Download 5B Supporting - Franklin High School

STAAR World Geography Glossary
Bold-faced terms appear in World Geography Assessment: Eligible Texas Essential Knowledge
and Skills (Spring 2011).
Non-bold face terms are words that associated with a TEK
These terms are in the order in which they appear in the Scope and Sequence.
The number in the parentheses indicates the page in the McDougall Littell World Geography
textbook where the term is used.
UNIT 1 (4 wks)
Introduction to World Geography
August 27th – September 21st
Map –Reading
absolute location (6)
the exact place on earth where a geographic feature is found
relative location (6)
describes a place in relation to other places around it
hemisphere (6)
each half of the globe
equator (6)
the imaginary line that encircles the globe, dividing the earth into northern and southern halves
prime meridian (6)
the imaginary line at zero meridian used to measure longitude east and west, and dividing the
earth’s east and west halves; also called the Greenwich Meridian because it passes through Greenwich,
England
latitude (6,17)
4A Readiness
a set of imaginary lines that run parallel to the equator, and that are used in locating places
north and south. The equator is labeled the zero-degree line for latitude
longitude (6,17)
a set of imaginary lines that go around the earth over the poles, dividing it east and west. The
prime meridian is labeled the zero-degree line for longitude
Map-Reading Pt.2
topographic map (11)
a general reference map; a representation of natural and man-made features on the earth
global positioning system (13)
20A Supporting
a series of satellites that rely geographic information to earth. Used by hikers, sailors, drivers.
geographic Information Systems (13)
20A Supporting
technology that uses digital map information to create a databank; different “data layers” can
be combined to produce specialized maps. GIS allows geographers to analyze different aspects of a
specific place to solve problems.
scale (15, 16)
scale shows the ratio between a unit of length on the map and a unit of distance on the earth
physical map (20)
a map that shows the types of landforms and bodies of water found a specific area
political map (21)
a map that shows features on the earth’s surface that humans created
thematic map (22)
maps that focus on specific types of information. Some thematic maps show weather, natural
resources or economic activities. Some types of thematic maps are: Qualitative Maps, Cartograms, and
Flow-Line Maps
Types of Regions
Formal Regions (7)
9B Supporting
a region defined by a limited number of related characteristics. Latin America, Southwest Asia,
and East Asia are examples.
Functional Regions (7)
9B Supporting
a region organized around a set of interactions and connections between places. For example, a
city and its suburbs form a functional region.
Perceptual Regions (7)
9B Supporting
A region in which people perceive, or see, the characteristics of the region in the same way.
Structure of the Earth
core (28)
the solid metallic center of the earth and is made up of iron and nickel
mantle (28)
a soft layer of molten rock about 1,800 miles thick
magma (28)
molten rock created when the mantle melts the underside of the crust
crust (28)
the thin layer of rock at the earth’s surface
Parts of the Earth
lithosphere (28)
3C Supporting
the solid rock portion of the earth’s surface
hydrosphere (28)
3C Supporting
the waters comprising the earth’s surface, including oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and vapor in the
atmosphere
atmosphere (28)
3C Supporting
the layers of gases immediately surrounding the earth
biosphere (28)
3C Supporting
all the parts of the earth where plants and animals live, including the atmosphere, the
lithosphere, and the hydrosphere
Water and Landforms
hydrologic cycle (32)
the continuous circulation of water among the atmosphere, the oceans, and the earth
drainage basin (32)
an area drained by a major river and its tributaries
water table (32)
the level at which rock is saturated
landforms (33)
4B Supporting
a naturally formed feature on the surface of earth
delta (43)
a fan-like landform made of deposited sediment, left by a river that slows as it enters the ocean
glacier (44)
a large, long-lasting mass of ice that moves because of gravity
Internal Forces Shaping the Earth
tectonic plates /forces (37)
3B Readiness
an enormous moving shelf that forms the earth’s crust
divergent boundary (38)
plates that move apart or spread
convergent boundary (38)
plates collide with each other, causing one plate to either dive under or ride up over the other
plate
transform boundary (38)
when tectonic plates slide past one another
fault (39)
a fracture in the earth’s crust where plates move past each other
Earthquakes
seismograph (39)
measures the size of the waves created by an earthquake
epicenter (39)
the point directly above the focus(where the earthquake begins) on the earth’s surface where
Richter Scale (40)
Uses information collected by seismographs to determine the relative strength of an earthquake
tsunami (40)
8B Readiness
a giant wave in the ocean caused by an earthquake
Ring of Fire (41)
