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OCCT Geography Study Guide 2013
Standard 2
Region: Areas that share some common characteristics. Physical characteristics it shares would be its landscape or climate.
Human characteristics like language, political boundaries, religion, or occupations can also define a Region.
Reasons for Conflict: Humans can come into conflict due to differences in culture (i.e. religion, language, government type,
economic system). Humans can come in to conflict in regions because of competition for resources (i.e. water, fossil fuels,
minerals, forests, iron ore, arable land “farm land”.
Reasons for Cooperation: Humans can choose to cooperate when facing differences in culture or when resources are scarce.
Often when people have common culture or exchangeable resources people find reasons to cooperate.
How Regions change: Regions change when there is a cultural change or when there is an increase or shortage of resources.
Standard 3
THE EARTH
Four Parts of Inner Earth: Crust, Mantle, Outer Core, and Inner Core.
Crust: Outer layer of earth included surface of earth.
Mantle: Surrounds Core like egg white surrounds yellow yolk of egg.
Outer Core: Outside of inner core. Part of planet made up of liquid iron, nickel and oxygen.
Inner Core: Made of solid iron and nickel. About 8,100 degrees F.
Plates: The crust is made up of 2 plates; Continental plates, and Oceanic Plates.
Continental Drift: Plates are always moving, the continents are moving very slightly.
Pangea: Supercontinent that existed 250 million years ago.
Plate Tectonics: The theory of continental drift and Pangea.
Faults: Fractures in earths crust weakened by continental drift.
Earthquakes: Happen because of shifts in plate along faults.
Mountain Formation: volcanoes or continental drift or glaciers make Mountains.
Glaciers: Large masses of ice that leave scars like valleys or mountains on the surface of the earth.
Ice Age: Period ending 12,000 years ago when much more of the earth was covered by glaciers.
Erosion: Scars on earth surface caused by wind, water, glaciers. All of these wear away soil, and rocks.
Sedimentation: Is a build up materials carried away by erosion.
Movement of Earths resources: Soil, Minerals, Rocks can all be moved by Erosion, Glaciers, Sedimentation and Volcanoes.
TYPES OF CLIMATES
Climate: Zones in earth that share similar weather patterns and phenomena.
Tropical: Is always hot. Have wet and dry seasons. Located between Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer.
Dry: Generally indicated by desert. Hot in day, cold at night. Sahara Desert is an example of Dry climate.
Temperate: Generally very moderate temperatures, neither too hot nor too cold. Oklahoma is temperate.
Polar: A polar climate is always cold. As name suggest these are located at poles of Artic, and Antarctic.
Coastal: All climates (tropical, dry, temperate, and polar) can be coastal. Usually cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Continental: All climates (tropical, dry, temperate, and polar) can be continental. Suffer more extreme temperatures than coastal.
MAJOR BIOMES
Coral Reefs: Underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Home to sea creatures.
Deserts: Region that receives an extremely little rain, less than enough to support growth of most plants.
Grasslands: Areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other non-woody plants
Mountains: Below the tree line home to many alpine trees and animals.
Oceans: Home to aquatic life, generator of much of the world’s oxygen. Danger of Anoxic Dead Zones created by fertilizer.
Rain Forests: Home to many species of plants, animals, and generator of oxygen. Danger of Deforestation.
Tundra: A biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons.
Wetlands: A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally.
WEATHER TERMS
Circulation: Movement of cold air to hot air and visa versa or movement of high-pressure air to low pressure air or visa versa.
Prevailing Winds: Circulation produces prevailing winds that blow constantly over the earth.
Barometric Pressure: The pressure of the Earth’s atmosphere. Measured with Barometer.
Humidity: Is the amount of water vapor in the air.
The Water Cycle: The movement of water from evaporation, condensation, precipitation back to evaporation.
Evaporation: Water warmed by sun turns to vapors.
Condensation: Water vapors that cool into clouds or fog.
Precipitation: When water cools significantly it rains, sleets, hails or snows.
Latitudes near Equator: Tend to be very hot because they get more direct sunlight all year long.
Latitudes between Tropics: Tend to be warm to moderate because they get much direct sun light most of the year.
Greater Latitudes: Latitudes north of Tropic of Cancer and South of Tropic of Capricorn. Tend to be more moderate to cool
because they get direct sunlight for short seasons.
Elevation: High elevations like mountains tend to be cooler and have quick extreme weather changes. Low elevations like plains
are more moderate and have slower weather changes.
Currents: Oceans have movement like wind. Currents can move cooler water to warmer water and visa versa.
