Geography of the Earth: Land and Water Forms

Vocabulary flashcards covering the physical characteristics of the Earth, including tectonic theories, climate-related geography, and specific world-renowned land and water forms based on the lecture transcript.

Continental Drift Theory

A geographical theory explaining how continents and oceans reached their current positions, suggesting they were once connected.

Latitude

Imaginary lines running horizontally across the globe used to determine the location and climate of a place.

Equator

The imaginary horizontal line that divides the globe into two equal parts.

Laurasia and Gondwanaland

Ancient landmasses proven to have been connected through evidence of fossil similarities and mountain structures.

Divergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary characterized by the separation of plates.

Convergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary characterized by the meeting or collision of plates.

Mountain

The highest landform on Earth.

Mount Everest

The highest mountain in the world.

Mountain Range

A chain or row of interconnected mountains.

Himalayas

The mountain range where Mount Everest is located.

Hill

A high landform that is lower in elevation than a mountain.

Chocolate Hills

Famous hills in a UNESCO Global Geopark known for their unique chocolate-colored appearance.

Volcano

A type of mountain that can emit gas, fire, and hot mud, and is capable of erupting.

Taal Volcano

The smallest active volcano in the world.

Plain

A low, wide, and flat land area suitable for agriculture.

Great Plains

Known as the 'Breadbasket of the world' due to its abundant harvest of wheat and corn.

Plateau

A high landform characterized by a flat top surface.

Tibetan Plateau

Known as the 'Roof of the World,' it is the highest and widest plateau globally.

Valley

Low-lying land located between mountains or hills.

Great Rift Valley

A famous valley known for its unique landforms, wildlife, and the fossil of Lucy.

Island

A small landform entirely surrounded by water.

Boracay

An island in the Philippines famous for its white sand and clear water.

Desert

A vast, dry landform that receives very little rainfall.

Sahara Desert

The widest hot desert in the world.

Peninsula

A piece of land projecting into the sea and surrounded by water on three sides.

Arabian Peninsula

The largest peninsula in the world.

Ocean

The widest, largest, and deepest body of water on the planet.

Pacific Ocean

The widest and deepest ocean in the world.

Sea

A body of salty water that is part of an ocean.

Dead Sea

The saltiest body of water in the world where people can easily float.

River

Flowing water that originates from mountains and typically ends in the sea.

Nile River

The longest river in the world.

Strait

A narrow water passage that connects two large bodies of water.

Bering Strait

A strait located between Russia and Alaska connecting the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Lake

A body of water entirely surrounded by land.

Lake Baikal

The deepest and oldest lake in the world.

Bay

A part of the sea near the land that serves as a harbor for ships.

Bay of Bengal

The largest bay in the world, rich in marine resources.

Gulf

A wide and deep part of the sea almost entirely surrounded by land with a narrow opening.

Gulf of Mexico

The largest gulf in the world and the tenth largest body of water on Earth.

Waterfall

Water that flows from a high point down to a lower elevation.

Angel Falls

The highest waterfall in the world.