altitude: - how high land is above (or below) sea level.

Antarctic Circle: - The Antarctic Circle is an imaginary line (similar to the equator) that is found around 66 00 South latitude.

arable: - land that can be used to grow crops.

arid: - a way of describing a climate that is dry and does not receive much rainfall

Australasia: - a region of the continent of Oceania. This region includes Australia, New Zealand, and a few smaller islands belonging to Australia.

Austronesian: - a culture found in Madagascar and other areas throughout the world offering a unique mix of Oceania, Australia, and Polynesia cultures.

avalanche: - a massive movement of large slabs of snow that slide down the sides of a mountain.

cardinal direction: - a term used to describe all four primary directions (north, south, east and west).

dam: - a wall that is built to hold back the water of a creek, stream, or river. Dams may also be used to generate hydroelectric power, to provide water supply to a town or city, to control flooding, or to create recreational areas or habitats for wildlife.

daylight saving: - a way states and countries change their clocks in spring and fall to make better use of daylight. It moves an extra hour of daylight to afternoon during March to October. This helps people who work outside. Daylight saving time also conserves energy, moving activities into the daylight so we do not need to use lights. Not all places participate in daylight saving time.

delta: - the triangular piece of land (usually sand and soil) that is located at the mouth (or inlet) of a river where it meets salt water.

deltas: - the triangular piece of land (usually sand and soil) that is located at the mouth (or inlet) of a river where it meets salt water.

dissolution: - to dissolve or disappear.

drought: - a severe water shortage (very little rain).

droughts: - severe water shortages (very little rain).

earthquakes: - shaking and vibration on the surface of the earth. Earthquakes can be a result of underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity.

eastern hemisphere: - all land and water east of the prime meridian.

endemic: - A species that is endemic, is not found naturally anywhere else in the world.

English Chunnel: - an underground train tunnel that connects France to England. It took 7-years, 15,000 people, and $21 billion to complete. This rail tunnel is the 2nd largest rail tunnel in the world.

equator : - an imaginary line on the earth's surface that is positioned halfway between the north pole and the south pole. The equator divides the earth into the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere.

estuary: - the meeting place for fresh water (rivers) and salt water (oceans). Many cities located at estuaries have become important centers of commerce due to the convenience of the port.

Eurasia: - the giant land mass that encompasses parts of Europe and Asia.

European Union: - currently comprised of 28 countries. It was established in 1993. Some of the EU members include Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Poland, Finland, France, Germany, and numerous others. Additional countries have been added every year. To be a member of the EU, countries must have a stable democracy, respect for human rights, fair laws, a functioning market economy that is able to compete within the Union, and some other requirements.

exported: - when a crop (or another product) is sent or transported to another country (for money).

Federal Republic: - self-governing states united by a federal government. The United States is an example of a Federal Republic.

federal subject: - similar to a state. It is a way that a country divides up the land into smaller governmental sections. Russia has 83 federal subjects.

federal subjects: - similar to a state. It is a way that a country divides up the land into smaller governmental sections. Russia has 83 federal subjects.

Feldspar: - group of minerals found in crystals. They are usually white, red, blue, or green.

Foehn: - winds that are dry and hot coming from the mountain area.

hemisphere: - half of a sphere.

hybrid map: - a map that combines satellite images taken of the earth from space with lines for roads and markings and names of landmarks.

inhospitable: - a place that has a climate and conditions that make it hard for many plants and animals to live and grow.

International Dateline: - an imaginary line of longitude, that is located on the opposite side of the world as the Prime Meridian. When you cross the International Dateline heading east, you subtract 24-hours. When you head west, you add 24-hours.

island: - land that is surrounded on all sides by water.

isthmus: - a narrow strip of land that connects two larger bodies of land.

land subsidence: - occurs because of the lowering of a portion of the Earth's crust. When the waters get lower, new land areas appear. It is kind of like land shifting and reshaping itself.

landlocked: - an area that is surrounded on all sides by land, no water.

landslide: - the downward flow of earth, rocks, and debris from a slope or hill due to gravity.

latitude: - the lines that run across (east and west) a map. Lines of latitude measure degrees via north or south. The equator is at 0 degrees latitude.

legend: - another term for a key on a map. It explains the symbols used in the map. The legend may include a map scale, origin, and other information about the map.

longitude: - lines that run up and down the map (north and south). These lines are used to measure degrees east or west from the prime meridian. The prime meridian is located at 0 degrees longitude.

map coordinates: - numbers that provide the exact location of a specified country or other area. The coordinates provide the degrees of longitude and latitude. Coordinates help people locate specific areas on a map.

map scale: - a graphic or line that shows the relationship between the distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the earth. For example, 1 inch may equal 500 miles. This allows users to calculate the approximate distance between two locations on a map.

Marine: - a climate that is under the predominant influence of the sea. It is also known as a maritime climate and/or oceanic climate.

Melanesia: - a region of Oceania. It includes the countries of East Timor, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia (territory of France), and Vanuatu. Indonesia is also partly in Micronesia. Indonesia is located on two different continents (Oceania and Asia).

Micronesia: - a region of Oceania. This region consists of the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam (a United States territory), Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Naura, Northern Mariana Islands (another United States territory), and Palau.

Middle East: - a region of countries that are considered to be the gateway from Asia to the east and Europe.

Middle Eastern: - a region (of countries) considered to be the gateway from Asia to the east and Europe.

monsoons: - strong systems of wind, that usually bring in very heavy rains. They influence the climate of a large area.

natural hazard: - extreme weather and/or other conditions caused by nature. Some examples include volcanoes, earthquakes, blizzards, tornadoes, droughts, tsunamis, and typhoons.

