Philippine Geography and Environmental Issues

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the geography, climate, and environmental issues of the Philippines.

Philippine Archipelago

A tropical archipelago in Southeast Asia with over 7,000 islands and a total land area of about 300,000 sq km.

National Territory

Comprises the Philippine archipelago and all islands, waters, and territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty.

Tectonic Plates

Large, rigid pieces of Earth’s lithosphere that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere and move slowly.

Convergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates collide, forming mountains or trenches.

Divergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates separate, forming rift valleys and new crust.

Transform Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary where plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

Monsoon Winds

Seasonal winds that bring wet or dry conditions to the climate of the Philippines.

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

A low-pressure zone near the equator where trade winds meet, causing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

El Niño

A climatic phenomenon that causes extreme heat and drought.

La Niña

A climatic phenomenon that brings excessive rainfall and flooding.

Renewable Resources

Natural resources that can replenish naturally over time, such as water and solar energy.

Non-Renewable Resources

Natural resources that cannot be replaced within a human lifetime, such as coal and oil.

Forest Resources

Natural resources that provide timber, paper, medicine, and help regulate climate.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms that interact with one another and their environment.

Climate Change

A long-term change in average weather patterns caused by greenhouse gases trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Deforestation

The permanent removal, clearing, or thinning of forests and woodlands caused by human activities.

Urbanization

The growth and development of cities as populations move from rural to urban areas.

Climate Hazards

Dangerous events linked to climate change, such as floods, droughts, and extreme heat.

Vulnerability Mapping

A method to identify and visualize locations at high risk from natural disasters or climate change.

Climate Regulation

The process by which ecosystems absorb carbon and regulate temperature.

Disaster Risk

The potential of harm or loss from natural disasters influenced by environmental, socioeconomic, and human factors.

Resilience

The ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.