Geography vocabulary list with definitions

Geography Vocabulary list with definitions

Geography: Geography is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments. Geographers explore both the physical properties of Earth’s surface and the human societies spread across it

List of Geography vocabulary

Geography vocabulary with definition and example

Altitude

• Definition: The height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.
• Example: The plane was flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet.

Archipelago

• Definition: A group of islands.
• Example: The Philippines is an archipelago comprising over 7,000 islands.

Bay

• Definition: A broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward.
• Example: San Francisco Bay is a large bay in California.

Basin

• Definition: A natural depression on the earth’s surface, typically containing water.
• Example: The Amazon Basin is home to the largest rainforest on earth.

Canyon

• Definition: A deep gorge, typically one with a river flowing through it.
• Example: The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous canyons in the world.

Cape

• Definition: A point of land that juts into the sea.
• Example: Cape Cod is a popular tourist destination in Massachusetts.

Cartography

• Definition: The science or practice of drawing maps.
• Example: Cartography has advanced significantly with the advent of digital mapping technologies.

Climate

• Definition: The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.
• Example: The climate in the Sahara Desert is extremely arid.

Coastline

• Definition: The outline of a coast, especially with regard to its shape and appearance.
• Example: The rugged coastline of Norway is dotted with fjords.

Continent

• Definition: Any of the world’s main continuous expanses of land (e.g., Africa, Asia, Europe).
• Example: Africa is the second largest continent in the world.

Delta

• Definition: A landform at the mouth of a river where it splits into several outlets.
• Example: The Nile Delta is a rich agricultural area in Egypt.

Desert

• Definition: A barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs.
• Example: The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world.

Elevation

• Definition: The height above a given level, especially sea level.
• Example: Denver, Colorado, is known as the “Mile-High City” because its elevation is about 5,280 feet.

Equator

• Definition: An imaginary line around the middle of the earth, equidistant from the North Pole and South Pole.
• Example: The equator passes through 13 countries, including Brazil and Kenya.

Fault

• Definition: A fracture in the earth’s crust resulting in the displacement of one side with respect to the other.
• Example: The San Andreas Fault in California is a well-known geological fault.

Fjord

• Definition: A long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs or steep slopes.
• Example: Norway is famous for its stunning fjords.

Forest

• Definition: A large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth.
• Example: The Amazon Rainforest is the largest forest in the world.

Glacier

• Definition: A slowly moving mass or river of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow.
• Example: The Columbia Glacier in Alaska is one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world.

Hemisphere

• Definition: Half of the earth, usually divided into northern and southern halves by the equator.
• Example: The Northern Hemisphere includes most of North America, Europe, and Asia.

Hill

• Definition: A naturally raised area of land, not as high or craggy as a mountain.
• Example: The rolling hills of Tuscany are famous for their beauty.

Island

• Definition: A piece of land surrounded by water.
• Example: Japan is an island nation in East Asia.

Isthmus

• Definition: A narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link between two larger areas of land.
• Example: The Isthmus of Panama connects North and South America.

Latitude

• Definition: The angular distance of a place north or south of the earth’s equator.
• Example: The latitude of Cairo, Egypt, is about 30 degrees north.

Longitude

• Definition: The angular distance of a place east or west of the Prime Meridian.
• Example: The longitude of Greenwich, England, is 0 degrees.

Map

• Definition: A diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features.
• Example: A world map shows the continents and oceans.

Mountain

• Definition: A large natural elevation of the earth’s surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.
• Example: Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

Ocean

• Definition: A very large expanse of sea, in particular each of the main areas into which the sea is divided.
• Example: The Atlantic Ocean separates North America from Europe.

Peninsula

• Definition: A piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water.
• Example: The Iberian Peninsula includes Spain and Portugal.

Plain

• Definition: A large area of flat or gently undulating land.
• Example: The Great Plains are a major agricultural area in the United States.

Plateau

• Definition: An area of relatively level high ground.
• Example: The Colorado Plateau is known for its high elevation and unique landscape.

River

• Definition: A large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another river.
• Example: The Nile River is the longest river in the world.

Sea

• Definition: A large body of saltwater that is partially enclosed by land.
• Example: The Mediterranean Sea is located between Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Strait

• Definition: A narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water.
• Example: The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Terrain

• Definition: A stretch of land, especially with regard to its physical features.
• Example: The rocky terrain made hiking difficult.

Topography

• Definition: The arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area.
• Example: The topography of the area includes mountains, valleys, and rivers.

Valley

• Definition: A low area of land between hills or mountains, typically with a river or stream flowing through it.
• Example: The Yosemite Valley is renowned for its breathtaking scenery.

Volcano

• Definition: A mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are or have been erupted from the earth’s crust.
• Example: Mount Vesuvius is a famous volcano in Italy.

Waterfall

• Definition: A cascade of water falling from a height, formed when a river or stream flows over a precipice or steep incline.
• Example: Niagara Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world.

Weather

• Definition: The state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.
• Example: The weather forecast predicts sunny skies for the weekend.

Wetland

• Definition: Land consisting of marshes or swamps; saturated land.
• Example: The Everglades in Florida are a vast wetland area.

Antarctica

• Definition: The southernmost continent, containing the South Pole, characterized by its icy landscape.
• Example: Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth.

Arctic

• Definition: The region around the North Pole, characterized by cold temperatures and ice-covered seas.
• Example: Polar bears are native to the Arctic region.

