Geography Basics
Lines of latitude run in this general direction.
East-West or Side to Side
A landform that rises high above the surrounding land.
Mountain
A large body of salt water.
Ocean
A large, permanent place where many people live and work.
City
A structure that allows people, vehicles, or trains to cross a river or valley.
Bridge
Lines of longitude run in this general direction.
North to South or Up and Down.
A low area of land between hills or mountains.
Valley
A body of water partly surrounded by land.
Sea
A sheltered area of water where ships can safely anchor.
Harbor
A system of tracks used to transport people and goods by train.
Railroad
This is the most important line of longitude.
The Prime Meridian
A large, mostly flat area of land.
Plain
A narrow passage of water.
Strait
A human-made waterway that allows boats and ships to travel between bodies of water.
Canal
A major road designed to move large numbers of vehicles over long distances.
Highway
This is the most important line of latitude.
The Equator
A piece of land surrounded by water on three sides.
Peninsula
A body of water surrounded by land that does not directly connect to an ocean.
Lake
A fortified place built to protect a strategic location.
Fort
A place where aircraft take off, land, and transport people or goods.
airport
Every location on Earth is part of how many hemispheres?
Two
A narrow strip of land connecting two larger areas of land.
Isthmus
An area where a river spreads out before entering another body of water.
Delta
A large area where farming is an important economic activity.
Agricultural region
A structure built to control or store water.
Dam