A zone around the rim of the Pacific Ocean where the majority of active volcanoes are found
External Forces Shaping the Earth
mechanical weathering (42)
a natural process that breaks rock into smaller pieces
chemical weathering (43)
a process that changes rock into a new substance through interactions among elements in the
air or water and the minerals in the rock
erosion (43)
3B Readiness
the result of weathering on matter, created by the action of wind, water, ice, or gravity
glaciations (44)
the changing of landforms by slowly moving glaciers
Soil and Vegetation
humus (45)
organic material in soil
soil- building (45)
3B Readiness
the process where organic material becomes fertile soil
ecosystem (65)
an interdependent community of plants and animals
biomes (65)
4C Supporting
regional ecosystems. Biomes are divided into forest, grassland, desert, and tundra
Seasons
solstice (49)
either of two times of year when the sun’s rays shine directly overhead at noon at the farthest
points north or south, and that mark the beginning of summer and winter; in Northern Hemisphere, the
summer solstice is the longest day and the winter solstice the shortest
equinox (49)
each of the two days in a year on which day and night are equal in length; marks the beginning
of spring and autumn
Tropic of Cancer (49)
The farthest point north the sun’s rays shine overhead at noon
Tropic of Capricorn (49)
The farthest point south the sun’s rays shine overhead at noon
Weather and Climate
weather (50)
3B Readiness
the condition of the atmosphere at a particular location and time
climate (50)
4C Supporting
the typical weather conditions at a particular location as observed over time
precipitation (50)
falling water droplets in te form of rain, sleet, snow, or half
wind systems (54)
4A Readiness
help distribute the sun’s heat from one part of the world to another
ocean currents (54)
4A Readiness
impact the temperature of area and the amount of precipitation a region receives
Weather Extremes
hurricane (51)
a storm that forms over warm, tropical ocean waters
typhoon (51)
a tropical storm, like a hurricane, that occurs in the western Pacific
tornado (51)
a powerful funnel-shaped column of spiraling air
blizzard (51)
a heavy snowstorm with winds of more than 35 miles per hour and reduced visibility of less than
one-quarter mile
drought (51)
a long period without rain or with very minimal rainfall
Climate Pt 2
climate region (59)
a region that experiences particular weather conditions over many years. Temperature and
precipitation are the two most significant factors. Topography, elevation, and location on a continent
also impact a region’s climate
tropical (59)
refers to regions with little variation in temperature. Typically tropical regions receive large of
amounts of rain.
tundra (63)
the flat treeless lands forming a ring around the Arctic Ocean; the climate region of the Arctic
Ocean
permafrost (63)
permanently frozen ground
Culture and Population
culture (71)
the total of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors shared by and passed on by members of a
group
ethnic minority
17C Supporting
an individual who identifies with the minority population of a region. Members of ethnic
minorities are often underrepresented in political power, and in some cases, persecuted for their
ethnicity
religious minority
17C Supporting
an individual who belongs to a minority religion in a region. India is largely a Hindu nation yet it
also has a sizeable Muslim and Sikh populations.
multicultural society
17D Supporting
a population that contains several culture groups. The groups tend to preserve at least some of
their culture characteristics such as religion, language and food preference.
Cultural Change and Exchange
innovation (72)
18A Readiness
taking existing elements of society and creating something new to meet a need. Some
innovations have changed the course of history such as the domestication of horses or the invention of
the printing press. Other innovations, such as electric cars, address the demands of the marketplace.
diffusion (72)
18A Readiness
the spread of ideas, inventions, or patterns of behavior to different societies
cultural hearth (72)
the heartland or place of origin of a major culture; a site of innovation from which basic ideas,
materials, and technology diffuse to other cultures
acculturation (72)
the cultural change that occurs when individuals in a society accept or adopt an innovation
Cultural Beliefs and Expression
custom (71)
16B Readiness
practice routinely followed by a group of people
nationalism (297)
15B Supporting
a belief that people or ethnic groups should have their own government or homeland.
patriotism
15B Supporting
devotion to one’s country. The idea that you should be loyal to and support your country’s laws
and have pride in your country
cultural landscapes
16A Supporting
the visible imprint of human activity and culture on the landscape. The layers of buildings, forms,
and artifacts imprinted on the landscape by the activities of various groups
Religion
monotheistic (75)
a belief in the existence of only one god
Christianity (75)
17B Supporting
Christianity is a monotheistic religion which is also the world’s largest religion by membership.
