Honors World Regional Studies Spring Final

Chernozem

rich, black topsoil found in the Northern European Plain, especially in Russia and Ukraine

Volga River

The longest river in Europe and Russia's most important commercial river.

Caucasus Mountains

Southern Border of Russia

Lake Baikal

Deepest lake in the world 20% of worlds water supply

The mountain range that separates the Northern European and West

Ural Mountains

Siberian plains

Vast flatland area in central Russia that stretches from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the foothills of the Altai Mountains in the south

Siberia

the part of Russia that lies on the continent of Asia

Continentality

The effect of distance from the moderating influence of the sea on climate

Taiga

largest forest on earth

Aral Sea

once 4th largest freshwater lake in the world; water from its 2 main rivers has been divided into cotton fields, no native fish left of 24 spaces

Baltic Republics

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

Ukraine

country located in Eastern Europe, has a rich history and culture and is known for its architecture, music, and literature

Cold War

period of political tension and military rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union that lasted from the end of WWII in 1945 until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)

federal socialist state that existed from 1922 to 1991, located in Eurasia and composed of 15 republics

Czars

rulers of Russia from the late Middle Ages until the Russian Revolution of 1917, had complete control over the government and people of Russia

Peter the Great

famous leader of Russia before communism and modernized in 1680-1700

Tierra del Fuego

an archipelago located at the southern tip of South America, home to several indigenous groups

Andes

longest mountain range in the world on the western coast of South America stretching from Venezuela to Chile and Argentina

Cerrado

type of savanna ecosystem found in Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay; important agricultural region

llanos

vast tropical grassland region that covers part of Colombia and Venezuela, home to a wide variety of plant and animal species

Greater Antilles

group of islands in the Caribbean Sea, known for their tropical climate, beaches, and rich history and culture

Plantation-based economy

economic system based on the production and consumption of plant-based products rather than animal-based products, often associated with sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation

Inca

people and civilization of the Inca Empire which was centered in the Andes from the 13th to 16th century, known for its vast network of roads and communication systems

Push factors and pull factors

factors that influence a person's decision to migrate from one place to another

Slash-and-Burn

method of land clearing that involves cutting down and burning trees and other vegetation in order to make way for agriculture or other land uses

Infrastructure

the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities that are necessary for the operation of a society or enterprise, essential for economic development

Aztec Empire

pre-Columbian civilization that existed in Central Mexico and was centered in the city of Tenochtitlan, known for their advanced agricultural practices, complex social and political organization, and their religious beliefs

Tenochtitlán

was the capital city of the Aztec Empire, center of Aztec culture and religion and was home to many important buildings

Institutional Revolutionary Party

political party in Mexico known for its authoritarian rule, control over the media and other institutions, and its use of corruption and violence to maintain power

Maquiladoras

manufacturing plants that are located in Mexico, known for their low wages, poor working conditions, and lack of labor production

NAFTA

trade agreement between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, purpose was to eliminate trade barriers between the 3 countries and to promote economic growth and development in the region

Rub Al-Khali (The Empty Quarter)

the size of Texas, one of the largest sandy deserts in the world, surface temps can reach 150 degrees, 10 years may pass without rain

Oasis

fertile land area in a desert or arid region that is characterized by the presence of water and vegetation

Plateau

land area with a flat surface considerably higher than the surrounding area (much of Africa)

Steppe

a vast, grassy plain with no trees and very few bushes or other forms of vegetation, often found in semi-arid or arid regions and are characterized by their dry climate and low rainfall

Negev

a desert region located in the southern part of Israel, covers 60% of the country's land area

Salt flat

flat land made of chemical salts that remain after winds evaporate the moisture in the soil

Mosque

a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith

Theocratic

religious leaders control the government

Mecca

a city in Saudi Arabia that is considered the holiest city in Islam

Ramadan

a month-long period of fasting from sunrise to sunset

Muhammad

the prophet and founder of Islam, born in Mecca

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Companies

Golan Heights

a region located in the Middle East characterized by its high elevation and rocky terrain, home to several important water sources including the Jordan River

Wadis

the usually dry bed of a river or stream in a desert or semiarid area

drip irrigation

a method of supplying irrigation water through tubes that literally drip water onto the soil at the base of each plant.

Desalinization

A process of removing salt from ocean water

fossil water

water pumped from underground aquifers

crude oil

petroleum that has not been processed

Dead Sea

a landlocked salt lake

refinery

A factory in which crude oil is heated and separated into fuels and other products

Jordan River

Provides a natural boundary for Israel & Jordan

Tigris River

River valley supported by ancient civilizations

Dome of the Rock

the spot where Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad rose into heaven

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

a group formed in the 1960s to regain the Arab land in Israel for Palestinian Arabs

Western Wall

for Jews, the holiest site in Jerusalem; the only remaining portion of the Second Temple, built in 538 B.C. and destroyed in A.D. 70 by the Romans

Zionism

the goal of the creation and support of a Jewish homeland in Palestine

Crusades

series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East during the Middle Ages

Kurds

Ethnic group that lives in parts of Iraq and Turkey. They often suffer persecution in both countries, and are currently under the protection of the United Nations in Iraq.

Sunni

one of the 2 main branches of Islam, make up a majority of the world's Muslim population

Shi'ite

one of the 2 main branches of Islam, make up a minority of the world's Muslim population

Mesopotamia

many civilizations were started here in the "land between rivers" (a.k.a The Fertile Crescent)

Taliban

a fundamentalist Islamic militia

Gaza Strip

A territory along the Mediterranean Sea just northeast of the Sinai Peninsula; part of the land set aside for Palestinians, which was occupied by Israel in 1967.

Guest Workers

Workers who migrate to the more developed countries of Northern and Western Europe, usually from Southern of Eastern Europe or from North Africa, in search of higher-paying jobs.

West Bank

territory located in the Middle East bordered by Israel to the west and Jordan to the east, home to Palestinians

Land reform

More balanced distribution of land among farmers

Caste System

a social structure in which classes are determined by heredity

Raj

When Great Britain controlled India

nonviolent resistance

A movement that uses all means of protest except violence

Mughal Empire

Muslim state (1526-1857) exercising dominion over most of India in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Microcredit

a small loan available to poor entrepreneurs, to help small businesses grow and raise living standards

Indus Valley Civilization

an early civilization, known for its advanced culture, that developed in the Indus River valley in India