WG.1 Vocabulary Words Geography: The science that studies the lands, the features, the inhabitants, and the

phenomena of the earth Database: A structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system

that can be searched and sorted Diagram: A drawing that shows steps in a process or parts of an object Environment: Natural surroundings Field Work: The collection of raw data Geographic Information Systems (GIS): The software program that gathers geographic

information that is used to make and manipulate maps and data Maps, Globes: Instruments used to locate places on earth Photographs: Used to show details, such as the shape of the land, what plants cover an

area, and how land is being used Primary Sources: A document, recording or other source of information created with

direct personal knowledge; as an original source of information about a topic (journals, videos, photographs, and letters)

Satellite Image: Imagery that consists of photographs of Earth or other planets made by means of artificial satellites

Absolute Location: Relationship between distance on a map and the actual distance on the earth

Coordinates: The intersection of latitude and longitude lines, which identify the exact location of a place

Latitude: Location north or south of the Equator, measured by imaginary lines called parallels numbered in degrees north or south

Equator: Zero degrees latitude, divides the earth into northern and southern hemispheres

Longitude: Location east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured by imaginary lines called meridians numbered in degrees east or west

Prime Meridian: Zero degrees longitude; also known as the Greenwich meridian because it was established at the Greenwich observatory near London

Relative Location: Describes where a place on the globe is in relation to another place Scale: Indicates the relationship between the distances on the map and the actual

distances on Earth Cardinal Directions: The basic directions on the earth: north, south, east, and west Intermediate Directions: Directions that fall between cardinal directions: northwest,

southwest, southeast, and northeast Directional Indicator: A device drawn on maps to show direction Orientation: An object or person's position in relation to true north Map Projection: A way of drawing the round Earth on a flat surface Map Distortion: Features such as size, shape, distance, or scale can be measured

accurately on Earth, but once projected on a flat surface only some, not all, of these qualities can be accurately represented.

Mercator Projection: Grid projection that is useful for ship navigation and shows land shapes fairly accurately, but not size and distance

Robinson Projection: Fish bowl shaped projection best used for data representation; shows size and shape with less distortion

Polar Projection: Circular projection best used for mapping hemispheres as well as plane and airline navigation

Mental Maps: a personal perception of an area based on a person’s knowledge and experience

Thematic Maps: a map that shows patterns often emphasizing one subject or theme Physical Maps: a map that shows landforms and physical features of the earth Political Maps: a map that shows boundaries, countries, states, and infrastructure Bias: interpreting and judging phenomena, events, places and people in terms particular

to one's own culture

WG.2 Vocabulary Words Climate: The usual predictable pattern of weather of an area over a long period of time Climatic Regions:

o Low Latitudes: Tropical, wet, hot, and humido Middle Latitudes: Semi-arid to arid, cool to cold in winter, and warm to hot in the

summero High Latitudes: Sub-arctic, cold, tundra, and ice caps

Mid-latitude Forests: Vegetation regions that is an area of dense forest along the mid-latitude lines

Desert: Vegetation region that receives very little precipitation Rain Forest: Vegetation region that is an area of dense forest along the low latitude

climate region; receives high amounts of rain each year Savanna: Vegetation region that is a broad area of grassland in the tropics; few trees Steppe: Vegetation region that is partly dry grassland often found on the edges of

deserts Taiga: Vegetation regions that is a high latitude forest of evergreen trees that grow in

cool climates Tundra: Climate and vegetation regions that is a flat, treeless plain that has permanently

frozen subsoil Elevation: The height of an area above sea level Weather: Refers to the unpredictable changes in air that take place over a short period

of time Acid Rain: Precipitation that falls from a sky that is polluted with chemicals from things

like car emissions and the burning of fossil fuels Hurricane: A violent tropical storm system that forms over the warm waters; occurs in

the Atlantic Ocean Typhoon: A violent tropical storm that brings heavy rains and high winds; occurs in the

western Pacific and Indian Oceans Tornado: A violent, funnel shaped cloud that touches the earth and causes damage;

occurs in the United States

WG.3 Vocabulary Words Buddhism: A world religion or philosophy based on the teaching of the Buddha and

holding that a state of enlightenment can be attained by suppressing worldly desires Christianity: The religion based on life, teachings, and examples of Jesus Christ Divisive Force: A disagreement or hostility within a group that is likely to cause a conflict Ethnic Heritage: A way of life or tradition passed on from one generation to the next Hinduism: The religion of India and the oldest of the worldwide religions, characterized

by a belief in reincarnation and the essential unity of forms and theories Judaism: The religion of the Jews that has its basis in the Bible and the Talmud Monotheistic: The belief that only one God exists Region: Areas of the earth’s surface that share unifying (the same) characteristics Synagogue: A place of worship for people of Jewish faith. Temple: A place of worship for people of Hindu faith.

