Landforms and Waterways!

Peak A single mountain that has a pointed top

Mountain Range A group of mountains.

Ridge The land along the top of connected mountains.

Glacier A huge, slow-moving mass of ice that flows across land.

Mesa A steep-sided hill that flat on top.

Plateau A large area of highland that is flat on top.

Piedmont A gentle slope leading from the base of mountains to a region of flat land

Valley Area of low land between hills or mountains.

Archipelago A large group of Islands

Peninsula A large arm of land reaching into the water. The land is surrounded on all sides by water except one.

Cape A small arm of land reaching into water. This land is surrounded by water except on one side.

Isthmus A narrow strip of land connecting two larger bodies of land.

Panama Canal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vi19z4LEi0

Oceans The largest body of salt water. There are five oceans on Earth. They are the Atlantic, Southern, Pacific, Indian and Arctic.

Sea A large body of water: smaller than an ocean.

Gulf A large arm of water reaching into the land.

Strait A narrow stretch of water that connects two larger bodies of water.

Lake A body of water completely surrounded by land.

Reservoir A man made lake, where water is stored for future use.

Harbor A sheltered place where ships can anchor safely.

River A long large stream of water.

River Source Where the river begins. (Usually in the mountains)

River Mouth Where the river ends.

Canyon A narrow valley with high, steep sides

Swamps Lowlands that are covered with shallow water. This land is found near the coast.

Sea Level The height of the land is at the same level as the sea.

Coast The land that borders an ocean or sea.

Plain A large area of flat land.

Valley An area of low land that is between hills or mountains

Delta A low triangular plain at the mouth of a river where soil is dropped.

Separate your Index Cards in the Following Groups. Low Lands: Valley, Canyon, Plain, Archipelago, Peninsula, Cape, Isthmus, Coast, Swamps, Sea Level and Delta. Water Ways: Ocean, Sea, Gulf, Bay, Strait, Lake, Reservoir, Harbor, River, Source and Mouth. Land Forms: Peak, Mountain Range, Ridge, Glacier, Mesa, Plateau and Piedmont.