WORLD GEOGRAPHY FINAL

Pyrenees Mountains

Natural border between Spain and France; example of physical geography shaping political boundaries.

European Union (EU)

Organization promoting economic and political cooperation among European nations.

Industrialization

Process leading to urbanization and economic development, exemplified by Europe's Industrial Revolution.

Volga River

Longest river in Europe, vital for transportation and economy in Russia.

Cold War Division

Germany's division into East and West due to geopolitical conflict after WWII.

Flooding & Polder System

Environmental challenge for the Netherlands; example of human-environment interaction.

Humanism (Renaissance)

Cultural movement emphasizing human potential, originated in Italy.

Ural Mountains

Physical feature dividing Europe and Asia within Russia.

Tundra Climate

Cold, treeless biome found in Siberia; influences population distribution.

Trans-Siberian Railway

Major infrastructure linking Moscow to Vladivostok; supports trade & migration.

Natural Gas (Russia)

Key export resource influencing Russia's economy and geopolitics.

Kazakhstan (Steppe & Nomads)

Central Asian country known for deserts and nomadic heritage.

Aral Sea Disaster

Environmental degradation from Soviet irrigation; example of human impact on environment.

Nile River

Supports Egypt's agriculture and population; example of river valley civilization.

OPEC

Organization coordinating oil production policies among member countries.

Islam

Major world religion originating in Southwest Asia; significant cultural and political influence.

Suez Canal

Strategic waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea; vital trade route.

Deserts (Arabian Peninsula)

Dominant feature shaping settlement and economy in the Middle East.

Territorial Conflict (Israel-Palestine)

Geopolitical dispute over land claims in Southwest Asia.

Tigris & Euphrates Rivers

Crucial for agriculture and civilization in Iraq.

Sahara Desert

Largest hot desert influencing climate, settlement, and trade in North Africa.

Desertification (Sahel)

Degradation of land from overgrazing and drought in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Congo River

Longest river in Sub-Saharan Africa; key for transportation and ecosystems.

Colonization (Africa)

European control over African territories; legacy seen in current borders.

Apartheid (South Africa)

System of institutionalized racial segregation; political geography example.

Conflict Resources (Diamonds)

Natural resources fueling conflict in D.R. Congo.

Congo Basin (Rainforest)

Region with high biodiversity; central to environmental studies.

Monsoon

Seasonal wind pattern critical for agriculture in South Asia.

Ganges River

Sacred river in Hinduism; vital for agriculture and settlement.

Partition of India/Pakistan

Division post-British rule; example of cultural and religious conflict.

India (Outsourcing Hub)

Global center for IT services; reflects economic globalization.

Air Pollution (South Asia)

Environmental challenge from urbanization and industrial growth.

Himalayas

Natural barrier influencing climate, culture, and geopolitics in Asia.

One-Child Policy (China)

Government policy to control population growth; impacts demographics.

Confucianism

Philosophy emphasizing respect, hierarchy, and social harmony in East Asia.

Japan (Constitutional Monarchy)

Example of government structure and economic influence in East Asia.

Korean Peninsula (North/South Divide)

Region divided by Cold War geopolitics into two states.

South China Sea Disputes

Geopolitical conflict over maritime claims in Southeast Asia.

Rising Sea Levels (Oceania)

Environmental threat to island nations due to climate change.

ASEAN

Association of Southeast Asian Nations promoting regional cooperation and trade.