Christianity is based on the teachings of Jesus. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian
denomination but others exist such as the Eastern Orthodox Church and Protestant faiths.
Islam (75)
17B Supporting
Islam is the world’s second largest religion. Members of the Islamic religion are called Muslims
who follow the teachings the prophet Muhammad. Islam is often divided into two groups-Shi’ites and
Sunnis-though other groups exist.
Judaism (75)
17B Supporting
A religion with its roots in the teachings of Abraham (from Ur), who is credited with uniting his
people to worship only one god. According to Jewish teaching, Abraham and God have a convenant in
which Jews agree to worship only one God, and God agrees to protect his chosen people.
Sikhism
17B Supporting
A religion based in northern India. Sikhism combines the Hindu concept of reincarnation with
Islamic belief in monotheism. Worldwide there are 30 million Sikhs.
Religion Pt. 2
polytheistic (75)
a belief in the existence in may gods
Buddhism (76)
17B Supporting
A religion founded in the sixth century and characterized by the belief that enlightenment would
come through knowledge, especially self-knowledge; elimination of greed, craving, and desire; complete
honesty; and never hurting another person or animal. Buddhism splintered from Hinduism as a reaction
to the strict caste system.
Hinduism (76)
17B Supporting
One of the oldest religions in the modern world, dating back 4000 year, and originating in the
Indus River Valley. Hinduism is unique among the world’s religions in that it does not have a single
founder, a single theology, or agreement on its origins
animistic (75)
The belief that inanimate objects, such as hills, trees, rocks, rivers, and other elements of the
natural landscape, possess souls and can help or hinder human efforts on Earth
Demographic Indicators
birthrate (78)
the number of live births per total population, often expressed per thousand population
fertility rate (78)
the average number of children a woman of childbearing years would have in her lifetime, if she
had children at the current rate for her country
mortality rate (79)
the number of deaths per thousand
infant mortality (79)
5B Supporting
the number of deaths among infants under age one as measured per thousand live births
population pyramids (79)
7A Supporting
graphic devices that show gender and age distribution of a population
life expectancy
5B Supporting
An amount in years indicating how long, on average, a resident of a particular place is expected
to live
literacy rate
5B Supporting
An amount, usually a percentage, of a given population who possess the ability to read and write
population density (81)
the average number of people who live in a measurable area
Movement
push and pull factors (81)
7B Readiness
push factors push people from their homeland, while pull factors attract people to a new
location
migration (81)
18A Readiness
the movement of peoples within a country or region
connectivity
7D Supporting
the degree of direct linkage between one particular location and other locations in a transport
network
Governments
democracy (83)
14B Supporting
a type of government in which citizens hold political power either directly or through elected
representatives
dictatorship(83)
14B Supporting
a type of government in which an individual or group holds complete political power
monarchy (83)
14B Supporting
a type of government in which a ruling family headed by a king or queen holds political power
and may or may not share the power with citizen bodies
republic
14B Supporting
a government in which citizens elect representatives to rule on their behalf
theocracy
14B Supporting
a state whose government is under the control of a ruler who is deemed to be divinely guided.
Vatican City and the country of Iran are theocracies
totalitarian
14B Supporting
a political system where the state controls all political and economic power. Media is censored
by the state and few individual rights exist. The Soviet Union under Josef Stalin and Nazi Germany are
examples of totalitarian governments.
Settlement Patterns
metropolitan area (87)
a functional area including a city and its surrounding suburbs and exurbs, linked economically
suburbs (87)
a political unit or community touching the borders of the central city or touching other suburbs
that touch the city
urbanization (88)
6B Readiness
the dramatic rise in the number of cities and the changes in lifestyle that result
sustainable development
8C Supporting
economic and or population growth that does not impact the environment in a lasting negative
manner
infrastructure
11C Readiness
the basic support systems needed to keep an economy going, including power, communications,
transportation, water, sanitation, and education systems
Economic Systems
Free Enterprise (140)
10A Supporting
An economic system in which private individuals own most of the resources, technology, and
businesses, and can operate them for profit with little control from the government
Socialist Economic System
10A Supporting
An economic system where social, or public ownership of resources exists. Economic programs
are intended to do the most good for the greatest amount of people.
