Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Global Studies > Vocabulary > Flashcards

Vocabulary Flashcards

(94 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is a globe?

A

A scale model of the Earth that depicts properties such as area, distance, and direction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How do globes and maps differ in displaying properties?

A

Globes accurately display area, distance, and direction, while maps cannot show all properties accurately.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a great circle route?

A

An imaginary line that follows the curve of the Earth and represents the shortest distance between two points.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What mathematical process do cartographers use to create maps?

A

Mathematical formulas to transfer information from a three-dimensional globe to a two-dimensional map.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is a planar projection?

A

A map created by projecting an image of the Earth onto a geometric plane.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is a cylindrical projection?

A

A map created by projecting Earth’s image onto a cylinder.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a conic projection?

A

A map created by projecting an image of Earth onto a cone placed over part of an Earth model.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the purpose of the Winkel Tripel projection?

A

It provides a good balance between the overall size and shape of land areas shown.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does the Robinson projection resemble?

A

It looks similar to a Winkel Tripel projection, with east-west projections running in a straight line.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are lines of latitude?

A

Circles that measure distance north and south of the Equator.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is absolute location?

A

The exact global address derived from latitude and longitude lines.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is relative location?

A

Location in relation to other places, using a reference point.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

List the four hemispheres of the Earth.

A
  • Northern Hemisphere
  • Southern Hemisphere
  • Eastern Hemisphere
  • Western Hemisphere
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is elevation?

A

The height of a land surface above the level of the sea.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the significance of a map’s title?

A

It identifies the purpose of the map and provides context for its content.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is a legend on a map?

A

A key that explains the meaning of various symbols used on the map.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What does a compass rose indicate?

A

The direction or orientation of a map.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What does scale represent on a map?

A

The proportional relationship between measurements shown on a map and actual measurements of the Earth’s surface.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What distinguishes a small-scale map from a large-scale map?

A

A small-scale map shows a larger area with fewer details, while a large-scale map shows a small area with great detail.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is a physical map?

A

A map that shows location and topography of the Earth’s land features.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the role of mathematics in geography?

A

Mathematics is used for tasks such as calculating area, volume, and distances in mapmaking.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Fill in the blank: A _______ projection is most accurate at the Equator.

A

cylindrical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

True or False: All maps are drawn to scale.

A

False; not all parts of a map will be perfectly to scale due to distortion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the scale of a map?