WG.5 & 6 Vocabulary Words Arable Land: Land that can be used for growing crops Capital Resource: Money needed to develop a business. Cultural Diffusion: Spread of culture from one country to others around the world. Drought: A prolonged period of extreme dryness in the weather. Ethnicity: Identity with or membership in a particular racial, national, or cultural group

and observance of that group’s customs, beliefs, and language. Famine: A severe shortage of food resulting in widespread hunger. Industrialization: The process of becoming a country with more industry. Life Expectancy: The average number of years a person can expect to live based on

standards of living. Pull Factor: Things that bring people to new places; (ex. jobs, land availability, religious

freedom, etc.) Push Factor: Things that push people from their homes; (ex. war, famine, better

opportunities, etc.) Refugee: A person who flees to another country to escape persecution or disaster. Rural: An area without a lot of industry; countryside. Urban: An area with a lot of industry; cities.

WG.5 & 6 Vocabulary Words Arable Land: Land that can be used for growing crops Capital Resource: Money needed to develop a business. Cultural Diffusion: Spread of culture from one country to others around the world. Drought: A prolonged period of extreme dryness in the weather. Ethnicity: Identity with or membership in a particular racial, national, or cultural group

and observance of that group’s customs, beliefs, and language. Famine: A severe shortage of food resulting in widespread hunger. Industrialization: The process of becoming a country with more industry. Life Expectancy: The average number of years a person can expect to live based on

standards of living. Pull Factor: Things that bring people to new places; (ex. jobs, land availability, religious

freedom, etc.) Push Factor: Things that push people from their homes; (ex. war, famine, better

opportunities, etc.) Refugee: A person who flees to another country to escape persecution or disaster. Rural: An area without a lot of industry; countryside. Urban: An area with a lot of industry; cities.

WG.7 Vocabulary Words Benefit: Something that has a good effect or promotes good well-being. Cost: The loss, sacrifice, suffering or effort involved in doing something. Indigenous People: Original inhabitants of a nation that are now out-numbered by

other ethnic groups. Primary economic activity: dealing with natural resources (ex. farming pigs). Renewable Resources: Resources that cannot be used up. Secondary Economic Activity: Manufacturing and processing (ex. slaughtering and

processing bacon into bacon, pork chops). Tertiary Economic Activity: Serve industries (ex. grocery stores that sell packaged pork

products to consumers).

WG.7 Vocabulary Words Benefit: Something that has a good effect or promotes good well-being. Cost: The loss, sacrifice, suffering or effort involved in doing something. Indigenous People: Original inhabitants of a nation that are now out-numbered by

other ethnic groups. Primary economic activity: dealing with natural resources (ex. farming pigs). Renewable Resources: Resources that cannot be used up. Secondary Economic Activity: Manufacturing and processing (ex. slaughtering and

processing bacon into bacon, pork chops). Tertiary Economic Activity: Serve industries (ex. grocery stores that sell packaged pork

products to consumers).

WG.7 Vocabulary Words Benefit: Something that has a good effect or promotes good well-being. Cost: The loss, sacrifice, suffering or effort involved in doing something. Indigenous People: Original inhabitants of a nation that are now out-numbered by

other ethnic groups. Primary economic activity: dealing with natural resources (ex. farming pigs). Renewable Resources: Resources that cannot be used up. Secondary Economic Activity: Manufacturing and processing (ex. slaughtering and

processing bacon into bacon, pork chops). Tertiary Economic Activity: Serve industries (ex. grocery stores that sell packaged pork

products to consumers).

WG.8 Vocabulary Words Developed Nation: Characteristics: industrialized, well developed infrastructure, high

literacy rate and technologically advanced. Developing Nation: Characteristics: working towards industrialization, low GDP, low

literacy rate, low life expectancy and high infant mortality rate. Indicator: A group of statistical values that give an indication of the health of the

economy. Literacy Rate: Percentage of people who can read and write (Developed countries have

higher rates). Quality of Life: Indicators that include wealth, employment, environment, physical and

mental health, education, recreation and leisure time and social belonging. Standard of Living: A level of material comfort as measured by the goods, services and

luxuries available to an individual, group or nation.

WG.9 Vocabulary Words Comparative Advantage: When countries export what they produce at a lower cost. Export: The shipping of goods and services out of a country. Import: The bringing in of goods and services into the country. Landlocked: Country with no land bordering a sea or an ocean. Proximity: Closeness in space.

WG.10 Vocabulary Words Alliance: a group of nations who agree to cooperate to achieve a common goal. Conflict: A physical or mental disagreement between ideas or people. Gerrymandering: To manipulate an election area by altering boundaries in order to gain

unfair political advantages. Nationalism: The desire to achieve political independence. Political Division: A geographic region accepted to be in the jurisdiction of a particular

government division.

