. Carbon dioxide

Which is a collection of demographic information that is gathered every ten years in United States and is used to count the population? A. Cartogram B. Census data C. Geographic information systems D. Enumeration

B. Census data Census data on the size and characteristics of the population is collected every ten years in the United States.

Which of the following is the best example of a landform surface region? A. Rust Belt B. Coastal Plain C. Confederate South D. French Canada

B. Coastal Plain As a region, Coastal Plain has several shared physical characteristics (habitat, climate, and geology); French Canada, the Confederate South, and the Rust Belt are better defined by their human characteristics.

Regions are: A. Never political B. Defined by distinctive characteristics or features that are shared within a common area on Earth C. Recognized by scholars only D. Delineated by groups that insist on total agreement.

B. Defined by distinctive characteristics or features that are shared within a common area on Earth Regions are areas with shared characteristics.

A road map of Columbia, Missouri, is a smaller scale map than a map showing the entire United States. A. True B. False

B. False False is the correct answer because the larger the area represented on a map, the smaller the scale of the map.

The Appalachians, the European Alps, and the Himalayas are examples of mountain ranges best described as formed by: A. Volcanic eruptions B. Faulting and folding C. Divergent plate boundaries D. Normal faults

B. Faulting and folding Breaking and bending of rock occur during faulting and folding play a major role in formation of these mountains.

A computer-based processing tool for gathering, manipulating, and analyzing geographic information is called a: A. Global positioning system B. Geographic information system C. Closed system D. Cartographic projection system.

B. Geographic information system

When determining whether a landform should be classified as a mountain, a geographer should consider which of the following? A. Was it formed by a glacier? B. How far does it rise above the land that surrounds it? C. How old is it and what is its mineral content? D. Is it at least 1,000 feet high?

B. How far does it rise above the land that surrounds it? Relative vertical elevation is best indicator of whether something is a mountain or hill. Absolute elevation is less critical. If a mountain were classified by whether it is 1,000 feet above sea level, western Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma would be considered mountain areas.

The tremendous damage from Hurricane Katrina best exemplifies which of the following geographic themes? A. Regions B. Human-environment interaction C. Movement D. Place

B. Human-environment interaction

Soil degradation contributed to the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. Which of the following statements best explains why many people from these regions migrated west to California in the 1930s? A. These families were trained to work in the lumber mills across Southern California B. Most of these families were farmers and perceived that California offered them the best economic opportunities C. These families rushed west hoping to work in California's gold mines D. These families headed to California in hopes of getting on government assistance programs.

B. Most of these families were farmers and perceived that California offered them the best economic opportunities Many Dust Bowl migrants hoped to obtain the land needed to resume agricultural production once they arrived in California.

What is our most important renewable energy source? A. Soil B. Sun C. Fossil fuels D. Coal

B. Sun The sun is the Earth's primary source of light and heat. Without either of these, it would be impossible for life to exist.

Winds are deflected by ________, which is caused by the rotation of Earth. A. The greenhouse effect B. The Coriolis effect C. Gyres D. The Milankovitch cycle

B. The Coriolis effect

Which of the following statements best explains why water, forests, and wildlife are renewable resources? A. They are not being used up as quickly as nonrenewable resources. B. They can be continually replenished through natural processes C. They are essential for life D. They are not replaced by nature after being used.

B. They can be continually replenished through natural processes Water, forests, and wildlife are examples of life forms that are capable of reproducing.

Genetic engineering

Benefits of crop breeding include producing species that can grow in harsh climate zones

Which of the following statements about map projections is true? A. In a Mercator projection scale is the same at all latitudes B. Conformal projections show areas with correct size relative to one another C. An equal-area projection would retain correct country size, but would distort shape, distance, and direction D. A cartogram is the only type of map on which size, shape, distance, and direction are all accurate.

C. An equal-area projection would retain correct country size, but would distort shape, distance, and direction Equal-area projections most accurately represent size of place.

How does the climate of Central America's Caribbean coast differ from the climate on the Pacific coast? A. Caribbean coast has a dry climate, Pacific coast has a tropical wet and dry climate B. Caribbean coast has a tropical wet climate, Pacific coast has a semiarid climate C. Caribbean coast has a tropical wet climate, Pacific coast has a tropical wet and dry climate D. Caribbean coast has a tropical wet climate, Pacific coast has a dry climate.

