Physical Regions

Island Body of land surrounded by water.

Archipelago A group of Islands in a large body of water; the body of water in which these islands lie.

Atoll a ring-shaped coral reef including a coral rim that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.

Continent Seven large land masses of the globe.

Coastal Plain A stretch of lowland along a sea coast which slopes gently towards the sea.

Plain A large area of flat land with few trees.

River A large narrow stream of water.

Delta A triangular shaped area of land formed by a river that opens into the sea.

Tributary A Small river that feeds into a larger river or lake. The Mississippi River has many tributaries that feed into it. Ohio, Illinois, Arkansas, Red and Missouri Rivers and, indirectly, such major Ohio River tributaries as the Allegheny, Tennessee, and Wabash rivers.

Strait A small strip of water connecting two larger bodies of water together.

Bay An arm of the sea extending into land, not of any definite form but smaller than a gulf

Gulf A portion of an ocean or sea partly enclosed by land, larger than a bay.

Sea Great body of salt water.

Ocean A very large expanse of sea, in particular, each of the main areas into which the sea is divided geographically.

Ocean Current The steady flow of ocean water in a prevailing direction.

Glacier A slowly moving mass or river of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow on mountains or near the poles.

Valley An area of lower land between two lines of hills or mountains, usually with a river flowing through it.

Canyon A deep valley with steep sides; can be formed by a river.

Mesa A landform with a relative flat top; table land smaller than a plateau

Plateau A land area with a very level surface considerably raised above adjoining land on at least one side.

Butte a prominent isolated hill with steep sides and a small, flat top. It is much smaller than a Mesa.

Peninsula A piece of land surrounded by water on three sides; connected to the mainland.

Cape A piece of land jutting into a large body of water.

Isthmus A narrow strip of land bordered by two bodies of water connecting two land forms.

Mountain A large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level; a large steep hill.

Mountain Range A series of mountains connected in a line

Mountain Pass A passage over a mountain barrier

Divide A ridge dividing two adjacent drainage basins.

Volcano A vent in the earth's crust where lava and other substances are ejected.

Desert Area with dry and barren weather.