| A | B |
|---|
| orbit | the path one body makes as it circles around another. |
| revolution | The movement of an object around another object. |
| axis | an imaginary line through Earth between the North and South poles, around which Earth turns |
| rotation | The spinning motion of a planet on an axis. |
| core | the sphere of very hot metal at the center of Earth. |
| mantle | the thick layer around Earth's core |
| crust | the thin, rocky layer on Earth's surface |
| magma | soft, nearly molten rock |
| plate | a huge block of Earth's crust |
| weathering | a process that breaks rocks down into small pieces. |
| erosion | the removal of small pieces of rock by water, ice, or wind |
| weather | the condition of the air and sky from day to day |
| precipitation | water that falls to the ground as rain, sleet, hail, or snow. |
| temperature | how hot or cold the air is |
| climate | the average weather over many years |
| tropical cyclone | an intense wind and rain storm that forms over oceans in the tropics. |
| hurricanes | tropical cyclones that form over the Atlantic Ocean |
| tundra | an area of cold climate and low-lying vegetation |
| canopy | the layer formed by the uppermost branches of a rain forest. |
| savanna | a parklike combination of grasslands and scattered trees |
| desert scrub | desert vegetation that needs little water |
| deciduous trees | trees that lose their leaves seasonally |
| coniferous trees | trees that produce cones to carry seeds |
| solstice | the sun reaches its highest or lowest point twice a year. |
| steppe | large area of non forested grassland in SE Europe or Siberia. |
| geography | the study of Earth |
| cardinal directions | the directions north, east, south, and west |
| latitude | the distance north or south of the Equator, in degrees. |
| longitude | the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, in degrees. |
| hemisphere | a half of Earth |
| parallel | a line of latitude |
| meridian | a line of longitude |
| scale | relative size |
| distortion | loss of accuracy |
| GIS | computer-based systems that provide information about locations. |
| projection | a way to map Earth on a flat surface. |
| compass rose | a diagram of a compass showing direction |
| key | the section of a map that explains the symbols and colors on the map |
| movement | how people, goods, and ideas get from one place to another |
| Place | human and physical features at a specific location |
| Human-Environment Interaction | how people affect their environment |
| Region | group places that have something in common |
| location | uses cardinal and intermediate directions; where it is. |
