World Geography Vocabulary

the study of weather and weather forcasting; the study of places and human activities over time and the various geographic factors that have shaped them.

studying and making maps

computer tools that process and organize data and satellite images with other information gathered by geographers and other scientists.

turning ocean water into fresh water by removing salt

thickets of woody bushes and short trees

term for weather patterns that an area typically experiences over a long period of time

tress such as evergreens that have cones and needle-shaped leaves and keep their foliage throughout the winter

cold and warm streams of water that move through the ocean

trees, usually broad leaved such as oak and maple that lose their foliage in autumn

a periodic change in the pattern of ocean currents and water temperatures in the mid-Pacific region

one of two days (around March 21 & Sept. 23) on which the sun is directly above the equator, making the length of day and night equal

the capacity of certain gases in the atmosphere to trap heat, thereby warming the earth

gradual warming of the earth and its atmosphere that may be caused in part by pollution and an increase in the greenhouse effect

opposite side of the mountain (facing away from the directions the wind is blowing)

condition of the atmosphere in one place during a short period of time

frozen subsoil (below a thin layer of surface soil that thaws in the summer)

causes dry areas (deserts, too) to develop on the leeward sides of mountain ranges

one trip around the sun (a few hours more than 365 days)

one spin of the earth on its axis (takes a little less than 24 hours)

the side of the mountain range facing the wind

one of two says (about June 21 & Dec. 22) on which the sun's rays strike directly on the Tropic of Cancer or Capricorn, marking the beginning of summer or winter

way of life a group of people who share similar beliefs and customs

process of spreading new knowledge and skills from one culture to another

warly centers of civilization whose ideas and practices spread to surrounding areas

number of deaths per year for every 1000 people

any system of gov't in which leaders rule with the consent of the citizens

countries having much technology and manufacturing; most people work in manufacturing or service industries and enjoy high standard living

working toward greater manufacturing and technology use

number of years it takes a population to double in size

people who share a common language, history, place of origin, or a combination of these elements

the removal of barriers so that goods can flow freely among countries

spread of industry

large groups of languages having similar roots

individuals and private groups make decisions about what to produce. Shoppers choose what products they want and businesses make more of what they think customers like

one in which the gov't supports and regulates free enterprise through decisions that affect the market place

average number of people living on a square mile or square km of land

any system of gov't in which a small group holds the power

pattern of human settlement

habit and custom determine the rules for all economic activity. Individuals cannot make choices based on what they want.

any system of gov't in which power and authority to rule belong to a single individual

number of births per year for every 1000 people

gov't owns the means of production -- land labor, capital (machinary, factories), and business managers -- and controls the distribution of goods