Geography Exam Review: Key Concepts and Terms

Tropic of Cancer

23.5 degrees north

Tropic of Capricorn

23.5 degrees south

Prime Meridian

0 degree (longitude)

Equator

0 degrees (latitude)

Arctic Circle

66.5 degrees north

Antarctic Circle

66.5 degrees south

Grid System

Used for absolute location - usually lines of latitude/longitude

Political Map

Man-made features - cities, states, countries

Physical Map

Land forms and elevation (relief) - mountains, rivers, plains, deserts

TODALSIGSs

Parts of a Map: Title, Orientation, Date, Author, Legend, Scale, Index, Grid, Source, Surrounding Places

Formal Region

Defined boundaries, defined by a gov't, landform, or common characteristic ex. Texas, Rocky Mnts., Corn Belt

Functional Region

Defined by a central point and things connected to it, ex. Greater Houston Area, newspaper route, airport

Perceptual Region

Can be defined by different characteristics (hard to define borders because of differing opinions) ex. The Middle East, The South

Six Elements of Geography

The World in Spatial Terms, Physical Systems, Human Systems, Human-Environment Interaction, Place and Region, Uses of Geography

Latitude

Lines that run parallel to the Equator

Longitude

Lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole

Small-Scale Maps

Show a large area with little detail

Large-Scale Maps

Show a small area with a great amount of detail

Climate

Average weather conditions over a long period of time

Weather

Atmospheric conditions over a short period of time

Deciduous Trees

Broad leaf trees, ex. Oak

Coniferous Trees

Needle-leaf trees, ex. Pine

Leeward

Dry, warm side of a mountain due to rain shadow effect

Windward

Cold, rainy side of the mountain due to condensation as damp air is pushed up the mountain side

El Nino

Change in atmospheric pressure in the Pacific Ocean that brings cool, wet conditions to the Americas, dry, hot conditions to S.E. Asia and Australia

Erosion

Wears away the earth and carries to new location

Weathering

Breaks down the earth

Elevation Effect on Climate

Temperature drops 3.5 degrees every 1000 ft

Low Latitudes

Generally hot, wet and with tropical vegetation

Mid Latitudes

Moderate temperatures but drastic changes in temperature, deciduous and coniferous forests

High Latitudes

Cold to covered in ice, coniferous forests to lichen only

Tropics

High; Low

Natural vegetation of a desert

Cacti and scrub

Tropical Rainforest

Rainy year-round

Tropical Savanna

Has a wet (summer) and dry (winter) season; both warm to hot year round

Mediterranean climate

Coastal areas (Mediterranean Sea in southern Europe!) mild winters, hot summers, chaparral vegetation

Humid Sub-Tropical

High humidity, hot, long summers, grasslands and mixed forests

Marine West Coast

Cool summers, damp winters - rainy especially in the winter, mixed forests

Subarctic climate

Climate region with the widest temperature range

Atmosphere

Layer of gases surrounding earth, helps to regulate temperatures on earth by trapping in some heat from the sun

Seasons

Exist due to the earth's tilt + revolution; Earth-Sun Relationships

Culture Hearth

Trade center where people meet to exchange goods and ideas are shared naturally

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of ideas, customs, beliefs

Ethnic Group

A group with common ancestry and cultural characteristics

Ecumene

Inhabited land

Agricultural Revolution

The change from hunting and gathering to growing crops and living in permanent settlements

Industrial Revolution

The change leading to mechanically made products at cheaper prices

Information Revolution

The internet connecting people globally

Absolute monarch

King or queen with complete power to rule

Constitutional monarchy

Monarchies that have a written set of laws and elected officials that serve along with the king/queen

Unitary system

All the power is held by the national government

Federal system

Power is shared between state and national governments

Elements of culture

Language, religion, social classes, government, economy, culture regions

Factors that change cultures

Internal changes - invention, lifestyle, economic; external - war, trade, globalization

Communism

Government control over all aspects of the economy, people have no say

Socialism

Elected government officials control most of the economy, allow for some private businesses to compete

Autocracy

Rule by one

Democracy

Rule by all

Oligarchy

Rule by few (small group)

Theocracy

Rule by a religious official or religious group

Market economy

No government regulation - allow businesses to compete, supply and demand

Mixed economy

Some government regulation, try to make competition more fair (capitalism)

Natural resources

Things that come from the earth, not man made; renewable can be used again - sunlight, wind, water, non-renewable can only be used once oil, natural gas, gold

Urban Sprawl

Rapid growth of cities and their suburbs, often poorly planned

Metropolitan areas

Metro - 50,000+ people plus its surrounding areas

Megalopolis

A connection between metropolitan areas and the minor cities in between them

Manifest Destiny

The idea that it was God's will that America expand from coast to coast

Quebecois

French-speaking population in Canada that wants independence

Republic

A government with elected representatives who speak on behalf of the people

Outsourcing

The use of international factories for US businesses to save money and for cheaper labor

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

African-Americans now citizens.

15th Amendment

Any race can vote.

19th Amendment

Any race & sex can vote (women).

Quebec Act

Gave French citizens in British-controlled parts of Canada the right to keep their language, religion, and laws in this territory.

Appalachian Mountains

Located in Eastern USA.

Hawaii Climate

Tropical Rainforest - hot and rainy.

Oregon, Washington & California Climate

Marine West Coast - cool and rainy.

Majority of Canada Climate

Subarctic - cold and drastic temperature changes.

New York Climate

Humid Continental - 4 seasons - hot summers to cold winters.

Texas Climate

Humid Subtropical - hot most of the year, rainy year round.

Dominion

A country that rules itself independently under the rule of another country.

Governor-General

Represents Queen Elizabeth II in Canada in the executive branch.

Landform with Rich Mineral Deposits

Mountains.

Majority of Canadians' Residence

Along the U.S./Canada border, where the climate is more mild.

U.S. and Canada Government Systems

Both are federal representative democracies with 3 branches of government; Canada is a dominion.

Reasons for Growing Number of Patriots

Cultural differences, taxes placed on the colonists, wanting self-rule, wanting representation in government.

Underground Railroad

A network of safe houses where slaves could hide as they attempted to escape to Canada.

Slaves Escaping to Canada

In Canada they would become free citizens.

Pros of Urban Sprawl

Cheaper housing, more jobs/businesses, more space.

Cons of Urban Sprawl

Animals lose habitats, local businesses fail, pollution and traffic increase.

Industry Employing ¾ of Americans

Service.

Effects of NAFTA

Free trade between North American countries; no taxes, embargos, etc.; U.S. starts outsourcing businesses to Mexico.

NAFTA Today

USMCA (United States Mexico Canada Agreement).

Post-Industrial Society

A society where the level of economic activities is primarily in services rather than manufacturing.

Native Amazonians

12,000 years ago, wants land protected for hunting, fishing, farming

Rubber Tappers

1870s, wants land protected to tap trees for rubber

Settlers

1960s - government gave them land, no other land available

Loggers

1960s, clear cut trees for furniture, paper, and lumber, makes money for Brazil's economy, provides jobs

Cattle Ranchers

1960s, clear land or use cleared land for their cattle, makes money and food for Brazil