Communist Economic System
10A Supporting
A system in which the government holds nearly all political power and the means of production
Traditional Economies (91)
18C Supporting
A system where goods and services are traded without exchanging money. This exchange of
goods is often called bartering.
Levels of Development
Primary (92)
11A Supporting
Economic activities that involve gathering raw materials such as timber for immediate use or to
use in making of a final product
Secondary (92)
11A Supporting
Economic activities that involve adding value to materials by changing their form.
Manufacturing automobiles is an example
Tertiary (92)
11A Supporting
Economic activities that involve providing business or professional services. Salespeople,
teachers, or doctors are examples
Quaternary (92)
11A Supporting
Economic activities that provide information, management, and research services by highlytrained persons
Economic Indicators
gross domestic per capita (94)
5B Supporting
the average amount of money earned by each person in a political unit
standard of living
5B Supporting
a measure of quality of life in a location. Wealth, happiness, health, education are all factors
that are used to compare levels of development which establishes a standard of living
less developed
5B Supporting
a country, or region, that has not attained a specified level of development. Less developed
countries have low literacy and inadequate educational programs. The per capita GDP is low and health
services are poor. Much of the population in a less developed country lives in poverty.
newly developed
5B Supporting
a country, or region, that has recently attained a specified level of development. Newly
developed countries have experienced rapid economic growth in the last 40 years. Often, the discovery
and distribution of natural goods provides the spark that initiates the successful economy. South Korea,
Singapore and Brazil are considered newly developed countries
more developed
5B Supporting
a country that has attained the highest level of development due to wealth, income, economic
and social opportunities. More developed countries are usually leaders in technology and scientific
innovation. The United States, Canada, Japan and many western European countries are grouped as
more developed
Economic Production
subsistence agriculture
10C Readiness
an activity where a family produces only enough food to be self-sufficient. If an abundant harvest
occurs, the extra crops might be traded for goods and services they cannot produce themselves.
commercial agriculture
10C Readiness
an activity where crops are grown food the purpose of sale. Typically, commercial farms are
larger and use more modern labor saving devices than subsistence farming
cottage industries
10C Readiness
an economic activity performed at home. Labor is usually limited to one craftsman and another
family member. Often the cottage industry is the lone provider of a service in a village.
commercial industries
10C Readiness
an economic activity performed in a factory where division of labor exists. Commercial activities
usually employ many people who are expected to complete a variety of tasks toward the production of a
single item. For example, a pencil factory might employ wood workers, painters, quality control
managers and office personnel
manufacturing
11B Supporting
an economic activity that utilizes skilled labor and machines to produce goods for sale. Usually
manufacturing refers to the industrial production of goods from raw materials.
service industries
11B Supporting
an economic activity where a service is provided rather than a good. Service workers often
perform tasks that most people cannot easily do themselves. Auto mechanics, plumbers, doctors and
firemen are considered part of the service industry.
Trade
globalization
7D Supporting
The expansion of economic, political, and cultural processes to the point that they become global
in scale and impact. The processes of globalization transcend state boundaries and have outcomes that
vary across places and scales.
outsourcing
10D Supporting
when production is moved from one location to another usually to address the rising cost of
labor. Outsourcing is often used to describe the loss of American jobs to foreign countries such as China;
however outsourcing can refer to the movement of factories from the Rust Belt to the Sun Belt.
free trade zones
10D Supporting
areas where imported goods are not subject to the same regulations and import taxes (custom
duties and tariffs) that might exist elsewhere. Free trade zones are intended to make the transportation
of goods across national boundaries easier less expensive
export (140)
a product or good that is sold from one country to another. Exports are favorable to the selling,
or exporting, country and a drain on the economy of the receiving country. For example, Americans buy
coffee from Brazil. Brazilian farmers benefit as American dollars leave the country
import
a product that is purchased from one country by another. A country imports foreign goods
because they cannot produce the item at the price or quality the market demands. For example, the
United States imports petroleum because the demand for oil exceeds the supply
NAFTA (220)
North American Free Trade Agreement. Agreement entered into by Canada, Mexico, and the
United States to eliminate the barriers to trade in, and facilitate the cross-border movement of goods
and services between the countries
UNIT 2 (3 wks)
North America
Sept. 24th- Oct. 12th
History
New World (135)
The popular name given to the Americas by European explorers and colonists.
