Desert -    dry area which receives such s small amount of precipitation that little for no plant or animal life can
                survive there permanently. Deserts may be very hot (Sahara, Africa) or very cold (Antarctica).

Equator — Imaginary line that circles Earth halfway between the poles.

Geography — the study of the features of the earth and of the places where plants and animals life and how they
                affect and are affected by the environment.

Glacier –    huge mass of slowly moving ice (Malaspina Glacier, North America).

Gulf –        large part of an ocean that extends t=into land. A gulf is usually larger then a bay. (Persian Gulf, Asia).

Hemisphere – one half of the earth. When divided at the equator, the two halves are the Northern and Southern
                Hemispheres. When divided from pole to pole, the two halves are the Eastern Hemisphere (Africa,
                Australia, Europe) and the Western Hemisphere (North and South America).

Hill –         land that rises to a summit no more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding area.

Island –     land completely surrounded by water (Madagascar, Africa)

Isthmus –  narrow neck of land connecting two larger areas of land (Isthmus of Panama connecting North and
                South America).

Lake –       a body of water surrounded by land. Lakes are usually filled with fresh water (Lake Superior, North
                 America)

Mountain – land that rises higher than hills above surrounding area (Himalayas, Asia).

Mouth –     the lower end of a river where it flows into another body of water (Huang He at Bo Hai, Asia).’

Ocean –    the lower end of salt water. The four oceans (Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific) cover almost
                three-fourths of the earth’s surface.

Peninsula –area of land almost surrounded by water (Malay Peninsula, Asia).

Plain –       large area of flat or gently rolling, treeless land (Great Plains, North America).

Plateau –   large area of level land that is higher then surrounding land. Plateaus are often cut by canyons, and a
                mountain system is usually located on at least one edge (Plateau of Tibet, Asia).

Poles –     northern and southernmost points on the earth. The North Pole is on an icecap of the Arctic Ocean
               and the South Pole in on Antarctica.

Prairies -  flat, or rolling land with few trees but covered with grasses.

Precipitation – rain, hail, sleet, snow and other types of moisture that fall to earth.

River –      large amount of flowing fresh water (Nile River, Africa).

Savanna – dry area of flat or rolling land that supports grasses but few trees. Savannas are located in tropical
                or subtropical areas.

Sea –        part of an ocean that has been identified by geographers as a distinct body of water with its own name
               (Mediterranean Sea, Europe/Africa).

Steppe –   large area that experiences very hot and very cold temperatures and little precipitation but supports
                hardy grasses and other plants.

Strait –     narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water (Strait of Gibraltar connecting the
                Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea).

Summit –  highest point on a hill or mountain.

Swamp –  area of land that is very wet year round and in which trees and shrubs grow (Everglades, North America).

Tributary – stream or river that flows into a larger stream or river. A river and its tributaries form a river system
                 (Madeira River, South America).

Tundra –   treeless plain close to or above the Arctic Circle. Some vegetation grows in the topsoil when it thaws in
                 summer, but the subsoil is frozen.

Valley –    long, low-lying area usually located between ranges of hills or mountains (Sacramento Valley, North
               America).

Volcano – cone-shaped mountain formed by lava and/or other materials that have erupted from the interior of the
                earth (Mount Fuji, Asia).