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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
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