Civic 1.01- Guided Notes- The United States Defined

Geography

The study of the Earth's physical features, climate, resources, and human populations.

Culture

The shared beliefs, customs, practices, arts, and behaviors of a specific group of people.

Compass Rose

A figure on a map used to display the orientation of cardinal directions.

Cardinal Directions

The four main compass directions: North (N), South (S), East (E), and West (W).

Map Key

A section of a map (legend) that explains the symbols, colors, and markers used on the map.

Founding Fathers

The group of leaders who helped establish the United States through independence and drafting the Constitution.

Federalism

A political system in which power is divided between a central national government and regional state governments.

Territories

Regions under the jurisdiction of a government that are not fully incorporated as states.

Protectorates

Dependent territories that have local autonomy while receiving protection from a stronger state.

Insular Areas

U.S. territories that are neither part of one of the 50 states nor the District of Columbia.

Citizens

Legally recognized members of a nation with rights, duties, and responsibilities under its government.

U.S. Congress

The federal legislative branch of the U.S. government, composed of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Diverse

Composed of distinct, varied, or differing elements, cultures, or characteristics.

Relative Location

Describing a position in relation to other nearby places, landmarks, or geographic features.

Absolute Location

The exact location of a place on Earth using coordinates or a specific street address.

How does a compass rose help users on a map?

A compass rose shows directional orientation (North, South, East, West), allowing users to navigate relative directions.

How does a map key assist in map navigation?

A map key decodes symbols, colors, and markers, helping users identify physical and political features correctly.

Grand Canyon

A massive, steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River located in Arizona.

Rocky Mountains

A major mountain range stretching from Canada to New Mexico, located in the western United States.

Mississippi River

The second-longest river in North America, flowing south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Great Lakes

Five interconnected freshwater lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario) located in the upper Midwest.

Appalachian Mountains

A historic system of mountains extending from Maine down to Alabama, located in the eastern United States.