1. Geoterms

2. absolute location the precise point where a place is located on Earth
Example: The Dana Centre is on the corner of Queen’s Gate and Imperial College Road
Also, coordinates of latitude and longitude tell us absolute location

3. relative location
Where a place is located in relation to another place
Example: Greenland is northeast of Canada. The United States is south of Canada.

4. distortion
a change in the shape, size, or position of a place when it is shown on a map
Example: The Mercator map shows the correct shapes of the continents, but distorts their size. The Equal-Area Cylindrical map shows the correct size of the continents but distorts their shapes.

5. parallels of latitude
lines on the global grid system that run east and west
They measure NORTH and SOUTH.

6. meridians of longitude
lines on the global grid that run from the north pole to the south pole
They measure EAST and WEST.

7. prime meridian
This is 0° longitude. It runs through Greenwich, England

8. International Date Line
A line of meridian that runs through the Pacfic Ocean and is exactly half way around the world from the prime meridian.
*Most of this line runs along 180° longitude, which is on the opposite side of the globe from the prime meridian.

9. hemispheres This term means “half circle.”
The Earth can either be divided into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, or the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

10. climate zone
a zone that has a a particular pattern of temperature and precipitation
Australia has 6 different climate zones, which are shown by the different colors

11. precipitation
rain, snow, or other moisture

12. arid
a climate that is hot and dry all year with little rain

13. desert
a geographic region with too little rainfall to support much plant life
(also a type of vegetation zone)

14. vegetation zones
an area with a certain mix of plants and trees that are adapted to similar conditions
This map shows that Europe has 11 different vegetation zones

15. land use the way people use a particular area of land
Examples: farming, development, preservation

16. fossil fuels
any fuel that is made from the remains of prehistoric plants and animals
Examples: gasoline, coal

17. hydroelectric power
electricity generated from the power of moving water