A

The scale of a map is the relationship between distance on the map and actual distance on the ground.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What do physical maps show?
Physical maps show location and topography of the Earth's land features, including water features and landforms.
26
What is relief in the context of maps?
Relief shows the variation in elevation across an area of Earth's land.
27
What is a thematic map?
A thematic map is a map that emphasizes a single idea or a particular kind of information about an area.
28
What does a political map display?
A political map provides the boundaries and locations of political units such as countries, states, counties, cities, and towns.
29
True or False: Thematic maps can cover various topics.
False
30
What is a flow-line map?
A flow-line map displays the movement of people, animals, goods, and ideas, illustrating physical processes.
31
What are mental maps?
Mental maps describe an individual's internal perception of features of the Earth's surface.
32
Fill in the blank: Mental maps help geographers understand how individuals view their __________ to the space around them.
relationship
33
What can influence a person's mental map?
Personal experiences, emotional connections, and exposure to information can influence a person's mental map.
34
How do geospatial technologies assist geographers?
Geospatial technologies assist geographers in answering geographic questions by providing detailed geographic representations.
35
What is Global Positioning System (GPS)?
GPS is a navigational system that can determine absolute location by using satellites and receivers on Earth.
36
What does triangulation in GPS technology involve?
Triangulation involves measuring the time taken for radio signals from satellites to reach a GPS receiver to calculate its location.
37
What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?
GIS is software used to perform advanced geographical analysis and link location with characteristics of places.
38
What is remote sensing?
Remote sensing is the science of obtaining information about an object or an area from a distance.
39
Fill in the blank: Satellites collect data that can be used for __________ predictions.
weather
40
What is the primary function of GIS?
The primary function of GIS is to link the location of a place with its characteristics or attributes.
41
What are some applications of GPS technology in science?
GPS technology is used by seismologists to measure earthquakes and by biologists to track animal migration.
42
What are the limitations of geospatial technologies?
Geospatial technologies can be limited by their relatively new innovation status and the need for continuous improvement.
43
What is the importance of combining mental mapping with GPS and GIS?
Combining mental mapping with GPS and GIS creates a detailed picture of places and regions.
44
What types of data do geospatial technologies provide?
Geospatial technologies provide actual images and data related to a location.
45
What does the term spacial perspective refer to?
A way of looking at the human and physical patterns on Earth and their relationships with one another.
46
Define site
The specific location of a place, including its physical setting
47
Define situation
The geographic position of a place in relation to other places or features of a larger region
48
Define formal region
A region defined by a common characteristic, such as production of a product
49
Define functional region
A central place and the surrounding territory linked to it
50
Define perceptual region
A region defined by popular feelings and images rather than by objective data
51
Describe the problems that arise when the curves of a globe become straight lines on a map
Curved lines on a globe become distorted when straightened on a map, causing issues with shape, size, distance, and direction accuracy.
52
Explain the similarities and differences between the winkel triple projection and the Mercator projection.
Both are map projections, but the Winkel Tripel balances size and shape for a more realistic view, while Mercator preserves direction but distorts size, especially near the poles.
53
What is the importance of scale in reading maps?
Scale shows the ratio between distances on the map and real-world distances, helping users measure accurately.
54
List 5 examples of things a map can show
1. Roads 2. Elevation 3. Population 4. Climate zones 5. Political boundaries
55
Why is the U.S. Corn Belt considered a formal region?
The U.S. Corn Belt is considered a formal region because it is defined by specific, measurable characteristics, like its dominant agricultural production of corn.
56
What are two research methods used by geographers?
Two research methods used by geographers are fieldwork (collecting data through observation and surveys) and spatial analysis (studying patterns and relationships through maps and statistics).
57
What is the difference between physical and human geography?
Physical geography studies nature; human geography studies people and their activities.
58
Why is human environment interaction an important theme for geographers?
It helps geographers understand how humans impact and adapt to the environment.
59
Which continent has the most countries with the highest population densities?
Asia has the most countries with the highest population densities.
60
Look at the map of the world economic activities. Name three forms of land used for the continent of Africa.
Three forms of land used in Africa are agriculture, mining, and forestry.
61
What physical features in Africa might explain the areas with little or no economic activity?
Deserts (like the Sahara), dense rainforests, and mountainous regions explain areas with little or no economic activity in Africa.
62
What are the different types of geospatial technologies? How has this advanced technology improved the way maps are created?
Geospatial technologies like GPS, GIS, remote sensing, and satellite imagery improve map creation by offering accurate, detailed, and real-time data.
63
Define hydrosphere
The water areas of the Earth, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water.
64
Define lithosphere
Uppermost layer of the Earth that includes the crust, continents, and ocean basins
65
Define atmosphere
A thin layer of gases that surrounds the Earth
66
Define biosphere
The part of the Earth where life exists
67
Define continental shelf
Part of a continent that extends out underneath the ocean
68
Define core
Innermost layer of the Earth made up of a super-hot but solid inner core and a super-hot liquid outer core
69
Define mantle
Thick middle layer of the Earth's interior structure consisting of hot rock that is dense but flexible
70
Define crust
Outer layer of the Earth, a hard rocky shell forming earth's surface
71
Define continental drift
The theory that the continents were once joined and then slowly drifted apart
72
Define plate tectonics
The term scientists use to describe the activities of continental drift and magma flow, which create many of Earth's physical features
73
Define magma
Molten rock that is located below Earth's surface
74
Define subduction
Process by which ocean plates dive beneath continental plates, often causing mountains to form on land
75
Define accretion
Slow process in which an ocean plate slides under a continental plate, creating debris that can cause continents to grow outward
76
Define spreading
Process by which magma wells up between oceanic plates and pushes the plates apart
77
Define fold
A bend in layers of rock, sometimes caused by plate movement
78
Define fault
A crack or break in Earth's crust
79
Define Faulting
Process of cracking that occurs when the folded land cannot be bent any further
80
Define weathering
Chemical or physical processes that break down rocks into smaller pieces
81
Define erosion
The movement of weathered rock and materials by wind, glaciers, and moving water
82
Define glacier
A large body of ice that moves across the surface of the Earth
83
Define moraine
Piles of rocky debris left by melting glaciers
84
Define desalination
The removal of salt from seawater to make it usable for drinking and farming
85
Define aquifer
Underground water-bearing layers of porous rock, sand, or gravel
86
Describe the larger physical system of which Earth is a part.
Earth is part of the solar system, which is within the Milky Way galaxy, located in the broader universe.
87
How do the hydrosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere work together to form the biosphere?
The hydrosphere (water), lithosphere (land), and atmosphere (air) interact to support life, providing essential resources like water, nutrients, and oxygen, forming the biosphere where living organisms thrive.
88
What conditions would have to exist in order for a space station to support life?
A space station would need a controlled environment with breathable air, temperature regulation, water recycling, food supply, and waste management to support life.
89
How have earthquakes and volcanoes influenced the size and location of Earth's physical features?
Earthquakes and volcanoes shape Earth's physical features by creating mountains, valleys, and islands, and altering landmasses through tectonic activity.
90
How has erosion been beneficial and harmful to agricultural communities?
Erosion can benefit agriculture by creating fertile soil, but it can also harm by depleting topsoil and reducing land productivity.
91
How do physical processes such as tectonic forces, erosion, and soil building affect different regions? Explain.
Tectonic forces shape landforms, erosion alters landscapes, and soil building boosts agriculture, all influencing regional environments and human activity.
92
How can pollution in streams affect the oceans?
Pollution in streams can carry harmful chemicals and waste into oceans, damaging marine life and ecosystems.
93
What is the difference between groundwater and aquifers, and why is the distinction important?
Groundwater is water beneath the surface; aquifers are layers that store it. This distinction is crucial for managing water resources.
94
Describe the locations of the five oceans.
The five oceans are: 1. **Atlantic Ocean** – between the Americas and Europe/Africa. 2. **Pacific Ocean** – between Asia/Australia and the Americas. 3. **Indian Ocean** – between Africa, Asia, and Australia. 4. **Southern Ocean** – surrounding Antarctica. 5. **Arctic Ocean** – around the Arctic region, north of Europe, Asia, and North America.

Global Studies (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions