Term | Definition |
1) Geography | The study of the earths surface and the processes that shape it, the connections between places,and the complex relationships between people and their environment |
2) GIS | A geoographic information system which users computer technology to collect and analyze data about the earths surface in order to solve geographic problems |
3) Absolute location | The position on the earth in which a place can be found |
4) Hemisphere | A half of the earth |
5) Relative location | The position of a place in relation to another place |
6) Character of a place | The physical and human characteristics that help to distinguish a place from other places |
7) Perception | A viewpoint that is influenced by ones own culture and experiences |
8) Formal Region | A group of places that have similar attributes for example a political region |
9) Functional region | A group of places connected by movement |
10) Perceptual Region | A group of places that is defined by peoples feelings and attitudes |
11) Core | The earths center consisting of very hot metal that is dense and solid in the inner core and molten or liquid in the outer core |
12) mantle | A thick layer of mostly solid rock beneath the earths crust that surrounds the earths core |
13) crust | The solid rocky surface layer of the earth |
14) lithosphere | The surface features of the earth including soil, rocks and landforms |
15) atmosphere | The layer of gases water vapor and other substances above the earth |
16) hydrosphere | The water contained in oceans, lakes, rivers, and under the ground |
17) biosphere | The world of plants animals and other living things in earths land and waters |
18) continent | Any of the seven large landmasses of the earths surface africa antarctica asia australia europe north america and south america |
19) relief | The differences in elevation or height of the landforms in any particular area |
20) plate tectonics | The 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 |
21) Continental drift theory | the idea that continents slowly shift thier positions due to movement of the tectonic plates on which they ride |
22) ring of fire | A ring of volcanic mountains surrounding the Pacific ocean |
23) weathering | The chemical or mechanical process by which rock is gradually broken down , eventually becoming soil |
24) mechanical weathering | The actual breaking up or physical weakening of rock by forces such as ice and roots |
25) 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 |
26) 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 |
27) Erosion | The movement of weathered materials including gravel soil and sand usually caused by water wind and glaciers |
28) Sediment | Particles of soil and rock carried and deposited by water wind or ice |
29) loess | Fine grained mineral rich loam dust or silt deposited by the wind |
30) glacier | A huge slow moving mass of snow and ice |
31) moraine | A ridge like mass of rock gravel sand and clay carried and deposited by a glacier |