1. absolute location relative location

2. absolute location—describes the feature’s exact position on the Earth’s surface Shirley Heim is located at 320 Telegraph Road in Stafford, Virginia 22554. The geographic coordinates of Stafford, Virginia are 38° 25’N, 77°24’W.

3. Relative location—describes where the feature is found in relation to the features around it. Stafford, Virginia is located approximately 50 miles south of Washington, D. C. Cuba, located about 100 miles south of the Florida Keys, is the largest of the Greater Antilles.

4. The characteristics of a location that make it unique or different ◊ landforms ◊ animals ◊ plants ◊ weather patterns ◊ language ◊ religion Belize is the only country of Central America where English is the official language. Hinduism is the most widely practiced religion in India.

5. Describes how people affect their environment, or surroundings, and how their environment affects them In 1869, the United States completed and opened the Panama Canal. The development of air conditioning is best credited with causing the population boom of the American southwest in the last century.

6. Explains how and why people, goods, and ideas move from place to place Scientists believe early human beings crossed a land bridge at Beringia and then moved throughout North and South America. The Black Death was carried by sailors from Asia into Europe.

7. The areas of the Earth’s surface that have several common characteristics, such as land, natural resources, and population The Rocky Mountains, in the western part of the United States, is known for ranching and mining. China and India are two of the most populous countries in the world.