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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.