Natural hazards: - extreme weather and/or other conditions caused by nature. Some examples include volcanoes, earthquakes, blizzards, tornadoes, droughts, tsunamis, and typhoons.

natural resources: - any substance that is made by nature and used to enhance the lives of living things. Some examples of natural resources include sunlight, minerals, soil, and water.

northern hemisphere : - the half of the planet Earth that is north of the equator. The northern hemisphere contains 90% of the human population and most of the land on the Earth.

Northwest Passage: - a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Canadian Arctic. This passage is a direct route for ships to travel from Europe to Asia across the Arctic Ocean. The passage is becoming ice-free for the first time since satellite records began to be kept in the 1970s.

Oceania: - A region that is made up of many islands and countries. Oceania is divided into four sub-regions. Each of the regions includes numerous islands. The regions are Australasia, Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. Australia is the largest country in Oceania.

Palmer Station: - Palmer Station is a United States research center located in Antarctica. The U.S. has three research centers in Antarctica. Palmer Station is the only one located north of the Antarctica Circle.

Pampas: - the fertile land in Argentina (and a few other South American countries). The Pampas of Argentina are known for their harvest of soybeans. Much of the Pampas in Buenos Aires is also used for grazing cattle. The Pampas experience heavy rainfall and flooding.

peninsula: - a piece of land that is bordered by water (on three or more sides), but is not an island. A peninsula is attached to a larger body of land but sticks out into the water.

peninsulas: - a piece of land that is bordered by water (on three or more sides), but is not an island.

Polynesia: - a region located on the continent of Oceania. Polynesia includes numerous island nations, however many are territories of other countries around the world. The countries in Polynesia include Somoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, French Polynesian, Wallis and Futuna, American Samoa, and the Pitcairn Islands.

Prefecture: - Another word for state or territory. It is a way that a country divides up the land.

Prefectures: - A prefecture is another word for a state or territory. It is the way that some countries divide up their land (for example, Japan).

prime meridian: - the imaginary line that runs up and down a map or globe. It is found at 0 degrees longitude. This imaginary line runs vertically through the United Kingdom, France, Spain, western Africa, and Antarctica. The prime meridian divides the world into the eastern hemisphere and western hemisphere.

provinces: - a name for a secondary level of government (secondary to the country itself). A province is similar to a state (such as Arizona or Texas).

ring of fire: - a circle that encompasses the Pacific Ocean. In that circle, many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. There are over 450 volcanoes in the ring of fire. Sometimes even tsunamis occur in the ring of fire.

river basin: - A river basin is the land that surrounds an area of water, where precipitaion (such as rain or snow) drains downhill into a body of water (a river in this case).

scale: - shows the relationship between the distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the earth. For example, 1 inch may equal 500 miles. This allows users to calculate the approximate distance between two locations on a map.

southern hemisphere : - the half of the planet Earth that is south of the equator. The southern hemisphere contains all of Antarctica and Australia, most of South America, and part of Asia and Africa.

Special Administrative Region: - a region that has their own government, but they are still under the overall jurisdiction of a country. This is very similar to a state or territory.

Special Administrative Regions: - a region that has their own government, but they are still under the overall jurisdiction of a country. This is very similar to a state or territory.

State: - land areas that are under the jurisdiction of a government.

states: - land areas that are under the jurisdiction of a government.

Straits: - narrow passageways that connect two larger bodies of water.

Straits of Gibraltar: - The Straits of Gibraltar connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Subarctic: - a climate with comfortable summer months (never too hot), and extremely frigid winters.

Suez Canal: - The Suez Canal is a manmade canal between Africa and Asia. It was opened in 1869 to allow two-way water transportation between Africa, Asia, and Europe.

suspension bridge: - a bridge that is created by using a deck supported by large cables hung from the towers. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States (built from 1870 - 1883). It is 5,989 feet long.

temperate: - a climate that provides warm summers and mild winters. The temperatures do not typically get extremely hot or cold.

territories: - similar to a state (such as Arizona or Texas). Territories are land areas under the jurisdiction of a government.

territory: - similar to a state (such as Arizona or Texas). Territories are land areas under the jurisdiction of a government.

tropical: - a climate with high temperatures and a decent amount of rainfall. Tropical climates are usually located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, closer to the equator than cooler, temperate climates.

tropical climate: - a climate typically having high temperatures and a decent amount of rainfall. Tropical climates are usually located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, closer to the equator than cooler, temperate climates.

tsunamis: - an enormous ocean wave that is produced by a landslide, volcanic eruption, or a sub-marine earthquake.

typhoon: - a large and powerful tropical cycle with extreme winds. They typically occur in areas around the Western Pacific Ocean or the Indian Ocean.

typhoons: - large and powerful tropical cycles with extreme winds. They typically occur in areas around the Western Pacific Ocean or the Indian Ocean.

Union Territories: - a centrally administered subdivision of India. It is similar to a state or territory. India just calls them Union Territories.

United Kingdom: - located off of the mainland of Europe. The United Kingdom includes England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. There are 60,000,000 people that live in the United Kingdom.

United Nations: - established in 1945, after the end of World War II. There are nearly 200 countries from around the world represented in the United Nations. The goals of the U.N. are to protect and promote peace, security, and economic stability throughout the world.

western civilization: - the modern cultures of North America and Western Europe.

western hemisphere: - all land and water west of the prime meridian.