Study Guide World Geography Final 2023

Define: Savanna

A savanna is a type of ecosystem characterized by grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs. It typically occurs in tropical or subtropical regions, where there is a distinct dry and wet season. Savannas are known for their vast open spaces and are often home to a variety of wildlife, including large herbivores such as elephants and giraffes.

**Define: Rift Valley** -

A rift valley is a linear-shaped lowland region that is formed by the movement of tectonic plates. It occurs when the Earth's crust is stretched and thinned, causing the land to sink and form a valley. The East African Rift Valley is a famous example, known for its unique geological features, including lakes, volcanoes, and steep cliffs.

**Define: Dormant** -

Dormant refers to a state of temporary inactivity or suspension. In the context of natural phenomena, it is often used to describe volcanoes that are currently not erupting but have the potential to become active in the future.

**Define: Deforestation**

\- Deforestation refers to the clearing, removal, or destruction of forests, typically for the purpose of converting the land to other uses such as agriculture, logging, or urban development. It is a significant environmental issue as it can lead to habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and climate change.

**Define: Rainforest** -

A rainforest is a dense forest characterized by high rainfall and humidity throughout the year. It is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, many of which are unique to these ecosystems. Rainforests play a crucial role in maintaining global climate balance and are often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth."

**Define: Hydroelectric powe**r

- Hydroelectric power is a form of renewable energy generated by harnessing the power of moving water, typically from rivers or dams. It involves the conversion of the kinetic energy of water into electricity through turbines and generators. Hydroelectric power is considered a clean and sustainable energy source.

**Define: Landlocked**

\- Landlocked refers to a geographical location or country that is entirely surrounded by land and has no direct access to the sea or ocean. Landlocked countries often rely on neighboring countries for trade and transportation of goods.

**Define: Poaching**

- Poaching refers to the illegal hunting, capturing, or killing of wildlife, typically for commercial purposes such as the trade in animal parts or trophies. Poaching is a significant threat to endangered species and can disrupt ecosystems and biodiversity.

**Define: Habitat**

\- A habitat is a specific environment or area in which a particular species or organism naturally lives and thrives. It provides the necessary resources, such as food, water, shelter, and suitable conditions, for the survival and reproduction of organisms.

**Define: Ecotourism**

- Ecotourism refers to responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of local communities, and involves education and interpretation. It aims to promote environmental conservation, biodiversity protection, and cultural understanding while providing economic benefits to local communities.

**Define: Triangular Trade(Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade)** -

Triangular Trade, also known as the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, was a historical trading system during the 16th to 19th centuries involving Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It involved the exchange of goods, including slaves from Africa to the Americas, raw materials from the Americas to Europe, and manufactured goods from Europe to Africa.

**Define: Colonialism**

- Colonialism refers to the practice of establishing and maintaining colonies by a country in a foreign territory, with the aim of economic exploitation, political control, and cultural dominance. It was a prominent feature of European expansion and imperialism from the 15th to the 20th centuries.

**Define: Arid**

- Arid refers to a climate or region that is extremely dry, with little or no rainfall. Arid regions often have limited vegetation and are characterized by desert landscapes with sparse vegetation and high temperatures.

**Define: Emirate**

- An emirate is a political territory or region ruled by an emir, who is typically a hereditary monarch or ruler in Islamic countries. The term is commonly associated with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where seven emirates form a federation.

**Define: Suffrage**

- Suffrage refers to the right to vote in political elections. It represents the democratic principle of allowing individuals to participate in the decision-making process of their government by casting their vote.

**Define: Empire**

- An empire is a large political entity or state that extends its rule over various territories, nations, and peoples through military conquest or political control. Empires are characterized by their centralized authority and dominance over subordinate regions.

**Define: Drought**

- Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low precipitation or lack of water supply, leading to water shortages and dry conditions. It can have severe impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, and human populations, causing crop failure, food scarcity, and environmental degradation.

**Define: Reincarnation**

- Reincarnation is a belief or concept that suggests the rebirth of an individual's soul or consciousness into a new body after death. It is often associated with certain religious and philosophical traditions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.

**Define: Archipelago**

- An archipelago is a group or chain of islands, usually found in the ocean or a large body of water. It is formed by volcanic activity, tectonic shifts, or other geological processes. The Philippines, Indonesia, and the Maldives are examples of countries that consist of archipelagos.

**Define: Tsunami**

\- A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves, usually caused by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. Tsunamis can cause widespread destruction along coastlines when they reach the shore.

**Define: Assimilation**

\- Assimilation refers to the process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural, social, and linguistic norms of a dominant or host society. It often involves the loss or erosion of one's original cultural identity and the adoption of the customs and practices of the majority.

**Why did the Europeans want to colonize Africa?**

Europeans wanted to colonize Africa for several reasons, including economic interests, such as access to valuable natural resources like gold, diamonds, and rubber, as well as the desire to establish trading networks and control strategic trade routes. Additionally, there were political motivations, such as expanding their empires, establishing dominance over rival European powers, and gaining geopolitical advantages. Some Europeans also believed in the mission of spreading Christianity and "civilizing" the indigenous African populations according to their own cultural standards.

