Physical Geography

Topography Shape of land including . . . Elevation Relief Landforms

Elevation Height above sea level for a point on Earth’s surface Altitude is the height above a point on Earth’s surface. If your altitude is > 0, you are in the air!

Difference in elevation between an area’s highest and lowest points Relief Difference in elevation between an area’s highest and lowest points Low Relief (Flat) High Relief (Jagged)

Landform A feature of topography Land area with specific shape and elevation

Plains Flat or gentle rolling (low relief) Low elevation Coastal or Interior

Mountains Rounded or pointed and rise high above surrounding land High elevation High relief

Mountain Range Group of Mountains that formed same way at the same time

Mountain System Group of Mountain Ranges

Mountain Belt Group of Mountain Systems stretching across continents

Plateau Relatively flat area that sits high above sea level High Elevation but Low Relief Can have deep canyons eroded into them

Hill Rounded landform that rises above surrounding land, but not as much as mountains

Valley Lower area, separating hills, mountains, or other high areas

Other names for landforms Lowland – plains with low elevation Upland – area with hilly topography Basin – large, relatively flat area surrounded by mountains

Landform Regions of Contiguous USA Land area made up of mainly one landform Landform Regions of Contiguous USA Atlantic Coastal Plain Colorado Plateau Gulf Coastal Plain Basin and Range Appalachian Mtns Snake River Plateau Ozarks Columbia Plateau Central Plains/Lowlands Cascade Mtns Superior Uplands Sierra Nevada Mtns Great Plains Pacific Coast Mtns Rocky Mtns

Landform Regions of Contiguous USA