Axis

• Definition: An imaginary line about which a body rotates.
• Example: The Earth rotates on its axis, causing day and night.

Beach

• Definition: A pebbly or sandy shore, especially by the ocean between high- and low-water marks.
• Example: The children built sandcastles on the beach.

Canal

• Definition: An artificial waterway constructed to allow the passage of boats or ships inland or to convey water for irrigation.
• Example: The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Cave

• Definition: A large underground chamber, typically of natural origin.
• Example: The Lascaux Cave in France is famous for its prehistoric paintings.

Channel

• Definition: A length of water wider than a strait, joining two larger areas of water, especially two seas.
• Example: The English Channel separates southern England from northern France.

Cliff

• Definition: A steep rock face, especially at the edge of the sea.
• Example: The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic symbol of the UK.

Coast

• Definition: The part of the land adjoining or near the sea.
• Example: The California coast is famous for its scenic beauty.

Core

• Definition: The central or most important part of something.
• Example: The Earth’s core is composed primarily of iron and nickel.

Creek

• Definition: A small stream.
• Example: The children played in the creek behind their house.

Current

• Definition: A body of water or air moving in a definite direction, especially through a surrounding body of water or air in which there is less movement.
• Example: The Gulf Stream is a powerful Atlantic Ocean current.

Earthquake

• Definition: A sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth’s crust or volcanic action.
• Example: The 2010 Haiti earthquake caused widespread devastation.

Eddy

• Definition: A circular movement of water causing a small whirlpool.
• Example: The canoe got caught in an eddy and spun around.

Evaporate

• Definition: Turn from liquid into vapor.
• Example: The sun’s heat causes water to evaporate from the ocean’s surface.

Geography

• Definition: The study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these.
• Example: Geography helps us understand the relationship between the earth and its inhabitants.

Gulf

• Definition: A large area of sea partially enclosed by land.
• Example: The Gulf of Mexico is a major body of water in North America.

Hillock

• Definition: A small hill or mound.
• Example: The village was built on a hillock overlooking the river.

Horizon

• Definition: The line at which the earth’s surface and the sky appear to meet.
• Example: The sun set below the horizon, casting a beautiful glow over the landscape.

Iceberg

• Definition: A large floating mass of ice detached from a glacier or ice sheet and carried out to sea.
• Example: The Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in 1912.

Lake

• Definition: A large body of water surrounded by land.
• Example: Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes.

Land

• Definition: The part of the earth’s surface that is not covered by water.
• Example: They bought a piece of land to build their new home.

Lightning

• Definition: The occurrence of a natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud.
• Example: The storm was accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Marsh

• Definition: An area of low-lying land which is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide, and typically remains waterlogged at all times.
• Example: The marsh is home to a variety of wildlife.

Meadow

• Definition: A piece of grassland, especially one used for hay.
• Example: The cows were grazing in the meadow.

Mine

• Definition: An excavation in the earth for extracting coal or other minerals.
• Example: The coal mine was closed due to safety concerns.

Mud

• Definition: Soft, sticky matter resulting from the mixing of earth and water.
• Example: The heavy rain turned the dirt road into mud.

Occultation

• Definition: The passage of one celestial body in front of another, cutting off its light.
• Example: The occultation of Jupiter by the moon was observed by astronomers.

Orbit

• Definition: The curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft around a star, planet, or moon.
• Example: The satellite was placed in orbit around the Earth.

Peak

• Definition: The pointed top of a mountain.
• Example: The peak of Mount Everest is the highest point on Earth.

Poles

• Definition: The extremities of the axis of the earth, specifically the North Pole and the South Pole.
• Example: The Arctic is located at the North Pole.

Reef

• Definition: A ridge of jagged rock, coral, or sand just above or below the surface of the sea.
• Example: The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system.

Revolution

• Definition: The movement of an object in a circular or elliptical course around another or about an axis or center.
• Example: The Earth completes one revolution around the sun every year.

Rock

• Definition: The solid mineral material forming part of the surface of the earth and other similar planets.
• Example: The hikers climbed over large rocks to reach the summit.

Rotation

• Definition: The action of rotating around an axis or center.
• Example: The Earth’s rotation causes day and night.

Sands

• Definition: Loose granular material, typically pale yellowish brown, resulting from the erosion of siliceous and other rocks.
• Example: The desert sands stretched out to the horizon.

Shore

• Definition: The land along the edge of a sea, lake, or other large body of water.
• Example: The waves crashed against the shore.

Silt

• Definition: Fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment.
• Example: The river delta is rich in silt.

Snow

• Definition: Atmospheric water vapor frozen into ice crystals and falling in light white flakes.
• Example: The ground was covered with a thick layer of snow.

Spring

• Definition: A place where water naturally flows out from the ground.
• Example: The hot spring is a popular tourist attraction.

Stream

• Definition: A small, narrow river.
• Example: The stream flowed gently through the forest.

Subcontinent

• Definition: A large, distinguishable part of a continent, such as North America or South Asia.
• Example: The Indian subcontinent includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Thunder

• Definition: A loud rumbling or crashing noise heard after a lightning flash due to the expansion of rapidly heated air.
• Example: The thunderstorm kept us awake all night.

Tributary

• Definition: A river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake.
• Example: The Missouri River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River.

Woodland

• Definition: Land covered with trees.
• Example: The woodland area was teeming with wildlife.

Zenith

• Definition: The point in the sky or celestial sphere directly above an observer.
• Example: At noon, the sun was at its zenith.

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