Geography Terms January, 2012

Directions: Look at the following pictures and see if you can match the picture to the correct geography term. Answers will follow each picture.

Harbor a part of a body of water protected and deep enough to furnish anchorage; especially : one with port facilities.

Bay A part of a sea or ocean that extends into land.

Lake an inland body of standing water.

Plateau A large, flat area that rises above the surrounding land; at least one side has a steep slope.

Island an area of land completely surrounded by water and smaller than a continent.

Valley A long depression of the earth's surface usually between ranges of hills or mountains.

Sea A great body of salt water that covers much of the earth.

River A large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another stream.

Timberline The line or altitude above which no trees grow.

Plains A large area of flat or gently rolling land.

Peninsula A piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water.

Glacier A huge, slow-moving mass of snow and ice.

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

Peak The pointed top of a mountain.

Ocean The whole body of salt water that covers nearly three fourths of the surface of the earth. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEAS AND OCEANS ARE: THE OCEANS ARE LARGER THAN THE SEAS, AND A SEA IS PARTIALLY ENCLOSED BY LAND.

Mountain range A line of mountains connected by high ground.

Mountain A large, natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly ( at least 2000 ft.) from the surrounding level.

Marsh An area of low-lying land that is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide, and typically remains waterlogged at all times.

Canyon A deep gorge, typically one with a river flowing through it.

Gulf A deep inlet of the sea almost surrounded by land, with a narrow mouth.

Desert A dry, barren area of land, especially one covered with sand.

Coastal Plain a plain adjacent to a coast.

Cape A pointed piece of land extending into an ocean or a lake.

Coast The part of the land near the sea; the edge of the land.

Can you think of any other geographical terms?