| A | B |
|---|
| isthmus | narrow strip of land connecting two larger areas of land |
| elevation | height above sea level |
| erosion | gradual wearing away |
| tributary | strea or smaller river that flows into a larger one |
| weather | condition of the earth's atmosphere at a given time and place |
| climate | average weather pattern in an area over a long period of time |
| precipitation | moisture that falls to the Earth as rain, sleet, hall, or snow |
| altitude | height of land above sea level, also effects climate |
| Archaeology | study of evidence left by early peoples in order to find out about their way of life |
| artifact | study of evidence left by early peoples in order to find out about their way of life |
| Ice Age | period of extremely cold temperatures when part of the planet's surface was covered with massive ice sheets |
| nomad | a person who moves from place to place in search of basic needs |
| migration | movement of a large number of people in a new homeland |
| Maize | one of first crops grown by early Americans, now known as corn |
| carbon dating | scientific method used to determine the age of an artifact |
| culture | way of life handed down from one generation to another |
| Beringia | area where it is believed early nomads crossed from Russia to Canada |
| Siberia | Russian area that extends from Ural mountains to the Pacific |
| coastal plain | eastern north American region |
| coastal ranges | mountainous area of western north america |
