Geography Terms Social Studies

Bay A bay is a body of water that is partly enclosed by land (and is usually smaller than a gulf).

Desert A desert is a region of little rainfall where few plants and animals live.

        Gulf A gulf is a part of the ocean (or sea) that is partly surrounded by land (it is usually larger than a bay).

Island An island is a piece of land that is surrounded by water.

     Isthmus An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses. An isthmus has water on two sides.

    Peninsula A peninsula is a body of land that is surrounded by water on three sides.

Absolute Location Definition: A point on the earth's surface expressed by a coordinate system such as latitude and longitude. Examples: Atlanta is 90˚ N and 120 ˚W

Relative Location Definition: A location of a place in relation to another place (i.e. south or downhill). Examples: LMS is right next to Kroger on highway 78. Kroger is across the street from Burger King.

Latitude Latitude is the angular distance north or south from the equator to a particular location.

Longitude measures west and east but the lines go north to south.