Columbian Exchange (136)
1B Readiness
The exchange of plants, animals and disease between the New and Old Worlds following the
arrival of the Europeans. Previous to the Columbian Exchange certain plants and animals were found in
either the New World or Old World. For example, horses were unknown in the Americas while vanilla,
potatoes and tobacco were found only in the Americas.
colony
an outpost in a foreign land. Some colonies are established for economic purposes to further
trade while others are settlements for emigrants
Louisiana Purchase (136)
The territory under U.S. control nearly doubled under the terms of the Louisiana Purchase.
Decades of western migration soon followed as the lure of open land drew settlers from around the
world.
frontier (137)
the open lands beyond the last populated settlements. In American History, the frontier is
associated with the West
Dust Bowl (150-151)
A climatic disaster in the Great Plains region caused by poor farming techniques and continued
drought. Many people were “pushed” away from Oklahoma and “pulled” toward California.
Geography
arable land
Arable land is land fit for agricultural production. The amount of arable land within the borders
of a country can increase with expanded irrigation projects or decreases with desertification
continental divide (120)
the line of the highest points in North America that marks the separation between rivers flowing
eastward and westward
prairie
the temperate grasslands of North America; “prairie” is the French word for meadow
Tornado Alley (126)
A region in the Midwest United States where most of the countries tornadoes occur
Rust Belt (146)
The economically depressed region surrounding the Great Lakes. The Rust Belt once contained
the industrial heartland of the United States, but foreign competition and rising labor costs closed many
of the region’s factories
Sun Belt (146)
The economically expanding region of the Southern United States. Low labor costs and mild
winters have led many businesses to relocate there.
Population
Native Americans /Peoples (136)
The inhabitants of the Americas at the time when the Europeans first arrived to the New World
Baby Boomers
Babies born after the Second World War but before the mid-1960’s. This generation is called
baby boomers because the high birthrates occurring at this time.
Inuit (155)
Native peoples of Alaska and Northern Canada. Often Inuits are called Eskimos
Metis (161)
A person born from a mixed union. Typically, the term is used to describe Canadians whose
parentage is European (usually French) and Amerindian.
bilingualism (161)
where two or more languages are spoken.
UNIT 3 (2 wks)
Latin America
Oct. 15th –Oct. 26th
History
Aztec People (217)
Ancient peoples of Central Mexico. The Aztec Empire ended with the arrival of the Spanish
mestizo (219)
A person born from a mixed union.Typically, the term refers to describe people whose parentage
is European (usually Spanish) and Amerindian
Mayan People (223)
Ancient peoples of the Yucatan Peninsula, northern Central America. The Mayan Empire is
considered a cultural hearth
Taino (223)
A group of peoples who inhabited the Caribbean Islands at the time of the European conquest.
The introduction of Old World diseases-especially smallpox-devasted the Taino populations
Inca People (230)
Ancient peoples of western South America. The Inca Empire is considered a cultural hearth.
Geography
cerrado (202)
a savanna that has flat terrain and moderate rainfall that is suitable for farming. The cerrado
savannas are located in the interior of Brazil
pampas (202)
a savanna that has flat terrain and moderate rainfall that is suitable for farming. The pampas
are located in northern Argentina and Uruguay
rain forest (207)
dense forests found in tropical regions. Rain forests receive large amounts of rain and are
typically hot all year. The largest rain forest in the world is the Amazon rain forest
isthmus
a narrow strip of land connecting to larger landmasses usually with water on either side. The
Panama Canal was constructed on the isthmus of Panama
El Nino
(57)
8B Readiness
A weather pattern created by the warming of the waters off the coast of South America, which
pushes warm water and heavy rains toward the Americas and produces drought conditions in Australia
and Asia
Economy
slash- and- burn (210)
a way of clearing fields for planting by cutting trees, brush, and grasses and burning them
terraced farming (211)
an ancient technique for growing crops on hillsides or mountain slopes, using step-like horizontal
fields cut into the slopes
remittances
Money migrants send back to family and friends in their home countries, often in cash, forming
an important part of the economy in many poorer countries.
migratory labor
workers who move with the availability or opportunity of employment.
