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Chapter 1 Vocabulary
World Geography
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Gis | A geographic information system, which uses computer technology to collect and analyze data abut the earths surface in order to solve geographic problems |
Absolute location | the position on the earth in which a place can be found |
Hemisphere | A half of the earth the equator divides the earth into northern and southern hemispheres the prime meridian divides the earth into eastern and western hemispheres. |
Relative location | the position of a place in relation to another place |
Character of a place | The physical and human characteristics that help to distinguish a place from other places |
Perception | a viewpoint that is influenced by ones own culture and experiences. |
formal region | a group of places that have similar attributes for example a political region |
Functional Region | a group of places connected by movement for example the region drained by the amazon river and its tributaries. |
Perceptual Region | a group of places that is defined by peoples feelings and attitudes. |
Geography | is the study of where people, places, and things are located and how they relate to each other. |
core | center of the earth consists of very hot metal, mainly iron mixed with some nickel. |
mantle | a thick layer of rock |
crust | is surprisingly thin, like frosting on a cake |
lithosphere | the surface features of the earth, including soil, rocks, and land forms |
atmosphere | the layer of gases, water vapor, and other substances above the earth |
hydrosphere | the water contained in oceans, lakes, rivers, and under the ground |
biosphere | is the world of plants, animals, and other living things that occupy the land and waters of the planet |
continent | large landmasses in the oceans seven large landmasses of the earths surface africa, antarctica, asia, australia, europe, north america, and south america |
relief | the difference in elevation or height of the landforms in any particular area |
plate tectonics | theory that the earths outer shell is composed of a number of large unanchored plates or slabs of rock, whose constant movement explains earthquakes and volcanic activity |
continental drift theory | the idea that continents slowly shift their positions due to movement of the tectonic plates on which they ride |
Ring of fire | a ring of volcanic mountains surrounding the pacific ocean |
weathering | chemical or mechanical process by which rock is gradually broken down, eventually becoming soil |
mechanical weathering | the actual breaking up or physical weakening of rock by forces such as ice and roots |
chemical weathering | the process by which the actual chemical structure of rock is changed, usually when water and carbon dioxide cause a breakdown of the rock |
acid rain | rain whose high concentration of chemicals, usually from industrial pollution, pollutes water, kills plant and animal life, and eats away at the surface of stone and rock; a form of chemical weathering |
erosion | the movement of weathered materials, including gravel, soil, and sand, usually caused by water, wind, and glaciers. |
sediment | particle fo soil and rock carried and deposited by water, wind, or ice. |
loess | fine grained mineral-rich loam, dust, or silt deposition by the wind |
glacier | a huge slow-moving mass of snow and ice |
moraine | a ridgelike mass of rock, gravel, sand, and clay carried and deposited by a glacier |