Geography Vocabulary: Study Guide

a group or chain of islands archipelago a group or chain of islands

climate a weather pattern over a LONG period of time; affected by latitude, elevation, and wind currents

compass rose a pointer for cardinal directions: north, east, south, and west

a triangle-shaped area of land at the mouth of a river delta

very dry, barren land without trees desert very dry, barren land without trees

a map that shows the pattern of something spread over an area distribution map a map that shows the pattern of something spread over an area elephant distribution map

altitude: height above sea level elevation altitude: height above sea level

Equator an imaginary line of latitude; parallel that divides Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres

the relationships between physical features, climate, and people geography the relationships between physical features, climate, and people climate

hemisphere half of a sphere; northern, southern (Equator) and eastern, western (Prime Meridian)

legend; explains symbols on a map map key legend; explains symbols on a map

latitude measures distance north and south of the Equator; expressed in degrees (they run east and west)

longitude measures distance east and west of the Prime Meridian; expressed in degrees (they run north and south)

meridians lines of longitude

non-renewable natural resources that which cannot be easily replaced or never replaced once they are used Ex: fossil fuels: coal, petroleum, natural gas oil coal

a map that shows landforms and bodies of water physical map

highest latitudes north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle polar zones

political map a map that shows borders of countries/states/provinces within a continent or country

divides the Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres Prime Meridian line of longitude;: divides the Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres

renewable natural resources resources that can be used again and again Ex: solar energy, wind, water sun wind water lumber

allows an estimate of real distances on Earth scale allows an estimate of real distances on Earth

temperate zones middle latitudes; hot summers and cold winters; between 23.5 and 66.5 latitude

tropical zone between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; in the low latitudes; hot most of the year

winds from the northeast atmospheric condition which is seen in the environment over a SHORT period of time weather 90° sunny winds from the northeast