informal economy (227)
economic activities that take place outside official channels, without benefits or protection for
workers
UNIT 4 (3 wks)
Europe
Oct. 29th - Nov. 16th
History
Renaissance (291)
A period of European history when there was a renewed interest in learning and the arts. The
new ideas of the Renaissance began in the Italian city-state of Florence and spread north into the rest of
Europe
Bubonic Plague (294-295)
The Bubonic Plague , or Black Death was a pandemic outbreak occurring in the 15th century. The
plague is estimated to have killed 30–60 percent of Europe's population The plague is often used as an
example of the consequences of globalization as the plague may have traveled west from Asia carried by
traders along the Silk Road
pandemics
7D Supporting
a disease affecting a large population over a wide geographic area
genocide
18B Supporting
the deliberate extermination of a population based on some common characteristic
Industrial Revolution (304)
The shift, beginning in England during the 18th century, from making goods by hand to making
them by machine
Geography
peninsula (273)
a landmass nearly surrounded by water but connected to the mainland
fjords (273)
a long, narrow deep inlet of the sea between steep slopes
North Atlantic Drift (278)
a current of warm water from the tropics that flows near Europe’s west coast; the current
impacts western Europe’s weather
Arctic Circle (280)
Tundra climate region where the land is often in a state of permafrost.
terpen (283)
high earthen platforms that, along with dikes, are part of a seaworks project
polder (282)
land that is reclaimed from the sea or other body of water by diking and drainage
Economy
European Union (292, 326-327)
14C Readiness
The European Union, or EU, is a political and economic alliance among 27 countries of Europe.
euro (305)
The common currency used by the members of the eurozone
eurozone
A monetary union among 17 of the European Union’s 27 members. Germany, France and Italy
are members of the EU and the eurozone. The United Kingdom is a member of the European Union but
not the eurozone.
tariff
taxes placed on imported goods
UNIT 5 (2 wks)
Russia and the Republics
Nov. 26th – Dec. 7th
History
czar (362)
the emperor of Russia prior to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the rise of the Soviet Union in
1922
USSR (363)
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or Soviet Union, formed in 1922 by the Communists and
officially dissolved in 1991
Cold War (363)
the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II, called “cold”
because it never escalated into open warfare
North Atlantic Treaty Organization(321)
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, is a military alliance formed after to Second
World War to address the growing threat of Soviet expansion
Geography
Eurasia (346)
the combined continent of Europe and Asia
Transcaucasia (346)
A region that consists of the republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia; located between the
Caucasus Mountains and the borders of Turkey and Iran
Siberia (349)
A region of central and eastern Russia stretching from the Ural mountains to the Pacific Ocean,
known for
steppe (352)
the term used for the temperate grassland region in the Northern Hemisphere
Economy
command economy (364)
a type of economic system in which production of goods and services is determined by a central
government, which usually owns the means of production.
privatization (388)
the selling of government-owned business to private citizens
UNIT 6 (3 wks)
Southwest Asia and North Africa
Jan. 7th- Jan. 25th
History
mosque(504)
an Islamic place of worship where Muslims pray facing toward the holy city of Mecca
Zionism(511)
A movement that began in the 19th century to create and support a Jewish homeland in Palestine
Palestine Liberation Organization /P.L.O. (513)
A group formed in the 1960’s to regain the Arab land in Israel for Palestinian Arabs
Taliban (519)
A strict Muslim group in Afghanistan that has imposed rigid rules on society, including prescribed
clothing styles for both men and women, restrictions on the appearance of women in public places, and
regulations on television, music, and videos.
stateless nation (526)
Geography
aquifer (421)
an underground layer of rock that stores water
oasis (421)
a place where water from an aquifer has reached the surface
desertification (424)
an expansion of dry conditions to moist areas that are next to deserts
Mesopotamia (516)
A region in Southwest Asia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which was the location of
some of the earliest civilizations in the world; part of the cultural hearth known as the Fertile Crescent
Economy
irrigation (495)
An agricultural method that provides water to farmland through man-made improvements
desalinization (496)
19B Supporting
the removal of salt from ocean water
crude oil (497)
petroleum that has not been processed
refinery (497)
a place where crude oil is converted into useful products
OPEC (505)
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, is an economic alliance that
regulates the production and price of much of the world’s supply of petroleum. The country of Saudi
Arabia is a member of OPEC
guest workers(525)
a largely unskilled laborer, often an immigrant from South and East Asia, brought in to the oilbooming countries to fill job openings that the region’s native peoples find culturally or economically
unacceptable
UNIT 7 (3 wks)
sub-Saharan Africa
Jan. 28th- Feb. 15th
History
Olduvai Gorge (431)
A site of fossil beds in northern Tanzania, containing the most continuous known record of
humanity over the past 2 million years, including fossils from 65 hominids
Bantu migrations (448)
The movement of the Bantu peoples southward throughout Africa, spreading their language and
culture, from around 500 B.C. to around A.D. 1000
postcolonial (450)
Postcolonial refers to the time after colonial rule. It can described the arts, as in postcolonial
literature, or political affairs, as in postcolonial government.
