Geography and Environmental Terms

Tornado

• A powerful windstorm with a funnel-shaped cloud that moves quickly over land.

• A gentle breeze that cools the air during summer.

• A type of storm that brings heavy rain and thunderstorms.

• A weather phenomenon characterized by snow and ice.

Tundra

• A treeless plain.

• A dense forest area.

• A type of desert.

• A mountainous region.

Megalopolis

• A type of large mountain range

• A group of cities that have grown so close together that they seem to form one city.

• A term for a large agricultural area

• A city known for its vast deserts

Current

• Moving streams of water.

• Static bodies of water.

• Frozen water bodies.

• Water vapor in the atmosphere.

Wetlands

• An area of land that does not completely drain of water, such as a swamp.

• A dry area with little vegetation.

• A type of forest that is always flooded.

• A region characterized by high mountains and low temperatures.

Scarcity

• Occurs when there is not enough of a resource to produce all of the products people want.

• Occurs when there is an abundance of resources available for production.

• Occurs when resources are evenly distributed among all consumers.

• Occurs when production exceeds consumer demand.

Continental Divide

• An imaginary line in the Rockies.

• A mountain range in the Andes.

• A river that flows into the ocean.

• A geographical boundary between two countries.

Hydroelectric

• Energy generated by falling water.

• Energy generated by wind.

• Energy generated by solar panels.

• Energy generated by fossil fuels.

Drought

• A long period without rainfall.

• A sudden increase in rainfall.

• A type of plant that thrives in wet conditions.

• A weather phenomenon characterized by heavy storms.

Irrigation

• Bringing water to dry land through ditches or pipes.

• Using chemicals to enhance soil fertility.

• Planting crops in rows to maximize sunlight exposure.

• Collecting rainwater for agricultural use.