Unit #1 Land & Water Forms World Geography 3202 Unit #1 Land & Water Forms

Topography Topography is a general term referring to the surface features of the earth like hills, mountains, valleys and other relief features. Your book defines it as " the natural and human features of the earth's surface".

Hills vs. Mountains Hills elevation < 300 -600 M Mountains elevation > 300-600 m Books differ on the actual relief required to be a mountain.

Plains vs. Plateaus Both are similar in that they are gently sloping or relatively broad flat regions of land. Like hills and mountains, plains & plateaus differ based on elevation. Plains occur at low elevations along coasts & central continent Plateaus occur at high altitudes and are associated with mountains.

Land Form Patterns …. Most mountains & high elevations are located on coasts of continents.

Patterns Of Mountains Large Mountain Ranges along the West coast of North & South America.

The Andes- S.America

The Rocky Mountains

Tectonic Plate Boundaries Major mountain ranges coincide with tectonic plate boundaries….the EDGE…where 2 plates meet!! Rockies- N.A. Andes- S.A. Hymalayas - Asia Mid Atlantic Ridge

More About Topography Your Book Page 6-9 www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/image