Virginia Geography Practice Flashcards

These flashcards provide definitions for key geographical terms, Virginia's regions, bordering states, and physical features based on the course materials.

Geography

The study of landforms and locations.

Landform

A natural feature of the Earth’s surface such as a mountain, valley or plateau.

Location

A specific place where something or someone is.

Compass rose

A symbol on a map that shows directions.

Cardinal Directions

The four main points of a compass: North, South, East, and West.

Intermediate Directions

The directions located between each of the cardinal directions: Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest.

Relative location

A general way to describe the position of something in relation to another place; it is not exact and is similar to an estimate.

Relative terms

Words that describe relative location to show the connection between two objects or places, such as above, below, next to, near, and bordering.

North Carolina

The state that borders Virginia to the south.

Tennessee

The state that borders Virginia to the southwest.

Kentucky

The state that borders Virginia to the west.

West Virginia

The state that borders Virginia to the northwest.

Maryland

The state that borders Virginia to the north.

Region

An area with similar characteristics.

Fall Line

The natural border between the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) and Piedmont regions where the land flattens out.

Body of water

Any large accumulation, or collection, of water on Earth’s surface.

Chesapeake Bay

An estuary located in the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) region where many rivers flow into before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.

Estuary

A body of water that is a mixture of saltwater and freshwater.

Brackish water

Water that is a mixture of saltwater from the ocean and fresh water from rivers.

Atlantic Ocean

Specific body of water bordering Virginia that served as a transportation link to other continents and countries for early settlers.

Coastal Plain (Tidewater)

Virginia geographic region characterized by flat, sandy land; it stretches east from the Piedmont to the Atlantic Ocean.

Eastern Shore Peninsula

A piece of land in the Coastal Plain region that lies between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and James Rivers

The four major rivers in Virginia important to early history for travel, food, and fresh drinking water.

Piedmont

Virginia geographic region characterized by rolling hills, located west of the Fall Line.

Blue Ridge Mountains

Virginia geographic region characterized by old, rounded mountains.

Valley and Ridge

Virginia geographic region located in the western part of the state, characterized by deep river valleys, forests, and steep ridges.

Valley

A low land area between two higher areas, such as hills or mountains.

Ridge

A long, elevated area of land similar to a mountain range.

Luray Caverns

The largest cave system in the Eastern United States, containing massive underground chambers of limestone formations.

Appalachian Plateau

Virginia's smallest region, located in the southwestern corner, characterized by an elevated area of land with a flat top.

Plateau

An elevated area of land that is flat on top.

Product (Commodity)

Anything made or grown to be sold or used.

Industry

A group of businesses or companies that make similar products or provide similar services.

Manufacturing

The process of making things.