World Geography & Ancient Civilizations: Key Concepts from Lesson 1-4

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering Pangaea, continental drift, geography of continents, ancient civilizations (Greece, Rome, China, India), and key historical concepts from the notes.

When did Pangaea form and when did it break apart?

Pangaea formed about 240 million years ago and broke apart about 200 million years ago, leading to the continents we have today.

Who first proposed the idea of continental drift?

Alfred Wegener.

What do geologists study?

Earth's structure, rocks, and history.

Name major processes that form or change continents.

Mountain formation, climate change, erosion by wind/water/ice, sedimentation, and movement of tectonic plates.

What are tectonic plates?

Huge moving slabs of Earth's crust.

Geologically and politically, how are continents defined?

Geologically by continental shelves; politically/historically by culture (e.g., Europe vs Asia).

What is a mountain, a hill, a plain, and a plateau?

Mountain: high, steep land; Hill: smaller rounded rise; Plain: flat land; Plateau: raised flat land.

What is a valley, island, peninsula, mountain range, and volcano?

Valley: low land between hills/mountains; Island: land surrounded by water; Peninsula: land almost surrounded by water; Mountain range: a chain of mountains; Volcano: a mountain/hill where magma erupts.

What is a river, lake, waterfall, ocean, sea, strait, and gulf?

River: flowing water; Lake: inland water body; Waterfall: water dropping steeply; Ocean: largest body of saltwater; Sea: smaller saltwater body; Strait: narrow water passage; Gulf: ocean part cutting into land.

Which is the largest continent and what fraction of the population does it hold?

Asia; about 60% of the population.

Name three key features of Asia mentioned in the notes.

Mount Everest, Dead Sea, Gobi Desert.

What are monsoons?

Seasonal winds and rains.

Which rivers are associated with early Asian civilizations?

Ganges, Indus, Yellow, Yangtze, Mekong, Tigris, Euphrates.

What is the Levant region known for?

Holy Land for three religions; conflict zone.

What is Africa called and why is it significant?

The 'Mother Continent'—earliest humans originated there.

How many countries are in Africa and what is its size ranking?

54 countries; it is the second largest continent.

Name two key African geographical features.

Sahara Desert and Nile River.

Outline the human evolution sequence listed in the notes.

Australopithecus → Homo habilis → Homo erectus → Homo sapiens.

What major migrations/trafficking events affected Africa?

Bantu Migration and the Atlantic Slave Trade.

What era is referred to by the phrase 'Scramble for Africa'?

The late 19th to early 20th century when European powers partitioned Africa.

Which continent is the 3rd largest and is home to the Great Lakes?

North America.

What are the Great Lakes?

The largest freshwater system in North America.

How did the first peoples likely arrive in North America?

Via the Bering Strait land bridge.

Name the major features of South America.

Amazon River & Rainforest, Andes, Pampas, Angel Falls.

How many independent countries does South America have (per the notes)?

Twelve countries, plus French Guiana.

What is Antarctica's status regarding population and climate impact?

5th largest continent; no permanent population; ice sheet helps regulate Earth's climate.

Which civilizations originated in Europe and what were their core features?

Ancient Greece (democracy) and Ancient Rome (Senate, expansion, imperialism).

What is the geography and significance of the Aegean region in Greece?

Greece is a peninsula with mountains and valleys that led to isolated city-states (Athens, Sparta) and a sea-based culture.

Who were the Minoans and Mycenaeans?

Minoans: Crete, Knossos, prosperous traders; Mycenaeans: mainland Greeks, warlike, linked to Trojan War.

What marked the Greek Dark Age (1100–800 BCE)?

Population decline and loss of trade and writing; later Homer’s epics preserved values.

What is a polis and what were Acropolis and Agora?

Polis: city-state; Acropolis: fortified hill; Agora: marketplace; centers of civic life.

Where did democracy first develop in Greece, and who are key figures associated with it?

Athens; figures include Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles.

What were the main religious beliefs of ancient Greece and their unity?

Polytheism with Olympian gods; Oracles; Panhellenic Games; shared language, myths, art, and religion.

What is the Golden Age of Athens known for and who are its key thinkers?

Philosophy, drama, art, architecture (Parthenon); Socrates, Plato, Aristotle.

What is the difference between Athens and Sparta?

Athens: democracy; Sparta: military state; both shaped Greek history.

What is the Hellenistic Age and where did it spread?

Era after Alexander the Great; Greek culture blended with Persian, Egyptian, and Indian; Alexandria as a learning center; Epicureanism and Stoicism; ended with Roman conquest.

Why is the legacy of ancient Greece considered foundational to Western civilization?

Democracy, philosophy, theater, and architecture; enduring myths and ideas.

Describe Italy’s geography and why it facilitated unity and trade.

Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula surrounded by several seas; fertile land and the Tiber River aided trade and unity.

Who were the early groups in Italy and what did they contribute?

Latins (early Romans); Greeks (colonies in South Italy and Sicily); Etruscans (north Italy) with contributions like the Forum, alphabet, arches.

What event led to Rome becoming a Republic in 509 BCE?

Overthrow of Tarquin the Proud, the last Etruscan king.

What is the Roman Republic’s organizational structure around patricians and plebeians?

Patricians were wealthy landowners; plebeians were commoners; both had rights, with tribunes representing plebeians.

What is the significance of Roman Law and the concept of res publica?

Written laws that ensured fairness and transparency; res publica means public affairs/government.

What were legions and centuries in the Roman Army?

Legion: 6,000+ soldiers; Century: ~80 soldiers.

What was the Eagle a symbol of in Rome?

The Roman legion's emblem, a symbol of the army.

Who were gladiators?

Fighters who entertained crowds in arenas like the Colosseum.

What were the Punic Wars and who fought whom?

Rome vs Carthage; three wars fighting for control of the western Mediterranean.

What happened in the First Punic War and its outcome?

264–241 BCE; Rome won and gained Sicily as its first province.

What happened in the Second Punic War and why is it famous?

218–202 BCE; Hannibal invaded Italy with elephants, won at Cannae (216 BCE) but was defeated at Zama; Rome gained Spain.

What happened in the Third Punic War?

149–146 BCE; Rome destroyed Carthage and enslaved its people; Mare Nostrum established.

What caused the decline of the Roman Republic?

Wealth disparity (latifundia), reforms like those of the Gracchus brothers, and political tensions leading to civil wars.

What was the First Triumvirate?

Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey (60–53 BCE).

What was Caesar’s fate in 44 BCE?

Caesar was assassinated (the Ides of March).

Who were the members of the Second Triumvirate and who defeated Antony?

Octavian, Mark Antony, Lepidus; Octavian defeated Antony and became Rome's first emperor, Caesar Augustus.

What is Pax Romana?

The Roman Peace; about 200 years of stability, trade, and prosperity.

What was the extent of the Roman Empire at its height?

Rome expanded across Europe, Asia, and Africa and became the greatest empire of the ancient world.