TASC Geography Level 3 key terms

The distance of a place north or south of the equator, measured in degrees. Lines of latitude run east to west and circle the globe parallel to each other.

The distance of a place east or west of the prime meridian, measured in degrees. Lines of longitude run from pole to pole and converge at the poles.

The imaginary line at zero degrees latitude that circles Earth halfway between the North and South Poles, dividing the planet into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

The imaginary line at zero degrees longitude passing through Greenwich, England. It separates the Eastern and Western Hemispheres and is the starting point for measuring longitude.

One half of Earth, such as the Northern, Southern, Eastern, or Western Hemisphere. Hemispheres are divided by the equator or by the prime meridian and its opposite line.

One of Earth's seven large, continuous landmasses: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Continents vary greatly in size, climate, and population.

A vast body of salt water covering most of Earth's surface. The five named oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic, and they connect to form one global system.

A natural feature of Earth's surface, such as a mountain, valley, plateau, plain, or delta. Landforms are shaped by forces like erosion, weathering, and tectonic movement.

The scientific theory that Earth's outer shell is broken into large plates that slowly move over the mantle. Their collisions and separations build mountains, cause earthquakes, and create volcanoes.

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by the release of energy when rock along a fault breaks or shifts. Earthquakes are most common near tectonic plate boundaries.

An opening in Earth's crust through which lava, ash, and gases escape. Volcanoes often form where tectonic plates collide or pull apart, or above hot spots in the mantle.

The wearing away and removal of rock or soil by natural forces such as water, wind, ice, or gravity. Erosion reshapes landforms over time and can be accelerated by human activity.

The breaking down of rocks and minerals in place through physical, chemical, or biological processes. Unlike erosion, weathering does not move the broken material to a new location.

The long-term average pattern of temperature, precipitation, and other weather conditions in a region. Climate is influenced by latitude, elevation, ocean currents, and nearby landmasses.

The short-term state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover. Weather changes hour to hour and day to day.

A broad region with a characteristic pattern of temperature and rainfall, such as tropical, arid, temperate, or polar. Zones are largely determined by latitude and atmospheric circulation.

Any water that falls from clouds to Earth's surface, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Precipitation is a key part of the water cycle and shapes regional climates.

The continuous movement of water between the ocean, atmosphere, and land through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. It redistributes fresh water around the planet.

An area of land where all the water that falls on it drains to a common outlet, such as a river, lake, or ocean. Watersheds are the basic units for managing water resources.

A network of streams and rivers that drain a watershed, flowing from headwaters to a mouth. River systems carry sediment, shape valleys, and supply water for people and agriculture.

A fan-shaped deposit of sediment that forms where a river slows and spreads as it enters a lake or ocean. Deltas are often fertile and densely populated.

The average number of people living in a given area, usually expressed as people per square kilometer or square mile. It reveals how crowded or sparse a region is.

The way people are spread across an area, from clustered cities to empty deserts. It is influenced by climate, landforms, resources, and economic opportunity.

The growing share of a population living in cities and towns rather than rural areas. It is driven by economic opportunity, migration, and natural population growth.

The movement of people from one place to another, either within a country or across borders. Push factors drive people away, while pull factors attract them to a new location.

A material or energy source found in nature that people use, such as water, soil, minerals, forests, or fossil fuels. Resources may be renewable or nonrenewable.

A natural resource that can be replenished by natural processes within a human lifetime, such as sunlight, wind, flowing water, or timber. Careful management is still needed to avoid overuse.

A resource that forms over millions of years and is used faster than nature can replace it, such as coal, oil, or natural gas. Once depleted, these resources cannot be easily restored.

The relationship between distance on a map and the actual distance on the ground. It may be shown as a ratio, a bar, or a written statement such as one inch equals one mile.

A key on a map that explains the meaning of symbols, colors, and line styles used. It helps readers interpret features such as roads, rivers, and boundaries correctly.

A symbol on a map showing the directions north, south, east, and west. It helps users orient the map and understand which way features and routes are aligned.

A method of transferring the curved surface of Earth onto a flat map. Every projection distorts some combination of shape, area, distance, or direction.

The exact position of a place on Earth, usually given as a set of latitude and longitude coordinates or a street address. It does not change with context.

The position of a place described in relation to other places, such as north of a city or near a river. It depends on the reference point chosen.

A computer system for capturing, storing, and analyzing data linked to locations. It layers different kinds of spatial data so patterns and relationships can be examined.

Collecting information about Earth's surface from a distance, using satellites, aircraft, or drones. It provides images and measurements used to monitor land cover, weather, and change over time.

A map designed to show a particular theme or topic, such as population density, climate, or land use, rather than general reference features. Data is often shown with colors or symbols.