C. Caribbean coast has a tropical wet climate, Pacific coast has a tropical wet and dry climate Pacific Coast of Central America receives a measure of dry air that is absent along Caribbean coast of region, which receives flows of warm, humid air from the South American continent.

Both warm air and warm water generally flow: A. From the poles toward the equator B. From high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas C. From the equator to the poles D. Straight because of the Coriolis Effect.

C. From the equator to the poles Equator receives most direct sunlight of any area on Earth, air flows flow from areas toward cooler areas with less direct sunlight.

Huge expanses of commercial forest are found in which region? A. Arctic tundra of Alaska B. Colorado Plateau of the United States C. Great European Plain D. Pampas of Argentina

C. Great European Plain Great European Plain has large areas of forest lands. Argentine Pampas is primarily grassland; Arctic tundra is a barren, treeless plain; Colorado Plateau is a semi-arid region with limited tree growth.

Which of the following questions best illustrates the essential geographic element of places and regions? A. By what geographical processes were the Hawaiian Islands formed? B. What are the measures of longitude and latitude for your house C. How is the Pacific Coast of the United States similar to or different from the Atlantic Coast? D. How does climate near equator affect human settlement in the area?

C. How is the Pacific Coast of the United States similar or different from the Atlantic Coast? "How is the Pacific Coast of the United States similar to or different from the Atlantic Coast?" is the best answer because it asks about a comparison between two regions.

Construction of dams and canals to irrigate desert regions is an example of the geographic theme of: A. Region B. Location C. Human-environment interaction D. Place

C. Human-environment interaction When humans alter flow of water, they are interacting with environment. The resulting environmental changes affect human behavior, including where they live and how they farm.

A geographer would most likely use a GPS for which of the following tasks? A. Determine whether a community needs to build a new school B. Study the ocean floor C. Identify a particular location D. Chart the growth of a city

C. Identify a particular location GPS devices rely on radio signals broadcast from satellites to help pinpoint locations.

A geographer would most likely use sonar for which of the following tasks? A. Preparing a detailed road map B. Mapping the population density of an area C. Mapping a section of the ocean floor D. Identifying changes in land use over time

C. Mapping a section of the ocean floor Sonar is commonly employed to measure underwater objects using sound waves.

All of the following are accurate statements about weather and climate except: A. Precipitation depends on air temperature and winds B. Coastal areas usually have milder climates than do areas at the same latitude inland C. Most areas with continental climates have a mild, humid climate all year long D. Ocean waters help to distribute the sun's heat.

C. Most areas with continental climates have a mild, humid climate all year long Continental climate regions have cold winters and warm to hot summers.

How are natural resources distributed throughout the world? A. Most natural resources are found in developed nations. B. Natural resources are distributed evenly among all nations. C. Natural resources are spread out unevenly around the Earth. D. Most natural resources lie beneath the ocean floor.

C. Natural resources are spread out unevenly around the Earth. Crops and animals can only be raised in regions with appropriate climates, and minerals and energy resources only exist in regions where physical processes have been conducive to their formation.

Movement

Changes in location, whether large or small and also ways in which goods and ideas shared across cultures, eras, geographical areas. Movement occurs when American designers adopt European fashion trends.

Ethnic Seperatism

Creation of distinct groups or cultures based on ethnicity. Battle between Hutu and the Tutsis in Rwanda is an example; system of apartheid prevailed for many years in South Africa is another.

Where do most people in Europe and the United States live? A. Most people in Europe and the United States live in the west, where climates are milder B. Europeans live on farms, while most Americans live in cities C. The populations in both Europe and the United States are spread evenly throughout the two regions D. Both Europeans and Americans live mainly in urban areas.

D. Both Europeans and Americans live mainly in urban areas. In the world today, a substantial majority of people in most developed countries live in urban areas.

A map that accurately portrays land shape is called a/an: A. Equal area projection B. Equidistant projection C. Azimuthal projection D. Conformal projection

D. Conformal projection

Which characteristic would NOT be included in a description of place? A. Lancaster County's rolling dairy farmland in east-central Pennsylvania B. Minnesota's thousands of lakes that freeze every winter C. Sacramento Mountains of southern New Mexico D. Daily commute time in Chicago

D. Daily commute time in Chicago Daily commute time best exemplifies the geographic theme of movement.

The boundary where Earth's plates are spreading apart is called a: A. Transformational boundary B. Vertical boundary C. Convergent boundary D. Divergent boundary.