El Nino: Unusual warm currents in the ocean. Causes weather patterns to change.
La Nina: Unusual cold currents in the ocean. Causes weather patterns to change.
Tornadoes: Thunderstorms can create funnels of wind up to 200 miles an hour that can destroy everything in its path.
Earthquakes: Created by movement in plates. Can destroy lives and property due to violent shaking on earth’s surface.
Hurricanes: Low-pressure areas gone wild create massive tornadoes at sea. Up to 300 miles wide. Can destroy everything in its
path.
Tsunami: Mega waves caused by earthquakes that can be up to 200 feet high destroying lives and property near coasts.
Floods: Caused by large amount of rain in a short period of time can destroy people and property.
Volcanoes: Pressure created by movement in plates often erupts in Volcanoes destroying lives and property.
Standard 4
CULTURE
Culture: Shared way of life among a group of people. People can belong to many cultures because cultures include your religion,
politics, language, level of economy (i.e. poor or rich) and occupations.
Sub-culture: Most countries have a dominant culture usually based on the countries religion or language. But, all countries have
other cultures in them – these are called sub-cultures.
Mainstream Culture: Is the culture shared by the greatest number of people in a society.
RELIGION
Major World Cultures based on Religion: (In order of pop..) Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism.
Christianity: Dominant religion of Europe, America, parts of eastern Africa, Philippines, and Australia / New Zealand.
Islam: Dominant religion of Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Indonesia.
Hinduism: Dominant religion of India. India is the second largest country by population after China.
Buddhism: Dominant religion of China, Japan, Korea, and South East Asia.
Judaism: Dominant religion of Israel. Most Jews are spread out over Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Major World Cultures based on Language: (In order of pop..) Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, English, Bengali, Arabic.
Mandarin: Dominant language of China. Spoken in most of China. Canotonese is spoken in southern China.
Hindi: Dominant language of India:
Spanish: Dominant language of Spain, Central and South America.
English: Dominant language of The United Kingdom, North America, New Zealand, and Australia.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Political Philosophy: Types of governments can determine culture. Democracy, socialism, monarchies, dictatorships and
communism are all examples of political philosophy.
Direct Democracy Direct Democracy is where citizens make all decisions about the society. (Few exist except in tribal societies.)
Democratic Republic Representative Democracy or Republic is where elected official make the decisions for the society.
Communism: On Paper Communism is an economic system. In reality communism is a system in which people make no
decisions and have little or no freedoms, or property. A committee or dictator makes the decision for the society. China, Cuba,
North Korea, and Vietnam are all example of Communism.
Dictatorship: A government in which a dictator makes the decisions.
Monarchy: A government with a monarch (i.e. King, Queen, or Emperor) who makes the decisions.
Constitutional Monarchy: Today most monarchies are limited monarchies in which elected officials (parliaments) make the
decisions. The United Kingdom and Japan are examples of a Limited Monarchy.
ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
Economic Systems: Types of economies can determine culture. Capitalism, socialism, and communism are all major examples of
economic systems.
Capitalism: Capitalism is a system where the laws of supply and demand and self-interest run the economy. The Government
controls the economy very little thru regulations and controls on price and interest rates. In capitalism private property exists. The
United States, Japan and Hong Kong are capitalist economies.
Socialism: Socialism is a system where private property exists but government controls the economy more strictly through
government owned companies and total price controls. Most of Europe is Socialist.
Communism: Communism is a system where no private property exists. The government controls all aspects of the economy
from production to distribution. In communism, all people are equal and receive the same pay for their labor no matter their
occupation or effort. China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam are all example of a Communist economy.
ECONOMIC TERMS
Developed Countries: Sometimes referred to First World Nations. These countries are fully developed economically strong
industrial based economies. Developed Countries are wealthier and have a greater Gross National Product than non-developed or
developing countries. The United States, Canada, Most of Europe, Japan and Hong Kong are all Developed Countries.
Developing Countries: The countries are developing economically. They are predominantly agriculture or subsistence
economies. Developing nations tend to be poorer and have lower Gross National Products than developed countries. Most of
Africa, The Middle East, Southern Asia, Central and South America are developing countries.
Non Developed Countries: Formally called Third World Countries. Have traditional economies and chaotic government.
Subsistence Agriculture: Growing only enough for family’s needs. Most 3 rd World Countries have much Subsistence Farming.
Self Sufficiency: Countries or regions that are able to take care of their own needs. These countries are capable of importing no
resources, or produced items. The United States is such a nation.