apartheid (454)
a policy of complete separation of the races, instituted by the white minority government of
South Africa
acquired immune deficiency syndrome , or AIDS (456, 465-467)
a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV
Geography
savanna (66)
the term for the flat, grassy, mostly treeless plains in the tropical grassland region
plateau (415)
a wide, generally level, area of elevated land
basins(415)
a depression in the earth's surface
rift valleys (416)
a long, thin valley created by the moving apart of the continental plates, present in East Africa,
stretching over 4,000 miles from Jordan in Southwest Asia to Mozambique in Southern Africa
Economy
commodity (418)
an agricultural or mining product that can be sold
cash crop (433)
a crop grown for direct sale, and not for use in a region, such as coffee, tea, and sugar in Africa
famine (436)
a severe shortage of food over a long period of time leading to starvation
diversify (462)
(in agriculture) to increase the variety of products in a country’s economy; to promote
manufacturing and other industries in order to achieve growth and stability
UNIT 8 (3 wks)
South Asia
Feb. 19th- March 8th
History
Indus Valley Civilization (567,573)
The largest of the world’s first civilizations in what is now Pakistan; this was a highly developed
urban civilization, lasting from 2500 B.C. to about 1500 B.C
Aryan Invasion (567)
An Indo-European people who, about 1500 B.C. E., began to migrate into the Indian subcontinent
Mughal Empire (568)
The Muslim empire established by the early 1500’s over much of India, which brought with it
new customs that sometimes conflicted with those of native Hindus
British Raj (568)
The period of British rule in India, which lasted for nearly 200 years, from 1857 to 1947
Partition of British India (574)
Following independence, the division of the population of post-colonial India. The Muslims of
West and East Pakistan chose to separate from India where most of the people belong to the Hindu
religion.
Geography
subcontinent (551)
a landmass that is like a continent, only smaller, such as South Asia, which is called the Indian
subcontinent
alluvial plain (553)
land that is rich farmland, composed of clay, silt, sand, or gravel deposited by running water
archipelago (553)
a set of closely grouped islands
monsoon (557)
a seasonal wind, especially in South Asia
cyclone (557)
a violent storm with fierce winds and heavy rain; the most extreme weather pattern of South
Asia
Kashmir (574)
A region of northern India and Pakistan over which several destructive wars have been fought
Economy
land reform (569)
the process of breaking up large landholdings to attain a more balanced land distribution among
farmers
Green Revolution (570)
An agricultural program launched by scientists in te 1960’s to develop higher-yielding grain
varieties and improve food production by incorporating new farming techniques
Textile industry (570)
An Economic activity that is primarily concerned with the production of cloth and cloth products .
Culture
nonviolent resistance (568)
a movement that uses all means of protest except violence
Bollywood
Bollywood is a popular term for the motion picture industry based in Mumbai, India. Bollywood
movies are mostly filmed with actors using the Hindi language which makes them very popular with
India’s 250 million Hindi speakers.
caste system (572)
the Aryan system of social classes in India and one of the cornerstones of Hinduism in which each
person is born into a caste and can only move into a different caste through reincarnation
Ramadan (576)
An Islamic practice of month-long fasting from sunup to sundown
Sherpas(582)
A person of Tibetan ancestry in Nepal who serves as the traditional mountain guide of the Mount
Everest region
UNIT 9 (3 wks)
East Asia
March 11th- March 28th
History
dynasty(635)
a series of rulers from the same family
The Travels of Marco Polo(636)
The Travels of Marco Polo is the popular name for a work of literature that describes the
adventures of Marco Polo’s journey to the court of Kubla Khan in the 13th century.