D. Divergent boundary Divergent plate boundaries occur where tectonic plates are moving away from each other

Desert and tundra regions are alike in which of the following ways? A. Both areas are subject to unexpected weather changes B. The few animals that are native to each region live very short lives C. In both regions, plants and animals have to be able to survive without water D. In both regions, only plants that can adjust to extreme temperatures are able to survive.

D. In both regions, only plants that can adjust to extreme temperatures are able to survive. Where tundra regions have extremely cold climates, desert regions have extremely hot and dry climates. Only highly adaptable species of plants and animals can survive in these climate regions.

Which of the following statements about land degradation is true? A. It is a natural phenomenon B. It is a necessary consequence of economic globalization C. It only occurs at a global scale D. It may be avoided through land use systems that employ resources in a sustainable way

D. It may be avoided through land use systems that employ resources in a sustainable way Land degradation is a process that renders land unsuitable for crop production. By using the earth's resources in a sustainable way, land can be productively employed for much longer periods than would otherwise be the case.

Which of the following is the best example of human-environment interaction? A. Recent opening of several new restaurants in a neighborhood B. Two cultures becoming more similar as a result of interacting with one another C. Latitudinal and longitudinal location of Little Rock, Arkansas D. Law requiring all highway bridges be earthquake retrofitted by 2014

D. Law requiring all highway bridges be earthquake retrofitted by 2014 The retrofitting of bridges is a human adaption of the environment to minimize damage in the event of an earthquake.

In geography, movement usually refers to: A. Relative locations of places on earth B. Birthrates, death rates, and family size C. Environmental changes D. Migration of people, goods, and ideas.

D. Migration of people, goods, and ideas. Movement includes the ways that people move from place to place as the diffusion of goods and ideas.

Why did many cities emerge along the fall line in the southern United States? A. The rich foliage and soil attracted textile entrepreneurs to the area. B. The high elevation and pleasant climate was attractive to many entrepreneurs C. The color of the trees in autumn was rumored to attract tourists from all over the world D. Mills powered by fast-moving streams and waterfalls were built along the fall line.

D. Mills powered by fast-moving streams and waterfalls were built along the fall line. Most early mills in the country were constructed near water sources capable of generating the power required for factory operations. The developments of such factories in fall line areas provided the basis for urbanization.

Lines of constant latitude and longitude are also known as: A. Date lines and meridians B. Verticals and horizontals C. Meridians and axes D. Parallels and meridians

D. Parallels and meridians All lines of latitude are parallel circles; meridians run across the Earth's surface from pole to pole.

Why are people unevenly distributed throughout the world? A. People prefer to live in warm areas near the equator B. People generally live in cultural regions that value individual achievement C. Most people live in regions that have coal and iron ore deposits D. People tend to cluster in places that have rich soil, fresh water, and mild climates.

D. People tend to cluster in places that have rich soil, fresh water, and mild climates. Throughout world, humans feel secure living in or near areas where conditions permit the production of necessary food sources.

Which method of data acquisition is not considered a form of remote sensing? A. Landsat satellite data B. Weather satellite data C. Aerial photography D. Rain gauge data

D. Rain gauge data

Regions on rain-shadow (downwind) side of mountains are generally: A. Tundra B. Mediterranean C. Humid continental D. Semi-arid

D. Semi-arid Windward side of a coastal mountain faces ocean and absorbs precipitation from sea. As air coming off the ocean rises and cools on the windward side of a mountain, the process causes precipitation. Once air passes over windward side, most rain has fallen and downwind side of the mountain is much drier.

Which statement best describes the relative location of Spain and Portugal? A. Spain is located west of Italy and Portugal is located east of Italy B. Spain and Portugal are located north of France C. Spain is located north of France and Portugal is located south of France D. Spain and Portugal are both located west of Italy

D. Spain and Portugal are both located west of Italy Spain Portugal located south of France and west of Italy

Which area is not a part of Great Britain? A. Northern Ireland B. Wales C. Scotland D. The Republic of Ireland

D. The Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland is independent of Great Britain.

Which of these features is not associated with plateaus? A. They can be flat-topped mountains B. They are elevated C. They have some common characteristics to plains D. They are depressions in the land

D. They are depressions in the land Plateaus are high plains or flat-topped mountains. Plateaus are level land areas. Plateaus are similar to but higher in elevation than plains.

