Europe, Africa, Rain Forests & Latin America Final Exam Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering the geography, history, and environmental science of Europe, Africa, and Latin American rain forests based on the final exam study guide.

City-State

A political unit made up of a city and surrounding land, such as Ancient Athens.

Republic

A form of government where citizens elect representatives.

Christianity

A religion based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth that influenced European laws, education, art, and government.

Roman Catholicism

A branch of Christianity centered in Rome and led by the Pope that was a major influence during the Middle Ages.

Eastern Orthodoxy (Greek Orthodoxy)

A major branch of Christianity centered in Eastern Europe and the Byzantine Empire, prevalent in countries like Greece and Russia.

Crusades

Religious wars between Christians and Muslims over the Holy Land.

Renaissance

A period of rebirth in learning, art, science, and literature characterized by humanism and figures like Leonardo da Vinci.

Feudalism

A social system consisting of Kings, Lords, Knights, and Peasants where lords owned land and peasants worked for protection.

Reformation

A religious movement causing a split from the Catholic Church which led to the creation of Protestant churches.

Nationalism

Strong loyalty and pride toward one’s nation.

Holocaust

The murder of about $6\text{ million}$ Jews during WWII by Nazi Germany.

Benelux Countries

An abbreviation for Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg (BEL–NET–LUX).

North Atlantic Drift

A warm ocean current that makes Europe warmer and milder.

Sirocco Wind

A hot wind that blows from North Africa into Southern Europe.

Ethnic Cleansing

The forced removal of ethnic groups using violence.

Plateau Continent

A nickname for Africa because much of the continent sits at high elevation.

Nile River

The longest river in Africa.

Sahara Desert

The largest hot desert in the world.

Mount Kilimanjaro

The highest mountain in Africa.

Rift Valley

A landform created because tectonic plates pull apart.

Basin

A large depression in Earth’s surface.

Escarpment

A steep slope with flat land or a plateau above it.

Aquifer

Underground storage of water.

Serengeti

An area known for its grasslands and wildlife migration.

Transportation Problems in Africa

Difficulty in trade and travel caused by rapids, waterfalls, and cataracts in African rivers.

Aswan High Dam

A structure providing flood control and hydroelectric power that also blocks nutrient-rich silt and reduced soil fertility.

Market Economy

An economic system where production is based on consumer demand.

Chromium

A resource used to make stainless steel.

Desertification

The spread of desert conditions into fertile areas caused by overgrazing, deforestation, and climate change.

Biodiversity

The variety of all living organisms.

Canopy

The top layer of rain forest trees.

Percent of Earth Covered by Rain Forests

About $6\%$.

Slash-and-Burn Farming

A major cause of deforestation involving cutting and burning forests to create farmland.

Soil Erosion

The process where soil is exposed and wearing away increases after trees are removed.