by Kristi Schirrmacher EDU 221 ~ Spring 2013

What are Landforms? Landforms are natural features of the Earth’s surface.

What are some examples of landforms? Mountain – A very tall, high, and natural elevation of land. Valley – A low-lying area of land that is typically found between hills and mountains. Plains – Flat areas of a land that only have small changes in elevation. Plateau – A raised area of land that has a mostly level surface Mesa – A flat elevated area that has very steep sides Desert – A very dry land with little to no vegetation Island – Land that is completely surrounded by water Peninsula – A piece of land that sticks out into water that only has water on three sides. Archipelago – A chain or grouping of islands that are gathered together in the ocean.

What are Bodies of Water? A body of water is a part of the Earth’s surface that is covered with water. The water can be freshwater or it can be saltwater. Where would we find saltwater? Where would we find freshwater? ~Most saltwater is found in oceans and seas. ~Freshwater can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams

Lets explore some different bodies of water! Lake – A large body of water that is surrounded by land on all sides Ocean – A large body of water that border all of the Earth’s continents (saltwater) Strait – A body of water that links two larger bodies of water River – A flowing body of water that typically empties into the ocean or a sea Gulf – A portion of the ocean (or sea) that is partly surrounded by land Sea – A large body of water that often connects to an ocean but can also be surrounded by land (saltwater) Sound – A wide inlet that divides two bodies of land Channel – A body of water that links two larger bodies of water

Continents and Oceans of Earth Continents are large landmasses that are on Earth. There are seven continents: 1)Africa 2)Antarctica 3)Asia 4)Australia 5)Europe 6)North America 7)South America There are five oceans: 1)Atlantic Ocean 2)Arctic Ocean 3)Indian Ocean 4)Pacific Ocean 5)Southern Ocean

The key to understanding how to find a specific place on a map is to understand the tools used to read a map. Here are a few important features you need to know!  Cardinal Direction – North, South, East, and West  Intermediate Directions – Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, & Southwest  Compass Rose – A diagram of direction on a map that shows North (N), South (S), East (E), and West (W). See example above.  Latitude – Lines on a globe or map that run East and West. An example of a common latitude is the Equator.  Longitude – Lines on a globe or map that run North and West. An example of a common longitude is the Prime Meridian.  Map Key – Sometimes called a legend, a key explains the symbols used on the map. Symbols can include airports, capitols, hospitals, highways, or toll roads.  Scale – A tool that helps compare distance on the map to the actual distance in real life.

Twenty Questions Mrs. Schirrmacher’s Geography Fun!

Twenty Questions

1. Name a landform completely surrounded by water. Island.

2. Florida is an example of what type of landform? Peninsula.

3. A low-lying area of land between two mountains is? Valley

4. Hawaii is a group of islands in the ocean. What type of landform is Hawaii an example of? Archipelago

5. A steep sided elevated area is called a? Mesa

6. What type of water is found in the ocean. Saltwater

7. A large body of freshwater that is surrounded by land is? Lake

8. What salty body of water can connect to the ocean but also can be surrounded by land? Sea

9. The flowing body of freshwater called the Columbia is an example of ? River

10. A body of water that links two larger bodies of water can be called two different names. What are they? Channel or a strait

11. Continents are large … Landmasses

12. How many continents are there? Seven

13. What ocean lies between North America and Europe? Atlantic Ocean

14. How many oceans are there? Five

15. Name one of the continents start with the letter A? Asia, Antarctica, Australia, Africa.

16. What feature on a map is also called a legend? Map key

17. The Equator is an example of what type of line on a map? Latitude

18. North, South, East, and West are called what type of directions? Cardinal Direction

19. The North-South line called the Prime Meridian is an example of what type of line on a map? Longitude

20. A diagram of direction on a map is known as? Compass rose