WG.10 Vocabulary Words Alliance: a group of nations who agree to cooperate to achieve a common goal. Conflict: A physical or mental disagreement between ideas or people. Gerrymandering: To manipulate an election area by altering boundaries in order to gain

unfair political advantages. Nationalism: The desire to achieve political independence. Political Division: A geographic region accepted to be in the jurisdiction of a particular

government division.

WG.10 Vocabulary Words Alliance: a group of nations who agree to cooperate to achieve a common goal. Conflict: A physical or mental disagreement between ideas or people. Gerrymandering: To manipulate an election area by altering boundaries in order to gain

unfair political advantages. Nationalism: The desire to achieve political independence. Political Division: A geographic region accepted to be in the jurisdiction of a particular

government division.

WG.10 Vocabulary Words Alliance: a group of nations who agree to cooperate to achieve a common goal. Conflict: A physical or mental disagreement between ideas or people. Gerrymandering: To manipulate an election area by altering boundaries in order to gain

unfair political advantages. Nationalism: The desire to achieve political independence. Political Division: A geographic region accepted to be in the jurisdiction of a particular

government division.

WG.4 Vocabulary Words Democracy: A form of government in which citizens elect their leaders to govern for

them. Fortified: To make a place less susceptible to attack by building or creating defensive

structures such as walls, ditches or ramparts. Multinational Corporations: Business Firms that do business in many countries. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): Political Organization of 26 countries from

North America and Europe that supports democracy and security for its members. New York Stock Exchange: The world’s largest stock exchange located on Wall Street in

NYC. Continental Divide: The line that divides the flow of water between the Pacific Ocean

and the Atlantic Ocean.

WG.4 Vocabulary Words Democracy: A form of government in which citizens elect their leaders to govern for

them. Fortified: To make a place less susceptible to attack by building or creating defensive

structures such as walls, ditches or ramparts. Multinational Corporations: Business Firms that do business in many countries. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): Political Organization of 26 countries from

North America and Europe that supports democracy and security for its members. New York Stock Exchange: The world’s largest stock exchange located on Wall Street in

NYC. Continental Divide: The line that divides the flow of water between the Pacific Ocean

and the Atlantic Ocean.

WG.4 Vocabulary Words Democracy: A form of government in which citizens elect their leaders to govern for

them. Fortified: To make a place less susceptible to attack by building or creating defensive

structures such as walls, ditches or ramparts. Multinational Corporations: Business Firms that do business in many countries. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization): Political Organization of 26 countries from

North America and Europe that supports democracy and security for its members. New York Stock Exchange: The world’s largest stock exchange located on Wall Street in

NYC. Continental Divide: The line that divides the flow of water between the Pacific Ocean

and the Atlantic Ocean.

WG.11 & 12 Vocabulary Words Air & Water Quality Monitoring: Ensuring safe drinking water (public sources, wells,

reservoirs, dams, pipeline, oceans) and air quality (testing for and reducing pollution, toxic fumes).

Confluence Sites: Place where two or more rivers meet and join together. Drought: Extended period of extreme dryness and water shortages. Fall Line Sites: The point where uplands meet the coastal land and result in an abrupt drop,

resulting in waterfalls and rapids. Hilltop Sites: Raised area of land and was often the location of ancient cities because of

the protection provided by such position. Oasis Sites: Place with water and vegetation in the middle of the desert. Site: Actual location of a city. Situation: Relative location or the location of a city with respect to other geographic

features, regions, resources, and transport routes. Urban Sprawl: Expansion of human populations away from urban areas into remote and

rural areas, often resulting in communities dependent upon heavy automobile usage.

WG.11 & 12 Vocabulary Words Air & Water Quality Monitoring: Ensuring safe drinking water (public sources, wells,

reservoirs, dams, pipeline, oceans) and air quality (testing for and reducing pollution, toxic fumes).

Confluence Sites: Place where two or more rivers meet and join together. Drought: Extended period of extreme dryness and water shortages. Fall Line Sites: The point where uplands meet the coastal land and result in an abrupt drop,

resulting in waterfalls and rapids. Hilltop Sites: Raised area of land and was often the location of ancient cities because of

the protection provided by such position. Oasis Sites: Place with water and vegetation in the middle of the desert. Site: Actual location of a city. Situation: Relative location or the location of a city with respect to other geographic

features, regions, resources, and transport routes. Urban Sprawl: Expansion of human populations away from urban areas into remote and

rural areas, often resulting in communities dependent upon heavy automobile usage.

