Human and Physical Geography for Praxis 7815 Exam

Population Density

Population density is the number of people in relation to the square miles (US Census, 2010).

Technological Advancements of Humans

The technological advancements of human beings have had a tremendous impact on the environment such as urban sprawl and pollution.

Transportation

Cars, buses, trains, airplanes.

Communication

Telephones, computers, Internet.

Housing

Single family homes, apartments, planned communities, neighborhoods.

Utilities

Power grid, water, sewer, waste management.

Renewable energy

Wind turbines, dams, solar panels.

Manufacturing

Industry, factories, machines, resources, and technology.

Negative impacts of technology

The byproducts of tools and technology have negative impacts on the environment including pollution, deforestation, desertification, urban sprawl, construction, and loss of natural habitats.

Atmosphere

The envelope of gases surrounding the Earth or another planet.

Biosphere

Includes all life on the planet.

Hydrosphere

Includes all water-liquid, ice, and vapor-on the planet.

Lithosphere

The outer region of the Earth. Includes the crust and upper mantle.

Geographic Feature

A feature that describes a specific physical characteristic of the Earth's surface.

Archipelago

An archipelago is a group of islands or island chains.

Atoll

A coral island that surrounds a lagoon.

Barrier island

A band of beach parallel to the mainland that protects the shore from the effects of the ocean.

Bays

An inlet of the sea or other body of water, usually smaller than a gulf.

Continent

Seven great divisions of land on the globe.

Deciduous forest

A forest characterized by trees that lose their leaves seasonally.

Delta

A landform that forms at the mouth of a river where it meets a body of water.

Desert

A barren area of land where little precipitation occurs and consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life.

Fjord

A long, deep, narrow body of water that reaches far inland, typically surrounded by steep cliffs.

Grassland

Land on which the natural dominant plant forms are grasses and herbs

Ice caps

A glacier forming on an extensive area of relatively level land and flowing outward from its center

Island

A tract of land surrounded by water and smaller than a continent

Isthmus

Narrow strip of land connecting two large land areas otherwise separated by bodies of water

Definition

A statement that explains the meaning of a term

Example

A specific instance that illustrates a concept

Deciduous Forest

A forest of trees that lose their leaves seasonally

Delta

A landform that forms from deposition of sediment carried by a river as the flow leaves its mouth and enters slower-moving or standing water

Desert

A barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life; can be hot or cold

Fjord

A long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs

Forest

A dense growth of trees and underbrush covering a large tract

Mountain

A large area of raised land formed through tectonic movement or volcanic activity

Mountain range

A series of mountains or mountain ridges closely related in position and direction

Oceans

The whole body of saltwater that covers nearly three-fourths of the surface of Earth

Peninsula

A land mass mostly surrounded by water and connected to a larger area of land

Plains

An extensive area of level or rolling treeless country

Plateaus

A usually extensive land area having a relatively level surface raised sharply above adjacent land on at least one side

Rain forest

A woodland with annual rainfall of 100 inches and heavy tree canopy

River

A large system of natural flowing water

Tundra

A type of biome characterized by cold temperatures and a lack of trees

Urban

Refers to cities.

Suburban

Refers to residential areas surrounding urban centers.

Rural

Refers to areas of countryside or farmland.

Language

A method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way.

Number of languages spoken

There are roughly 6,500 languages spoken around the world.

English

The most widely spoken language in the United States.

Religion

Examines the afterlife and other aspects that are not in the materialistic world.

Ideologies

Focus on materiality of human nature.

Human impacts

Humans have a tremendous impact on the environment through various activities.

Settlements

Human communities established in specific locations.

Population growth

An increase in the number of individuals in a population.

Technology

Tools and methods used to solve problems and improve human life.

Trade

The exchange of goods and services between people or entities.

Tourism

The activity of traveling for pleasure and recreation.

Agriculture

The practice of farming, which has evolved since the Neolithic era.

Irrigation

The artificial application of water to soil for assisting in growing crops.

Production and consumption patterns

The ways in which goods are produced and consumed in society.

Waste production and management

The creation and handling of waste materials in human activities.

Human-caused land degradation

The deterioration of land due to human activities.

Human-induced pollution

The introduction of harmful substances into the environment by human actions.

Anthropogenic global warming

Climate change caused by human activities.

Community

An interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location.

Assimilation

The process of individuals absorbing the dominant culture of a group different from their own heritage.

Socialization

The process of understanding oneself and societal expectations through social interactions.

Location

Specific position of a place on Earth.

Distance

Measurement of space between two points.

Direction

Path along which something moves or points.

Physical characteristics

Natural features affecting human activities.

Human adaptation

Adjustments made by humans to their environment.

Spatial terms

Describes locations and relationships in geography.

Places and regions

Distinct areas defined by unique characteristics.

Physical systems

Natural processes shaping the Earth's surface.

Human systems

Societal structures and interactions among people.

Environment and society

Interrelation between natural surroundings and communities.

Uses of geography

Applications of geographic knowledge in various fields.

Maps

Visual representations of geographic information.

Political maps

Show cities, towns, and political boundaries.

Physical maps

Illustrate natural features like mountains and rivers.

Relief

Variation in land elevation represented on maps.

Road maps

Detail highways, roads, and points of interest.

Special purpose maps

Focus on specific themes like climate or resources.

Climate maps

Display climate and precipitation information.

Cartographers

Professionals who create and design maps.

Economic maps

Show natural resources and economic activities.

Topographical maps

Detail physical features like hills and valleys.

Symbols on maps

Icons representing features or resources on maps.

Topographical Map

Uses contour lines to show land features.

Contour Lines

Lines that connect points of equal elevation.

Landmarks

Important physical features or structures on maps.

Globe

Three-dimensional model representing Earth.

Tilt Angle

Earth's axis tilted at 23.5 degrees.

Political Globe

Highlights nation-state boundaries on Earth.

Physical Globe

Shows Earth's physical features like mountains.

Meridian

Metal ring indicating degrees of longitude.

Analemma

Figure 8 showing sun's path throughout seasons.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Government service for positioning and navigation.

GPS Applications

Used in agriculture, aviation, and recreation.