Physical Geography Terms

This is the name of a large area of a sea or ocean that is partially enclosed and is larger than a bay

• bay
• gulf
• harbor
• peninsula 

This is the name of a large body of salt water that is smaller than an ocean

• lake
• island
• strait 
• sea

This is the name of a body of freshwater that is completely surrounded by land

• bay
• lake
• gulf
• coast

This is the name given to a river or stream that flows into a main river

• tributary
• brook
• stream
• creek

This is the name given to a body of water that is similar to a gulf but smaller in size- it is a partially enclosed area. 

• bay
• harbor
• gulf 
• strait

This is the name given to a body of land that is completely surrounded by water

• island
• peninsula
• isthmus 
• plateau 

This is the name given to a portion of land that is surrounded with water on three sides

• isthmus
• peninsula
• coast 
• island

This is the name of land that rises above the surrounding land and has steep sides-

• hill
• mountain
• valley
• coast

This is the name given to a low area between ranges of mountains or hills

• mountains
• hills
• plateau
• valley

This is the name given to a triangular shaped area of land created by soil deposited at the mouth of a river 

• delta
• prairie
• basin
• river