WG.4 Latin America Archipelago: Groups of islands Cash Crop: A product grown specifically for exporting Ejidos: Communal land that is shared Gaucho: Cowhand Haciendas: A large estate or ranch in Latin America Llanos: A tropical grassland plain situated at the east of the Andes in northwestern

South America Machu Picchu: Ancient Incan city in Peru located on top of a mountain Megacity: A large metropolitan city with a population of more than 10 million people Mestizos: A person of mixed European, African, and Native American descent NAFTA: A trade agreement between the countries of Canada, the United States and

Mexico that allows easier trade between countries Out Migration: To leave one region in order to settle in another Pampas: A level of grassland plain that is primarily found in Argentina and extends to

Uruguay Plantation: An agricultural estate usually worked by resident laborers Slash and Burn Agriculture: The practice of cutting down trees and burning the stumps

in order to create fields or to sell timber for profit Subsistence Farming: A small plot where a farmer grows only enough food to feed his

own family Tikal: Ancient Mayan ruins in Guatemala Vertical Zonation: When biomes are placed into zone based on their distribution or

arrangement in a habitat as determined by environmental factors

WG.4 The Middle East & Sub-Saharan Africa alluvial soils: A fine-grained fertile soil deposited by water flowing over the flood plains

or in river beds. Aswan High Dam: One of the world’s largest dams on the Nile River in southern Egypt. Church of the Holy Sepulcher: Large church in Jerusalem; also called the Church of the

Resurrection by Eastern Christians. delta regions: Regions with triangular deposits at the end of the river that occur when

the strong current of the river slows down and deposits the sediments it picked up. desertification: It is the gradual transformation of habitable land into desert; it is usually

caused by climate change or by destructive use of the land. Dome of the Rock: Muslim shrine in Jerusalem. escarpment: a steep cliff between higher and lower land. Hagias Sophia: Museum that is located in Istanbul, Turkey; was once a church, then a

mosque. Kabba: Cube-shaped ancient stone structure located inside the Grand Mosque in

Mecca, Saudi Arabia that is considered the center of the Muslim World and a unifying focal point for Islamic worship.

minaret: A tall, slender tower attached to a mosque, from which the muezzin (mosque official) calls the faithful to prayer.

mosque: A place of worship for followers of Islam. nomads: Individuals who move from place to place with herds of animals. oasis (oases – plural): The green area in a desert fed by underground water. Oral tradition: Messages or testimony transmitted orally from generation to another. pastoralism: A way of life that depends on raising livestock and living on its milk and

meat. plateau: elevated plain. refugees: People who flee from one country to another to escape war, famine, or

disease (persecution or disaster). Sahara: The World’s largest, hot desert that covers most of Northern Africa and

stretches from the Red Sea, to the outskirts of the Atlantic Ocean. Sahel: The boundary zone in Africa between the Sahara to the north and the more

fertile region to the south; countries are known for being large in size and small in population.

steppes: Grass-covered plain that receives low annual precipitation and is considered a vegetation region.

Suez Canal: Canal that allows two-way north-south water transport from Europe to Asia without circumnavigating Africa.

suqs: a market in an Arab City. Wadi (Wadis – plural): A dry riverbed that contains water only during time of heavy

rains. Western Wall: The holiest Jewish site; also known as the Wailing Wall.

WG.4 Asia ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): A geo-political and economic

organization of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia. batik: A cloth that traditionally uses a manual wax-resistant dyeing technique. commercial agriculture: Growing food for sale in markets. dense: So close together that there is little sense of open or unoccupied space. Environmental degradation: Deterioration of the environment through depletion of

resources such as air, water and soil with the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife.

Floating markets: Traditional ways of selling and buying fruits and vegetables from small boats.

Green Revolution: Agricultural advancements and technology enabling greater food production.

Ideograms: A symbol used in some writing systems that directly but abstractly represents a thing or concept itself rather that the word for it.

Loess: Fertile, yellow-gray soil deposited by wind and water. Pagoda: A place of worship for people of the Buddhist or Taoist faith. rural: An area without a lot of industry; countryside sparse: Thinly spread, or occurring with many spaces in between. terraced field: Strips of land cut out of a hillside like stair steps so the land can hold

water and be used for farming. urban: An area with a lot of industry; cities.

WG.4 Asia ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): A geo-political and economic

organization of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia. batik: A cloth that traditionally uses a manual wax-resistant dyeing technique. commercial agriculture: Growing food for sale in markets. dense: So close together that there is little sense of open or unoccupied space. Environmental degradation: Deterioration of the environment through depletion of

resources such as air, water and soil with the destruction of ecosystems and the extinction of wildlife.

Floating markets: Traditional ways of selling and buying fruits and vegetables from small boats.

Green Revolution: Agricultural advancements and technology enabling greater food production.

Ideograms: A symbol used in some writing systems that directly but abstractly represents a thing or concept itself rather that the word for it.

Loess: Fertile, yellow-gray soil deposited by wind and water. