Geography Flashcards

Flashcards for Geography and related topics.

How many provinces/territories are there in Canada?

Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories.

Geography

The study of Earth’s physical features and how humans interact with them.

Physical Geography

Natural features (e.g. mountains, rivers, weather).

Human Geography

Human activities (e.g. population, culture, cities).

General Purpose Map

Shows natural and human features.

Thematic Map

Focuses on one topic.

Topographic Map

Uses contour lines to show elevation.

Border (Maps)

Edge of the map.

Orientation (Maps)

Compass (N, S, E, W).

Legend (Maps)

Explains symbols.

Title (Maps)

Explains what the map is showing.

Scale (Maps)

Shows distances on the map.

Large Scale Map

Shows small area in detail (1:10,000).

Small Scale Map

Shows large area with less detail (1:1,000,000).

Latitude

Horizontal lines, measured N/S of Equator.

Longitude

Vertical lines, measured E/W of Prime Meridian.

Equator

0° Latitude

Tropic of Cancer

23.5°N

Arctic Circle

66.5°N

Prime Meridian

0° Longitude

International Date Line

180° Longitude

Why we have time zones

The Earth rotates, so different parts get sunlight at different times.

Primary Compass Points

N, E, S, W

Secondary Compass Points

NE, SE, SW, NW

Tertiary Compass Points

NNE, ENE, etc.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

Uses satellites to find your location (ex: Google Maps).

GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

Layers map data (ex: mapping crime with population).

Telematics

Combines GPS + data transfer (ex: delivery tracking, OnStar in cars).

How old is the Earth?

Approximately 4.6 billion years old.

Precambrian Era

87% of Earth's history, first life forms.

Paleozoic Era

Marine life, plants, first land animals.

Mesozoic Era

Dinosaurs, birds, breakup of Pangaea.

Cenozoic Era

Mammals dominate, humans evolve.

Crust (Earth)

Outer solid layer (where we live).

Mantle (Earth)

Hot rock, causes plate movement.

Outer Core (Earth)

Liquid metal (iron & nickel).

Inner Core (Earth)

Solid metal, very hot and dense.

Alfred Wegener

Proposed continental drift theory.

Continental Drift Theory

All continents were once one large landmass (Pangaea).

Plate Tectonics

Earth’s crust is made of moving plates.

Divergent Plate Movement

Plates move apart (Mid-Atlantic Ridge).

Convergent Plate Movement

Plates collide (Himalayas).

Transform Plate Movement

Plates slide past (San Andreas Fault).

Ring of Fire

Area around Pacific Ocean where plates meet; high earthquake and volcano activity.

Weather

Short-term (today’s temp, wind).

Climate

Long-term averages over decades.

Latitude (Climate Factor)

Farther from equator = colder.

Ocean Currents (Climate Factor)

Warm/cold water affects temps.

Wind/Air Masses (Climate Factor)

Bring temp and moisture.

Elevation (Climate Factor)

Higher = colder.

Relief (Climate Factor)

Mountains block weather.

Near Water (Climate Factor)

Moderates climate.

Shield (Landform Region)

Rocky, forested, oldest region.

Lowlands (Landform Region)

Flat, fertile, many cities (Great Lakes).

Highlands (Landform Region)

Mountains, tourism, mining.

Climate Change

Long-term shift in global climate.

Sustainability

Meeting needs now without harming the future.

Global Warming

Rise in Earth’s average temp.

Ecological Footprint

Impact of your lifestyle on Earth.

Stewardship

Responsible care for the environment.

Primary Industry

Natural resources (fishing, farming).

Secondary Industry

Manufacturing (making goods).

Tertiary Industry

Services (retail, teachers).

Quaternary Industry

Info/research (IT, scientists).

Globalization

Countries interconnected (trade, tech, migration).

GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

Total value of goods/services in a country.

Developing Country

Poorer countries (e.g. Haiti).

Newly Industrialized Country

Growing industry (e.g. India).

Developed Country

Wealthy, modern (e.g. Canada).

Renewable Resource

Naturally replaced (trees, water).

Non-Renewable Resource

Limited (coal, oil).

Resource

Anything useful to people.

Demography

Study of population (size, growth, patterns).

Population Density Formula

Population ÷ Land Area (km²)

Isodemographic Map

Map where areas are resized based on population.

Birth Rate Formula

births ÷ population × 1000

Death Rate Formula

deaths ÷ population × 1000

Rate of Natural Increase (RNI) Formula

BR – DR

Immigration Rate Formula

immigrants ÷ pop × 1000

Emigration Rate Formula

emigrants ÷ pop × 1000

Net Migration Rate Formula

IR – ER

Population Growth Rate Formula

RNI + Net Migration

Doubling Time Formula

70 ÷ Growth Rate

Population Pyramid

Bar graph showing population by age and gender. Helps predict future needs (e.g. schools, senior care).

Baby Boom

1946–1964, spike in births after WWII; aging boomers = stress on pensions, healthcare.

Economic Immigrant

Skilled workers, investors.

Family Class Immigrant

Sponsored by relatives.

Refugee

Fleeing danger (e.g. war).

Push Factor (Immigration)

War, no jobs, famine.

Pull Factor (Immigration)

Safety, jobs, education.

Obstacle (Immigration)

Language, cost, distance, visas.

Dependency Load

People under 15 and over 65; a high load puts pressure on working population to support services.

Assimilation

Forcing a culture onto another group; examples: residential schools, banning ceremonies/language, taking land.

One of 3 Indigenous Groups

First Nations

One of 3 Indigenous Groups

Métis (mixed Indigenous + European ancestry)

One of 3 Indigenous Groups

Inuit (live in Arctic)