Important Geography Terms

N & S Hemisphere and equator – Parts of the globe split by the equator at ZERO degrees latitude

Isthmus – Narrow strip of land that links two larger land masses

Artic Circle – the line of latitude that marks the boundary of the northern polar zone

Island – Landmass surrounded by water

Archipelago – multiple landmasses surrounded by water

Mountain – natural elevation of the earth’s surface (+2000 feet)

River Systems – a main river with others channeling into it

Delta – often triangular shaped deposit of sand that occurs when a river flows into an ocean

Peninsula – Narrow land surrounded by water on three sides

Strait – Narrow piece of water that separates two larger land masses

Plateau – raised area of land with a flat top

Oasis – an isolated spot in the desert where green land and water may be found

Canyon – deep valley with steep sides often with a river flowing through it

Source- the beginning or place of origin of a stream or river

Tributary – a stream that eventually flows into a river

Central (Latin) America Continent – any of seven large land masses on the Earth’s surface Europe Africa North America Asia Sub-continent – an area of land that is part of a continent but is separated by something (landform, language, etc. India Central (Latin) America Australia South America Antarctica