**What is an ethnic group?**

An ethnic group is a distinct community or population with a shared cultural heritage, including language, traditions, customs, beliefs, and often a common ancestry or history. Ethnic groups are characterized by their unique cultural practices and often have a sense of shared identity and belonging.

**What is an oral traditions?**

Oral traditions refer to cultural practices and forms of expression that are transmitted orally from one generation to another. They include storytelling, folklore, songs, proverbs, myths, and other forms of spoken or sung narratives. Oral traditions are an essential means of preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge and heritage in societies without a written tradition.

**What are reserves in Africa?**

In the context of Africa, reserves typically refer to protected areas or national parks established for the conservation of wildlife and natural resources. These reserves are designated to safeguard endangered species, preserve biodiversity, and promote ecological sustainability. They often restrict human activities and provide a sanctuary for wildlife and natural habitats.

**What are literacy rates?**

Literacy rates refer to the percentage of the population in a given area or country that can read and write. It is a measure of a population's educational attainment and ability to engage in written communication and literacy-based activities. Higher literacy rates are generally associated with increased access to education and socioeconomic development.

**What are examples of natural resources in Africa?**

Africa is rich in various natural resources, including minerals (such as gold, diamonds, copper, and uranium), oil and gas, timber, agricultural land, and wildlife. Other resources include water, fertile soil, and renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. These resources have significant economic value and can contribute to the development and prosperity of African countries.

**What is a coup?**

A coup, short for coup d'état, refers to the sudden and often violent overthrow of a government or a change in political leadership by a group, typically the military or a faction within the existing power structure. Coups are often characterized by the suspension of the current constitution, the dissolution of the legislature, and the installation of a new regime.

**What is a famine?**

A famine is a severe shortage of food in a specific region or country, resulting in widespread hunger, malnutrition, and starvation. Famine usually occurs due to a combination of factors, including natural disasters, crop failure, economic issues, armed conflicts, or political instability, and can lead to significant loss of life.

**What is a refugee?**

A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their home country due to persecution, war, violence, or other life-threatening circumstances. Refugees seek safety and protection in another country and cannot or do not want to return to their home country due to fear of persecution or danger.

**What is apartheid in South Africa?**

A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their home country due to persecution, war, violence, or other life-threatening circumstances. Refugees seek safety and protection in another country and cannot or do not want to return to their home country due to fear of persecution or danger.

**What is the difference between nonrenewable and renewable resources?**

Nonrenewable resources are natural resources that cannot be replenished or renewed at the same rate they are consumed. Examples include fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) and minerals. Once these resources are depleted, they cannot be easily replaced. Renewable resources, on the other hand, are resources that can be naturally replenished or regenerated over time, such as solar energy, wind power, and forests.

**What are hieroglyphics, dynasty, pharaohs/deities in ancient Egypt?**

Hieroglyphics are a system of writing used in ancient Egypt. They consist of pictorial symbols or signs that represent objects, sounds, or ideas. Dynasty refers to a sequence of rulers from the same family or lineage who hold power successively. Pharaohs were the kings or rulers of ancient Egypt and were often considered divine or god-like figures.

**What role did the Nile play in ancient Egypt?**

The Nile River played a crucial role in ancient Egypt as it provided water, fertile soil, and transportation. It allowed for agriculture to flourish along its banks, supporting the development of a complex society and civilization. The annual flooding of the Nile deposited nutrient-rich silt on the floodplains, creating fertile land for farming. The river also served as a vital trade route, facilitating economic activities and cultural exchange.

**What did Gandhi mean by civil disobedience?**

Civil disobedience, as advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, refers to the nonviolent refusal to comply with certain laws, policies, or commands of a government or authority, as a means of expressing opposition or protest. It involves peacefully breaking unjust laws or practices to highlight their injustice and to bring about social or political change through nonviolent means.

**How are mountains formed?**

Mountains are formed through various geological processes, primarily tectonic activity. When tectonic plates collide or separate, the Earth's crust can be pushed upward or folded, leading to the formation of mountain ranges. Volcanic activity can also contribute to mountain formation when magma rises to the surface and solidifies as volcanic rock.

**What activities are in the Ring of Fire?**

The Ring of Fire is an area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. It is characterized by a nearly continuous series of tectonic plate boundaries, including subduction zones, where one plate is forced beneath another. The Ring of Fire is known for its high seismic and volcanic activity, making it prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of volcanic arcs and mountain ranges.

**What are push/pull factors that cause people to migrate?**

Push and pull factors are factors that influence people's decisions to migrate from one place to another. Push factors refer to negative conditions or circumstances that compel individuals to leave their home, such as poverty, political instability, armed conflict, lack of opportunities, or environmental disasters. Pull factors, on the other hand, are positive conditions or attractions that draw people to a particular destination, such as economic opportunities, political stability, better living standards, or family reunification.

**What is another name for a hurricane is other parts of the world?**

In other parts of the world, hurricanes are known by different names. In the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific regions, hurricanes are the same as typhoons in the Western Pacific and cyclones in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific.

**What was the purpose of the silk Road?**

The Silk Road was a network of ancient trade routes connecting the East and West, spanning from China to the Mediterranean. It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, technologies, and cultural practices between different civilizations. The Silk Road played a crucial role in the development of commerce, cultural diffusion, and the transmission of knowledge between Asia, Europe, and Africa.