Geography Flashcards: Landforms and Bodies of Water

VOCABULARY-style flashcards covering key landforms, bodies of water, and related terms from Page 1-2 notes.

Mountain

A large landform that rises high above the surrounding land.

Volcano

A mountain that can erupt with lava.

Hill

Raised land that is smaller than a mountain.

Cliff

A steep face of rock.

Canyon

A deep valley with steep sides.

Plains

Wide, flat lands.

Plateau

High flat land.

Mesa

Flat-topped hill with steep sides.

Butte

A landform smaller than a mesa; a hill with steep sides.

Valley

Low land between hills or mountains.

Basin

Low area where water collects.

Delta

Triangular land where a river meets the ocean.

Tributary

Smaller river flowing into a bigger one.

Waterfall

Water dropping vertically from a height.

Creek

Small stream.

Pond

Small body of water, often manmade or natural.

Lake

Large body of freshwater.

Strait

Narrow waterway connecting seas.

Ocean

Largest body of salt water.

Gulf

Large coastal inlet.

Bay

Body of water connected to the sea, usually smaller than a gulf.

Coast

Land along the edge of the ocean.

Peninsula

Land surrounded by water on 3 sides.

Island

Land completely surrounded by water.

Archipelago

Group of islands.

Cays

Small, low-elevation islands formed on coral reefs.

Isthmus

Narrow strip of land between water.

Dunes

Hills of sand formed by wind.

Tundra

Cold, treeless region.

Desert

Very dry area with little rain and sparse vegetation.

Cave

Natural hollow space underground.

Forest

Area full of trees and wildlife.

Sinkhole

Cavity in the ground caused by water erosion.

Swamp

Wetland with standing water and trees.

Marsh

Treeless wetland with grasses.

Glacier

Slow-moving mass of ice.

Savanna

Grassy plain with few trees.

River

Large flowing water.