Dependant nations: These nations depend on the importation of raw materials or produced goods. Developing nations sell raw
materials on the global market of exports and imports often at bargain prices and receive money to buy things in exchange.
Technology’s effect on Economies: Countries with greater technology have better economies.
Transportation’s effect on Economies: Countries that have greater transportation systems such as roads, railways, waterways
have better economies.
Communication’s effect on Economies: Countries that have greater communication via telephone, Internet, radio, and television
have better economies.
POPULATION TERMS
Ethnic Diversity: Often countries have many languages or ethnic groups living within them. This makes the country ethnically
diverse. The United States is very ethnically diverse.
Population: The number of people in a given area.
World Population: The current world population is over 6 billion. Almost half the world lives in China but in less than 20 years
India’s population will exceed China.
Population Density: Is the measure of the number of people who live in a given area, region or country. The country of India,
and the cities of Tokyo, Japan, and Mexico City, Mexico are most dense in population.
Population’s effect on Economies: The more people a country has, the more difficult and expensive it is to meet the people’s
economic needs.
Population’s effect on Environment: Over population can also negatively effect population because the increase of sewage and
garbage associated with overpopulation. Over population also uses up natural resources like land and water.
Population growth: The population of the earth has grown by 5.9 billion in the last two hundred years. If the birth rate exceeds
the death rate there is population growth. Famine and natural disaster can bring populations down fast.
Migration: The movement of populations from one region or country to another.
Internal Migration: The movement of people from one area in a country to another area in the same country.
Standard 5
RESOURCES
Resources: Natural resources include arable land, water, iron ore, fossil fuels, minerals, forests, agriculture, and fisheries.
Non-renewable resources: Non-renewable resources are those that cannot grow back or are limited. Minerals, Iron Ore, Fossil
fuels are examples of non-renewable resources.
Renewable resources: Are resources that grow back or are never ending. Lumber, Solar Energy, Hydro electrical Power are all
renewable resources.
Arable Land: Land that is useable for agriculture. Countries that have low latitude with a wide east-west territory have the most
arable land. The United States fits that category exactly. (Non-renewable)
Water: Water is the most precious and abundant resource on the planet. However, fresh water becomes scarcer every year. Water
has been and remains a major source of competition among countries. (Renewable.)
Iron Ore: Is the major component of steel. Iron Ore is an important natural resource. If a country has a large supply of Iron Ore
they will most likely make steel or export it to a country that does in exchange for money. (Non-renewable)
Fossil Fuels: Petroleum products like oil, coal, and natural gas are all fossil fuels meaning they come from the remains of plants
and animals. There is extreme competition for these resources. (Non-renewable)
Minerals: Useful metals and non-metals taken from the earth. They include precious metals like gold, or silver, or industrial
metals like copper, aluminum, or other mineral like salt, sand and gravel. For centuries, countries have competed for gold, silver,
copper, and salt. (Non-renewable)
Forests: Trees can be used for fuel, lumber, and paper. While they are renewable it takes time so conservation protects forests.
While there are more forests in the world today there are less Tropical Rain Forests, and Old Growth Forest. This has a negative
impact on the O-Zone.
Agriculture: Is the seeding and harvesting of crops for food consumption or economic for cash crops?
Fisheries: Fishing areas on the ocean are a resource. Unfortunately due to over fishing fisheries have less fish every year.
Resources in Developing Nations: Resources in developing nations are often extracted and exported for money. Sometimes they
are used in that country’s developing industries. Sometimes companies from developed nations extract and export the resources
outside of that country. Sometimes, this is referred to as robbing resources.
Resources in Developed Nations: Resources in developed nations are extracted and used in that countries industrial system.
Sometimes those resources are exported to other developed nations.
Impact of the Lack of Resources: Countries that lack resources have difficulty developing. The greatest problem is faced by
nations that have a lack of fresh water and arable land.
Conflict over Resources: Since resources are so important to a countries economic development they are often issues of
competition and war. Countries for centuries have fought wars over gold, silver, water, minerals, fisheries and forests.
AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Steel Plow Countries that do not use steel plows in their agriculture production faced problems meeting that countries food
demands. Other inventions like tractors, and modern irrigation also cause similar problems.
Crop Rotation: Countries that use the scientific method of rotating crops across three fields to keep the soil full of nutrients have
higher agriculture production. Developing nations always practice crop rotation therefore their agriculture production remains
high.
Flood Prevention’s Impact: Many non-developed and developing countries do not possess the tools, resources, and ability to
prevent floods therefore they risk destruction of crops, property and life by floods.
