Grade 9 Geography Exam Study Guide

Glaciers

Large ice masses that erode and shape the land

Erosion

Wearing down of the earth by wind, water, or ice

Weathering

Breaking down of rocks (mechanical or chemical)

Volcanoes

Erupt molten rock from Earth's mantle

Earthquakes

Sudden shaking caused by tectonic movement

Forest Fires

Can be natural or human-caused; change landscapes

Convergent

Plates move together → mountains or trenches

Divergent

Plates move apart → mid-ocean ridges

Transform

Plates slide past each other → earthquakes

Highlands

Western Cordillera, Appalachian Mountains, Innuitians

Lowlands

Interior Plains, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence, Hudson Bay

Shield

Canadian Shield (largest, ancient rock, poor soil)

LOWERN

Latitude, Ocean currents, Wind/air masses, Elevation, Relief, Near water

Latitude

This distance north-south from the equator (up down)

Ocean Current

The temperature of an ocean current affects the temperature of the air that passes over it

Wind

Air masses take on temperatures of the area over which it forms

Moist Air Masses

Air masses that form over an ocean are MOIST

Dry Air Masses

Air masses formed over land are DRY

Jet Stream

The jet stream moves from west to east (left to right)

Elevation

The higher the elevation the colder it becomes because the air expands and loses heat

Rate of Cooling

As air masses rise, they expand and cool at a rate of about 1 degrees/100m

Relief

Mountains create relief precipitation

Rain Shadow

Leeward side: downwind; air pressure increases creating warm dry air

Continental Climates

Areas in the interior of Canada and far from oceans with a large range in temperatures and little precipitation (under 1000mm)

Maritime Climates

Coastal areas with warm winter temperatures and cool summer temperatures and lots of precipitation (1000mm+)

Continental Climate

Far from water, hot summers, cold winters, low precipitation

Maritime Climate

Near water, mild temps, high precipitation

Climate Graphs

Show temperature (line) and precipitation (bars)

Total Precipitation

Add all 12 monthly precipitation totals

Temperature Range

Highest temp − Lowest temp

Seasonal Distribution

Winter: Add Oct-Mar (O,N,D,J,F,M); Summer: Add Apr-Sep (A,M,J,J,A,S); More precipitation = dominant season

Average Annual Temperature

Add all 12 temps ÷ 12

Growing Season

List months with temp ≥ 6°C

Climate Type

Maritime: Small temp range, high precipitation; Continental: Large temp range, low precipitation

Birth Rate

(Births ÷ Population) × 1000

Death Rate

(Deaths ÷ Population) × 1000

Natural Increase Rate (NIR)

BR − DR

Immigration Rate

(Immigrants ÷ Population) × 1000

Emigration Rate

(Emigrants ÷ Population) × 1000

Net Migration Rate (NMR)

Immigration − Emigration

Population Growth Rate

(NIR + NMR) ÷ 10

Doubling Time

70 ÷ Population Growth Rate

Push Factors

War, poverty, natural disaster

Pull Factors

Jobs, safety, education

Land Use Patterns

Residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational

Zoning

Dividing land for specific uses (residential vs business etc.)

Historic Settlement

Along waterways, trade routes, natural resources

Primary Industry

Natural resources (farming, fishing, mining)

Secondary Industry

Manufacturing (factories, food processing)

Tertiary Industry

Services (retail, healthcare, education)

Quaternary Industry

Knowledge & information (IT, research)

Renewable Resources

Replenishes (wind, solar, forests)

Non-renewable Resources

Limited (fossil fuels, minerals)

Flow Resources

Constantly available but must be managed (sunlight, wind, water)

Sustainable Development

Meets today's needs without harming the future

Planned Obsolescence

Products made to wear out fast

Perceived Obsolescence

Products seem outdated (style, tech)

Young Workers Fill Jobs

Immigrants help in healthcare, trades, tech = fewer shortages.

Keeps Population Growing

Fewer births = immigrants help balance and support schools/businesses.

Taxes + Economy

Immigrants pay taxes, open businesses = help fund healthcare, pensions.

Eco-Friendly Products

Choose reusable, recycled items = less plastic, less landfill.

Save Energy

Use efficient appliances, ride the bus = less pollution, lower bills.

Support Green Companies

Buy from brands with good practices = cleaner planet, smarter spending.

Urbanization Challenges

Too Crowded: Traffic, packed schools, housing is expensive.

More Pollution

More people = more waste, less green space.

Urbanization Opportunities

More Jobs + Diversity: Cities offer careers, services, and cultural fun.

Better transit and tech

Smarter, greener cities.