World geography vocabulary wk2

Geography-- the science dealing with the earth's surface including such elements as climate, elevation, population, land use, industries, or states, and of the relationships between each.

Mercator Map—a cylindrical map projection (flat map of a round Earth) which distorts size along higher latitudes--for example, this map might show areas of Africa and South America more accurately than Canada or Russia.  It would show Canada as much bigger than it really is. (Sorry Canada!) 

Latitude—also called parallels.  These lines appear horizontally, and they measure north and south.  0 degrees latitude is the EQUATOR which separates the Northern and Southern hemispheres. 

Longitude—also called meridians.  These lines appear vertically, and they measure east and west.  0 degrees longitude would be the PRIME MERIDIAN (see, it says meridian in it).  This separated the Eastern and Western hemispheres, and it runs through England!

Rotation—one complete spin of Earth on its axis.

Revolution—one elliptical orbit of Earth around the sun.

Greenhouse Effect—A term used to describe the heating of the atmosphere owing to the presence of carbon dioxide and other gases. Without the presence of these gases, heat from the sun would return to space in the form of infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide and other gases absorb some of this radiation and prevent its release, thereby warming the Earth.

Global Warming—an increase in the average temperature worldwide believed to be caused by the greenhouse effect.  Whether this is a process sped up or caused by humans is a point of debate.

Hurricanes—a center of LOW pressure.   This is a tropical, cyclonic storm of the western North Atlantic, having wind speeds of or in excess of 72 miles per hour.

Orographic Effect—moisture in the air is heavy and hard to get OVER a mountain so there is a cooling effect on the windward side (side getting all of the win head on) while on the other side it is dry—creating a rain shadow.

Rain shadow—the windward side of a mountain blocks moisture from getting to the other side (the leeward side), and so the climate is dry—thus, a rain shadow.

Humidity—the amount of water vapor in the air.

Tornadoes--a violent storm with winds whirling around a small area of extremely low pressure, usually characterized by a dark funnel-shaped cloud causing damage along its path

Low Pressure—usually accompanied by unstable weather and humidity (moisture LOW in the air.)  Hurricanes are centers of LOW pressure.

High Pressure—usually bring stable, clear, DRY weather.  Can bring extreme dry heat in summer or bitter cold in winter though.  Key is it is DRY.

Solstice--either the shortest day of the year (winter solstice/Dec. 22 ) or the longest day of the year ( summer solstice/June 21 ).  This is when Earth’s tilt is the greatest towards or away from the sun.

Equinox--the time when night and day are of approximately equal length all over the earth and occurring about March 21 (spring equinox)  and September 22 (autumn equinox)