World History and Geography Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering history, government, and geography concepts from the lecture, including landforms and map coordinates.

Monotheism

Belief in one god.

Polytheism

Belief in many gods.

Prophet

A person who delivers messages from God.

Covenant

A sacred promise or agreement.

Reincarnation

Belief that the soul is reborn after death.

Dalit

Lowest social group in India's traditional caste system.

Raj

British rule in India.

Green Revolution

New farming methods that greatly increased food production.

Shogun

Military ruler of Japan.

Samurai

Japanese warrior.

Sultan

Muslim ruler.

Absolute Monarchy

A king or queen has complete power.

Constitutional Monarchy

A monarch whose power is limited by a constitution or laws.

De facto

Existing in reality, even if not officially recognized.

Coup

Sudden overthrow of a government.

Sphere of Influence

Area where a country has political or economic control.

Feudalism

System where lords owned land and peasants worked for them.

Serf

Peasant tied to the land.

Middle Ages

Period in Europe from about $500-1500\,CE$.

Civil Disobedience

Peacefully refusing to obey unjust laws.

Boycott

Refusing to buy or use something as a protest.

Nuclear Proliferation

The spread of nuclear weapons.

Wadi

Dry riverbed that fills with water after rain.

Atoll

Ring-shaped coral island.

Archipelago

Group or chain of islands.

Delta

Land formed where a river empties into a sea or ocean.

Tsunami

Giant ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake.

Oasis

Fertile area with water in a desert.

Fossil Water

Ancient groundwater stored underground.

Monsoon

Seasonal wind that brings heavy rain.

Cyclone

Powerful tropical storm.

Semiarid

Receives little rainfall; somewhat dry.

Permafrost

Ground that stays frozen year-round.

Tundra

Cold, treeless region.

Taiga

Large forest of evergreen trees in cold climates.

Subcontinent

Large part of a continent with its own identity.

Pacific Rim

Lands surrounding the Pacific Ocean.

Insular

Related to islands.

Alluvial Plain

Flat, fertile land formed by river deposits.

Loess

Fertile soil deposited by wind.

Indigenous

Native people of a region.

Yurt

Round portable tent used in Central Asia.

Hacienda

Large ranch or estate.

Cottage Industry

Small business run from a home.

Subsistence Farming

Farming mainly to feed one's family.

Ecotourism

Tourism focused on nature and conservation.

Arctic Ocean

Ocean located north of Asia that touches northern Russia.

Pacific Ocean

Ocean located east of Asia that borders China, Japan, and the Philippines.

Indian Ocean

Ocean located south of Asia, below India.

Mediterranean Sea

Sea located west of Asia, near Turkey and the Middle East.

Himalayan Range

Highest mountain range in the world, contains Mount Everest and is located between India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China.

Ural Range

Mountain range in Russia that separates Europe and Asia.

Caucasus Range

Mountain range between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, separating Europe and Asia.

Gobi Desert

Cold and dry desert located in Mongolia and northern China.

Latitude

Horizontal lines, also called ladder lines, that measure distance North or South of the Equator.

Longitude

Vertical lines, also called long lines, that measure distance East or West of the Prime Meridian.

Equator

Line at $0^{\circ}$ latitude that splits Earth into North and South hemispheres.

Prime Meridian

Line at $0^{\circ}$ longitude that splits Earth into East and West hemispheres.

Mexico Coordinates

Located approximately between $15^{\circ}N$ to $30^{\circ}N$ and $85^{\circ}W$ to $118^{\circ}W$, specifically identified by $20^{\circ}N, 100^{\circ}W$.

India Coordinates

Located approximately between $8^{\circ}N$ to $30^{\circ}N$ and $70^{\circ}E$ to $90^{\circ}E$, specifically identified by $20^{\circ}N, 80^{\circ}E$.

China Coordinates

Located approximately between $18^{\circ}N$ to $50^{\circ}N$ and $75^{\circ}E$ to $135^{\circ}E$, specifically identified by $40^{\circ}N, 120^{\circ}E$.

Brazil Coordinates

Located approximately between $5^{\circ}N$ to $30^{\circ}S$ and $35^{\circ}W$ to $75^{\circ}W$, specifically identified by $10^{\circ}S, 55^{\circ}W$.

Russia Coordinates

Located approximately between $40^{\circ}N$ to $80^{\circ}N$ and $30^{\circ}E$ to $180^{\circ}E$, specifically identified by $50^{\circ}N, 100^{\circ}E$.