An absolute location is the exact point where a spot is located on Earth.
My absolute location is at the corner of Walter street and George avenue.
Distortion
Distortion is an alteration in the size, shape, or location of a place when it is displayed on a map.
The distortion of the of Earth is very noticeable in this map.
Map Projection
Map projection is a way of depicting the round Earth on a flat surface.
Today in Geography class, we looked at a map projection of Earth.
Relative Location
Relative location is where a spot is located in connection to another place.
My relative location is at the coffee shop next to the park.
Chapter 2
Climate
Climate is the weather pattern over a long period of time.
The climate change has been quite noticeable in the last ten years.
Economic Activity
Economic activity is any action that is related to the selling, making, and buying of services and goods.
The economic activity has drastically decreased over the years as more and more people have moved away.
Landform
A landform is any natural feature that has a well -defined shape on Earth's surface.
That landform has a very distinct shape, I can recognize it far away.
Physical Feature
A physical feature is any natural characteristic, such as landforms and bodies of water, on Earth's surface.
California has many beautiful physical features.
Population Density
Population density is the measure of how crowded an area is. It is the average number of people living in a unit of area.
The population density is very large in China.
Region
An area that defined by cultural or physical features that set it apart from other areas.
That region is known for its tall mountains and rugged terrain.
Thematic Map
A thematic map is a map that shows one specific topic or theme.
This thematic map shows the levels of rainfall in California.
Vegetation
All of the trees and plants in an area.
The vegetation in the jungles of Costa Rica is very thick.
Chapter 5
Metropolitan Area
A large population center made up of a big city and the surrounding suburbs and towns.
I took a train from the suburbs of the city to the metropolitan area.
Rural Fringe
The farms, small towns, and open spaces just beyond the suburbs of a city.
I rode a bus out to the rural fringe to enjoy some peace and quiet.
Suburb
A developed area on the edge of a city consisting of mainly homes and often stores and businesses.
I live in the suburbs of Paris.
Urban Core
The older part of a big city. The urban core often serves as the downtown or business district of a city.
My mother has to drive forty-five minutes to the urban core of the city everyday for her job.
Urban Fringe
The ring of suburbs and small towns that surround a big city.
I love to go for bike rides in the urban fringe of the city, it is a lot quieter and more peaceful.
Urban Sprawl
The fast, often poorly planned spread of development from urban areas outward into rural areas.
I am amazed at how fast the urban sprawl is growing.
CHAPTER 6
Conservationist
Someone who protects the natural beauty of an environment from destruction or pollution.
The man who saved this area from development is a very big conservationist.
Fauna
All of the animal life in a region.
I was amazed with the fauna in this particular area, I saw so many rare animals.
Flora
All of the plant life in a region.
I was disappointed with the flora in LA, I barely saw any plants.
Topographic Map
A map that uses symbols and contour lines to show the physical and human features of a region. These features may include buildings, roads, trails, valleys, hills, rivers, and lakes.
This topographic map is very detailed, it shows every single road and building.
CHAPTER 8
Emigrate
To move away from a country. Emigrants are people who leave a country.
I plan to emigrate from Spain.
Immigrate
To move to a country. Immigrants are people who move to another country.
I will immigrate into France.
Migration Stream
The continual flow of people from one country into another.
My city has a big migration stream from Mexico.
Pull Factor
The factors of attraction that draw people to a new location.
The pull factor of America is the economic opportunity.
Push Factor
The factors of repulsion that push people to leave a place behind.
A big push factor that encourages me to move away is the low economy.
Refugee
A person who seeks security by going to another country.
There are many refugees in my city seeking safety from their home country.
CHAPTER 10
Adaptation
A change in a way of life to suit a new environment.
I had to make an adaptation so I would be able to survive in Antarctica.
Indigenous Peoples
Natives to an area that have been conquered by others who came later.
When I traveled to Central America, I met some of the indigenous people.
Subsistence Farming
Farming for only your family. There is little sale to others.
My neighbors practice subsistence farming, so they always have enough crops to eat.
Traditional Culture
Ways of life and customs handed down from ancestors.
My family still has a traditional culture that we got from my great grandmother.
CHAPTER 11
El Nino
A warm ocean current that flows off the west coast of South America every few years. It changes weather patterns around the world and sometimes causes extreme weather in some regions.
The El Nino caused a hurricane to rip through my city.
Extreme Weather
Unusual or severe weather conditions such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards.
When the small snowstorm turned into an white out, I knew this was an example of extreme weather.
Meteorolgy
The scientific study of weather patterns and climate.
Because my dad had first hand experience dealing with a tornado, he is fascinated with meteorology.
Natural Disaster
Big destruction or loss caused my natural forces rather than human measures.
The hurricane was so big they called it a natural disaster.
Tropical Cyclone
A severe storm with fierce winds that circle around a calm center. Depending on where they form, they can be called cyclones, typhoons, or hurricanes.
The tropical cyclone destroyed the city I live in, I was very lucky to survive.
CHAPTER 13
Altitudinal Zonation
Based on elevation, altitudinal zonation is the division of land into zones.
My father used altitudinal zonation to divide our mountain into different zones.
Snow Line
The lowest elevation on mountains where snow stays all year.
Because it is so cold here, the snow line is very low on the mountain.
Terracing
The creation of flat areas on mountain slopes for the purpose of farming.
My brother spent all day terracing the mountain so we can start farming on it tomorrow.
Tree Line
The highest elevation where trees grow on a mountain.
This particular mountain had a very low tree line because of the warm climate.
Vertical Trade
The trading of crops between lowland and highland areas.
There is a lot of vertical trade in my village so I am able to get a lot of vegetables I can't grow myself.
CHAPTER 14
Centrifugal Force
A force that separates countries and people.
Because everybody in my city gets along nicely, there isn't a lot of centrifugal force dividing the citizens .
Centripetal Force
A force that unites people and countries.
Our town is very tight knit, so there is a lot of centripetal force bringing the citizens together.
Common Market
A group of countries that acts as a single market, without trade barriers between member countries.
The European Union has a large common market.
Supranational Cooperation
A form of international cooperation in which countries give up some control of their affairs as they work together to achieve shared goals.
The European Union is a supranational cooperation.