Greenhouse Effect: Also known as global warming. Emissions from carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses create a kind of
blanket that absorbs infrared radiation trapping them close to the earth. To prevent this countries have tried to lower emission of
greenhouse gases from cars, and factories.
Desertification: Overgrazing by animals, over production of agriculture and drought can cause rich prairies and grasslands to
become deserts making them no longer arable. This has happened in Ethiopia causing mass famine and starvation.
Clear Cutting Forests: Many countries clear entire forests for lumber or to create more arable farmland. Reducing forests
further caused the greenhouse effect because the oxygen emitted lowers OZONE emissions. Also, forests are a major source of
oxygen for the planet.
Air Pollution: all things cause Air pollution from animals to humans to industry and equipment. Air pollution can cause acid
rain, which kills fish and is harmful to humans. SMOG from coal fires or gasoline exhaust and CFC’s like Freon for air
conditioners are dangerous to the air and can help cause the Greenhouse Effect.
Water Pollution: Water pollution threatens species of animals and is a major cause of habitat destruction. Water pollution also
threatens humans because of the destruction of fresh drinking water caused by water pollution. Water can be polluted by
chemical dumped into them or by seepage of chemical through the soil into the water table. Fertilizers are a major source of
groundwater pollution.
Urban Sprawl: Many cities have grown so large that they now dominate whole regions destroying natural habitats and arable
land. An example of urban sprawl is the phenomena of the growing suburbs surrounding cities making cities larger than necessary
for population demands.
Use of Pesticides: Pesticides are poisons to kill bugs and other animals that harm crops. Pesticides can cause air pollution and can
cause water pollution if they seep into the soil.
Use of Herbicides: Herbicides are poisons that kill weeds harmful to grass and crops. Herbicides can kill fish and can cause algae
to grow in water contaminating the water further.
Use of Fertilizers: Contributes to nitrogen in rivers producing so much algae that oxygen is burned off resulting in Anoxic Water
or Dead Water with no oxygen. No fish or plants can survive in Anoxic Water.
Biodiversity: Maintaining a diverse pool of plants and animals is one reason why habitat must be protected from pollution and
destruction.
Biotechnology: Extracting drugs from plants and animals to fight diseases.
Slash and Burn Agriculture: Method of clearing land for planting by cutting and burning of forests. Land quickly loses its
ability to produce crops so more land is cleared using slash and burn methods thereby resulting in Deforestation.
Desalinization: Process used to make seawater drinkable. Creates toxic by-product called brine. Desalinized water is very
expensive.
Source of River
Isthmus
Narrow strip
of land linking
to larger pieces
of land.
Alluvial Plain:
Rich farmland created along river
banks by silt
OTHER LANDFORM AND WATER FORM DATA:
Tributary: Small river or stream that adds to another river to make it larger. The Missouri river is a tributary of the Mississippi
River north of St. Louis.
Silt: Rich soil carried downstream by rivers and deposited along Alluvial Plains and in Deltas.
Terraces: Stair stepped fields used by farmers who live in hilly or mountainous areas. See below:
Agriculture Terraces
THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY
1. Location: Tells you where something is. Either Relative Location of Absolute Location.
2. Place: Tells you what a place feels like either using Physical Characteristics or Human Characteristics.
3. Human Environment Interaction: Tells you how humans have changed their surroundings. Good things like
Dams which produce electricity can have negative effects on the environment like extinction of a type of fish.
4. Regions: Have characteristics that unify them like climate, culture, language, boundaries, Regions can be formal,
functional or vernacular. Formal regions are those designated by boundaries like cities. Formal regions are defined
by their connections like broadcast area of Channel 9. Vernacular regions are everyday language like “Down South”
“Back East”.
5. Movement: Humans move, a lot! In addition, ideas, fads, goods, resources, and communication travel distances.
This theme studies movement and migration across the planet.
Major Map Factoids: Do you know the following?
Longitude= Long Pass from pole to pole.
Prime Meridian
Artic Circle
Latitude = Flatitude
Tropic of Cancer
Equator
Tropic of Capricorn
Antarctic Circle
LATITUDE = Runs east and West. Sometimes called lines of parallel.
LONGITUDE = Runs north and South. Sometimes called lines of meridian.
Checklist:
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Can you identify and use map keys, scales, and a compass rose?
Can you read and understand charts, tables, and graphs?
Can you identify MAJOR world countries and cities?
Can you find a location using longitude and latitude?
Can you use the gazetteer below to fine a location with your big map?
o Baghdad. Capital of Iraq. 33N 44E.
o Czech Republic. Eastern European county north of Austria. 50N 15E