Basic & 5 Themes
What is the definition of geography?
The study of the Earth's physical features, atmosphere, human activity, and how humans interact with their environment.
What are the names of the two main baseline lines of grid coordinates—one measuring North/South and the other East/West?
The Equator (latitude) and the Prime Meridian (longitude)
What are the 4 main physical layers of the Earth, and which layer do we live on?
Inner Core, Outer Core, Mantle, and Crust; We live on the Crust
What is the main difference between weather and climate?
Weather is short-term daily atmospheric conditions, while climate is the average long-term pattern over years.
What is the difference between a push factor and a pull factor in migration?
A push factor forces people to leave a place (e.g., war, poverty), while a pull factor attracts people to a new place (e.g., jobs, safety)
Name the 5 Themes of Geography.
Location, Place, Human-Environment Interaction, Movement, and Region
What does GPS stand for, and why is it important?
Global Positioning System; it provides exact coordinates and real-time navigation.
What was the name of the ancient supercontinent where all of Earth's landmasses were joined together?
Pangaea (formed through Continental Drift)
Where is most of Earth's usable fresh water stored?
Glaciers and Ice Caps
What is a cultural hearth?
A center or origin point where a culture, civilization, or major ideas first developed.
What is the difference between absolute location and relative location?
Absolute location is an exact spot using coordinates or an address, while relative location describes where a place is in relation to other places.
Why do geographers use map projections, and what is the main problem with putting a globe on a flat surface?
Globes cannot easily be flattened, so projections are used, which always cause distortion in shape, area, distance, or direction.
What are Earth's 4 spheres, and what does each study?
Atmosphere (Air), Lithosphere/Geosphere (Land/Rock), Hydrosphere (Water), and Biosphere (Living Things)
How does the tilt of Earth on its axis affect the planet?
It causes the seasons as Earth revolves around the sun
What is cultural diffusion?
The spread of cultural beliefs, traits, and activities from one group of people to another.
How does human geography differ from physical geography?
Physical geography studies natural features and processes (like landforms and climate), while human geography studies human activities, cultures, and populations
What is the most common map projection used in classrooms and on Google Maps?
The Mercator Projection
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
Weathering breaks down rocks in place, while erosion carries away the rock/soil particles by wind, water, or ice.
What are the 4 main steps of the water cycle?
Evaporation (and Transpiration), Condensation, Precipitation, and Collection/Runoff.
Name the 5 major world religions.
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism
What are the 3 main types of regions?
Formal region, Functional region, and Perceptual (Vernacular) region
What is a map scale?
The ratio between the distance on a map and the actual distance on Earth's surface.
Name the three types of plate boundaries and describe how they move.
Convergent: Plates collide/push together.
Divergent: Plates pull apart.
Transform: Plates slide past each other.
Name the 5 major climate categories.
Tropical, Temperate, Dry/Semi-Arid, Continental, and Polar
What does a Population Pyramid for a developing nation look like compared to a developed nation?
A developing nation has a wide base (high birth rates) shaped like a pyramid (Stage 2/3), while a developed nation has a narrower base and wider top/middle (Stage 4)