Which of the following statements best describes an artificial boundary? A. They are created to divide distinct cultural groups B. They are created as the result of a natural geographic process C. The Berlin Wall was an artificial boundary D. They tend to be linear have no geographical or cultural feature marking them.

D. They tend to be linear have no geographical or cultural feature marking them Artificial boundaries are arbitrary lines often drawn along lines of latitude and/or longitude to establish the border between two places.

Dam Construction

Dams alter watershed areas, affecting the balance of nature for the ecosystem

Basins

Depressions or hollows in the Earth's surface, wholly or partly surrounded by higher land

The atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere are examples of: A. Biotic systems B. Volcanic systems C. Longitudinal systems D. Latitudinal systems E. Abiotic systems

E. Abiotic systems

Renewable energy sources include all of the following except ________ power. A. Tidal B. Hydroelectric C. Solar D. Wind E. Nuclear

E. Nuclear Nuclear energy requires the use of highly enriched uranium, a non-renewable resource.

Maximum sustainable yield

Greatest amount of a species that can be removed and still replaced in natural order. If hunters or fishermen trap, kill, or collect animals beyond maximum sustainable yield, species will die out because capture rate exceeds the natural birth rate.

Built Environment

Human-designed and developed environment, which include physical structures and organizations. Urbanization is, in part, the process of developing a built environment.

Central Place Theory

In an unevenly distributed population, settlements arise to serve as "central places," which produce goods and services for the surrounding more disparate areas.

Doubling Time

In population studies, the amount of time for the population to double, if rate of growth remains constant

Cultural Convergence

Interaction among cultures and in some cases adaptation or accommodation, such that initially distinct cultures become more similar as a result of that interaction

Archipelagoes

Large groups or chains of islands

What is a second name for Longitude and Lattitude

Lines of latitude: Parallels, east-west but measure distance north and south Lines of longitude: Meridians, run north-south but measure distance east and west

Five Fundamental themes of Geography

Location, Place, Human-Environment Interaction, Movement, Region

Complementarity

Mutual dependence among regions. Dry regions and wet regions are complementary in that each produces goods that the other needs.

Isthmuses

Narrow strips of land, bordered on both sides by water, connecting two larger bodies of land

What are the different bodies of water in the world

Oceans: Vast bodies of water, covering approximately 75% of the Earth Rivers: Streams of water flowing over land through channels and emptying into large bodies of water such as oceans or gulfs Lakes and Seas: Lakes are sizable bodies of water surrounded by land. Saltwater lakes are considered seas. Some use term sea to refer to oceans or parts of oceans as well

Harbors

Parts of a body of water along shore deep enough for anchoring a ship - Harbors protected from winds, waves, currents by other natural or geographical coastal features

Capes

Pieces of land jutting into sea or other large body of water

Peninsulas

Pieces of land that project into bodies of water and connected with a larger landmass

What are the different landforms in the world

Plains: Plains are broad flat stretches of land. Plains are often called prairies Mountain Ranges: Groups or chains of high, steep landforms Plateaus: Also known as high plains or flat-topped mountains Valleys: Depressions in the land between higher areas, such as mountains. Some are formed by flow of rivers, whereas others are formed by glaciers

Gulfs

Portions of an ocean or sea partially enclosed by land

Assimilation

Process of integrating an organism into a new community. Immigrants are generally assimilated into majority culture of the area in which they live. Plants or animals may also be assimilated into new ecosystems.

Interdependence

Relation among parts of an ecological or cultural system, where each part plays role that affects other parts

Cultural Diffusion

Spread of ideas or behaviors associated with one culture to another culture

Ecology

Study of ecosystems (physical environment and biological community it supports). Coral reefs and deserts are examples

Examples of rivers

The Amazon River in Brazil The Nile River in Egypt The Yukon River in Alaska/Canada The Mississippi River in the United States The Yellow River in China The Indus River in Pakistan/India The Ganges River in India

Examples of Valleys

The Rhine and Rhone Valleys in France The Grand Canyon in the United States The Rio Grande Valley in the United States

Examples of Plateaus

The Tibetan Plateau (Central Asia) The Colorado Plateau (United States) The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (China) The Siberian Traps (Russia)

Habitat

The environment in which an organism is naturally found

Terracing

Used in mountainous areas for growth of crops

Human Environment Interaction

Ways where people depend on and adapt to environment as well as the ways they alter the environment, both intentionally and unintentionally