Term | Definition |
geography | the study of the world, its people, and the landscapes they create |
region | a part of the world that has one or more common features that distinguished it from surrounding areas |
map | a flat drawing that show all or part of Earth's surface |
landscape | all human and physical features that make it unique |
globe | a spherical, or ball-shaped, model of the entire planet |
absolute location | a specific description--such as an address |
relative location | general description of where a place lies |
physical geography | the study of the world's physical features-its landforms, bodies of water, climate, soils, and plants |
human geography | the study of the world's people, communities, and landscapes |
cartography | the science of making maps |
meteorgraphy | the study of the weather and what causes it |
solar energy | energy from the sun |
rotation | one complete spin of Earth on its axis |
latitude | the distance north and south of Earth equator |
tropics | regions close to the equator |
precipitation | water that falls to Earth's surface as rain, snow, sleet, or rain |
glaciers | large areas of slow-moving ice |
water cycle | the movement of water from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back |
landforms | shapes on the planet's surface |
continents | large landmasses |
lava | magma that reaches Earth's surface |
earthquake | sudden, violent movements of Earth's crust |
weathering | the process by which rock is broken down into smaller pieces |
erosion | the movement of sediment from on location to another |
revolution | the 365 1/4 day trip Earth takes around the sun |