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Geography
In this lesson, students will be able to define or identify the following key words and
concepts:
Geography
The Seven Continents
The Four Oceans
Critical Geographic Features and Effects
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The Nile River Meets the Desert
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Geography
• Geography is the study of the earth and its geographic features.
• Geography is also the study the distribution of human life on the earth and the effects of human activity.
• Physical geography – think “deserts or mountains; the surface of the earth”
• Human geography – think “how people adapt to a particular environment”
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Terrace Farming in the Andes
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The Continents
• A continent is one of the seven principle land masses of the earth.
• Generally, geographers recognize seven continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.
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The Four Oceans
• The word “ocean” refers to the entire body of salt water that covers 70% of the earth’s surface.
• There are four principle divisions of the ocean:
Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic
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Geographic Features
• Topography is the study of the earth’s surface. It is the study of the earth’s geographic or physical features.
• Mountains, deserts, plains, and rivers are examples of geographic or physical features.
• It is important to think about the effect of these features on humans.
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A mountain is a geographic feature.
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The Effects of Mountains
• A mountain is a natural elevation of the earth’s mass. It generally has steep sides.
• How do mountains affect people?
• It is difficult to farm on mountains.
• Mountains can prevent transportation and communication.
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A desert is a geographic feature.
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The Effects of Deserts
• A desert is a dry, often sandy region of little rainfall, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation.
• How do deserts affect people?
• It is difficult to farm in a desert.• Nomads live in deserts. Nomads must
move from place to place.
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A Tropical Rain Forest is a geographic feature.
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Effects of Tropical Rain Forests
• A Tropical Rain Forest consists of many trees and plants. It has a tropical climate and experiences significant rainfall.
• What are the effects of Tropical Rain Forests?
• It is difficult to farm.• Transportation and communication are difficult.
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To farm in a tropical rain forest, people engage in slash-and-burn farming.
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Savannas
• A savanna is a flat grassland in a tropical or subtropical region.
• What are the effects of savannas?
• People can farm in the savanna.
• People can herd animals in the savanna.
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A savanna is a grassland.
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Questions for Reflection:
• What do geographers study?
• List the seven continents.
• List the four oceans.
• List five geographic features.
• What is a savanna?
• List two effects of mountains on people.
• List two effects of deserts on people.
