Land Features

Canyon: A long narrow valley between mountains with very steep sides….A stream often runs along the bottom. Another name is gorge.

Horseshoe Canyon

The land next to the sea…it often forms an irregular line with many bays, capes, etc. The land next to the sea…it often forms an irregular line with many bays, capes, etc. Many communities are located along the coastline in Atlantic Canada. Many communities are located along the coastline in Atlantic Canada. Coastline

Continent One of the seven large land masses that we divide the earth into. Our region is located in North America. The others are: South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica. One of the seven large land masses that we divide the earth into. Our region is located in North America. The others are: South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica. Eurasia is the name often given to Europe and Asia together. Eurasia is the name often given to Europe and Asia together. Oceania refers to Australia and its surrounding islands. Oceania refers to Australia and its surrounding islands.

Desert A dry place where very few plants can grow. A dry place where very few plants can grow. Deserts can be hot or cold. Deserts can be hot or cold. The Namib is an interesting desert located in Africa. The Namib is an interesting desert located in Africa.

Cape A piece of land stretching out into the sea. (Ex. Cape Horn, S.A.) A piece of land stretching out into the sea. (Ex. Cape Horn, S.A.) Atlantic Canada’s coastline includes many capes. Atlantic Canada’s coastline includes many capes.

Hill A part of the earth’s surface that is higher than the ground around it…ex. Citadel Hill Island A piece of land which has water all around it…..ex…Anticosti

Isthmus A narrow strip of land with sea on each side connecting two larger pieces of land. A narrow strip of land with sea on each side connecting two larger pieces of land. The Isthmus of Panama joins North America and South America. The Isthmus of Panama joins North America and South America. Nova Scotia is joined to New Brunswick by an isthmus. Nova Scotia is joined to New Brunswick by an isthmus.

Mountain A very large hill with steep sides that are hard to climb – usually above 300 m (1000 ft). A very large hill with steep sides that are hard to climb – usually above 300 m (1000 ft). Atlantic Canada has small mountains eroded in part by glaciation during the last Ice Age. Atlantic Canada has small mountains eroded in part by glaciation during the last Ice Age.

Oasis A place in a desert with water and trees. A place in a desert with water and trees.

Peninsula A long piece of land, almost surrounded by water, that juts out into the sea. A long piece of land, almost surrounded by water, that juts out into the sea. The Gaspe Peninsula is in Quebec. The Gaspe Peninsula is in Quebec.

Plateau Plateau A large area A large area of high flat land

Prairie A large area of flat low land without many trees on it….another word for plain. A large area of flat low land without many trees on it….another word for plain. Prairies can be found in western Canada. Prairies can be found in western Canada.

Range A long line of hills or mountains. A long line of hills or mountains. The Laurentians are a range found in eastern Canada. The Laurentians are a range found in eastern Canada.

Reef A long strip of rock, sand or coral just above or below the surface of the sea A long strip of rock, sand or coral just above or below the surface of the sea The Great Barrier Reef is a reef off the coast of Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is a reef off the coast of Australia.

Valley Valley The low flat land between hills or mountains. The low flat land between hills or mountains. Atlantic Canada contains many valleys along its many rivers. Atlantic Canada contains many valleys along its many rivers. Ex. Annapolis Valley, NS. Ex. Annapolis Valley, NS.

A mountain with an opening at the top. Sometimes hot melted rock (lava), ash, and gasses burst out of it from inside the earth. This is one way mountains can be formed. Volcano

Water Features Bay: a curve in the shoreline where water cuts into the land. Bay: a curve in the shoreline where water cuts into the land. The Atlantic Coastline has many bays. The Atlantic Coastline has many bays. Ex. Bay of Fundy, Bay of Chaleur. Ex. Bay of Fundy, Bay of Chaleur.

Canal A long narrow waterway built by people for boats. A long narrow waterway built by people for boats. The Shubie Canal is an example of an historic canal. The Shubie Canal is an example of an historic canal. Canals allow ships to pass through at the Suez and in Panama. Canals allow ships to pass through at the Suez and in Panama.

Channel A strip of sea joining two seas. A strip of sea joining two seas. A channel is similar to a strait. A channel is similar to a strait. The English Channel which joins the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. The English Channel which joins the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

Estuary The wide part of a river near where it meets the sea. The wide part of a river near where it meets the sea. The St. John River is an example in Atlantic Canada. The St. John River is an example in Atlantic Canada.

Glacier A large river of ice that moves slowly over time. A large river of ice that moves slowly over time. Glaciers in the past have had a great impact on the geography of Atlantic Canada. Glaciers in the past have had a great impact on the geography of Atlantic Canada.

Gulf A very large bay A very large bay Ex. Gulf of St. Lawrence in Atlantic Canada.

A bay where the water is deep and calm and ships are protected from the wind and big waves….Ex. Halifax Harbour. Harbour Bedford Basin, 1942

Inlet A small narrow bay on the coastline. A small narrow bay on the coastline. Atlantic Canada’s shores contain many inlets. Atlantic Canada’s shores contain many inlets.

Lake A large area of water with land all around it. A large area of water with land all around it. Atlantic Canada contains many lakes Ex. Miller Lake, NS. Atlantic Canada contains many lakes Ex. Miller Lake, NS. Miller, the Lockview Dragon!!

Ocean Ocean One of the very large areas of salt water that cover the earth. One of the very large areas of salt water that cover the earth. Most of our region borders the Atlantic Ocean. Most of our region borders the Atlantic Ocean.

River Fresh water that flows in a long winding line across the land. Fresh water that flows in a long winding line across the land. Our region has many significant rivers. Our region has many significant rivers. Nine Mile River, NS

Sea Sea A part of the ocean that is usually near land… A part of the ocean that is usually near land… The Labrador Sea is found off the coast of Newfoundland. The Labrador Sea is found off the coast of Newfoundland.

Strait A strip of sea like a channel that separates two pieces of land. A strip of sea like a channel that separates two pieces of land. The Northumberland Strait separates Prince Edward Island from the mainland of Atlantic Canada. The Northumberland Strait separates Prince Edward Island from the mainland of Atlantic Canada.

A string or cluster of islands along the coastline. Archipelago