People’s Republic of China (636)
The communist government formed in China following the defeat of the Japanese in World War
II and the American-supported Nationalist Army. The People’s Republic of China was commonly known in
as "Communist China" or "Red China" during the Cold War; today it’s known as China
Pearl Harbor (652)
An air-sea battle between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the combined American Forces
stationed on the island of Oahu, Hawai . Pearl Harbor is the name of both the American navy base and
the geographic location where the Pacific Fleet was anchored.
Hiroshima
the name of the Japanese city that was targeted for first American atomic bomb attack
Korean War (648)
A three- year period of open warfare between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea following the defeat of Japan to end the Second World War.
United Nations (86)
14C Readiness
An international peacekeeping organization founded in 1945 to provide security to the nations of
the world
Geography
typhoon (625)
a tropical storm ,like a hurricane, that occurs in the western Pacific
Pacific Rim (645)
An economic and social region including the countries surrounding the Pacific Ocean, extending
clockwise from New Zealand in the western Pacific to Chile in the eastern Pacific and including the west
coast of the United States
landlocked (84)
having no outlet to the sea
Economy
hydroelectric power (623)
Electricity generated by hydropower through the use of the gravitational force of falling or
flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy
economic tiger (645)
a country with rapid economic growth due to cheap labor, high technology, and aggressive
exports
nuclear power
Energy produced by nuclear reactors
export economy
an economy that is highly dependent on exports.
multinational (142)
a corporation that engages in business world wide
Culture
Shintoism (77)
Shintoism is a religion of 4 million observers who live primarily in Japan. Shintoism is similar to
Buddhism focusing particularly on nature and ancestor worship.
Taoism (638)
Taoism, or Daoism, is a philosophy based on the ideas of the Chinese thinker Laozi,who taught
that people should be guided by a universal force called the Dao. Taoism was suppressed in the first
decades of the People's Republic of China, but continued to be practiced in Taiwan and other Chinese
communities in Southeast Asia.
one-child policy (639)
A policy limiting families to one child in an effort to reduce the overall population.
Han People
The Han people are the largest ethnic group in the world comprising over 20% of the world’s
total population. The Han People are the majority ethnic group in the People’s Republic of China, the
country of Taiwan and the city-state of Singapore.
Mandarin (644)
Mandarin is the official language of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China.
More than 1 billion people speak Mandarin or one of its regional dialects.
samurai (651)
a professional soldier in Japan who served the interests of landowners and clan chiefs; samurai
influence began to fade with introduction of modern warfare techniques in the 19th century
UNIT 10 (3 wks)
Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Antarctica April 1st- April 19th
History
Bikini atoll (700)
The isolated reef, located in he Marshall Islands of the central Pacific, that was the site of U.S.
nuclear bomb tests, consequently contaminating te atoll with high levels of radiation and driving it
inhabitants away
Khmer Empire (705)
A powerful empire that lasted roughly from the 9th to the 15th centuries in what is now Cambodia
Indochina (707)
A French colony comprised of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam; it won independence from France in
1954
Vietnam War (707)
The military conflict resulting from American involvement in South Vietnam to prevent it
takeover by Communist North Vietnam
Geography
high islands (691)
Pacific islands created by volcanoes
low islands (691)
Pacific islands made up of coral reefs
Great Barrier Reef (692)
A 1,250 mile chain of more than 2,500 reefs and islands along Australia’s northeast coast,
containing some 400 species of coral
outback (697)
The dry, unpopulated inland region of Australia
polar desert (697)
A cold-weather region where the average temperature does not exceed 10 degrees Fahrenheit
during the warmest month and that receives less than 10 inches precipitation annually.
Krakatoa (710-711)
A massive volcanic explosion that occurred off the coasts of the islands of Java and Sumatra in
1883.
Economics
ASEAN (707)
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, an alliance that promotes economic growth and
peace in the region
subsistence activities (714)
an activity in which a family produces only the food, clothing, and shelter they themselves need
poverty rate
The poverty rate, or poverty line, is a measure of the minimum level of income deemed adequate
in a given region
Culture
Aboriginal people (718)
People who migrated to Australia from Asia at least 40,000 years ago; the original settlers of the
land
Maori (719)
The first settlers of New Zealand who had migrated from Polynesia more than 1,000 years ago
Stolen Generation (728)
In Australia, what Aboriginal people today call the 100,000 mixed-raced children who were taken
by the government and given to white families to promote assimilation