Geography Academic Vocabulary

8th Grade US History; Pantalone

Ocean

One of the large bodies of saltwater covering ¾ of the earth’s surface.

Gulf

Part of a large body of water that extends into the shoreline but is smaller than an ocean.

Bay

Part of a large body of water that extends into the shoreline but is smaller than a gulf.

Harbor

Sheltered place along a shoreline where ships can anchor safely

Canal

Artificial, man-made waterway built for navigation or for the movement of water

Plain

Area of level land, usually natural grasslands with few or no trees

Mountain Range

A series of connected mountains

Region

An area of division, especially part of a country or the world has definable characteristics but not always fixed boundaries

Continental Divide

An extensive stretch of high ground separates river systems that flow to opposite sides of the continent

Parallel (in geography)

One of the imaginary circles on the earth’s surface corresponding to the equator that marks latitude

Physical Features

Characteristics of a place occurring naturally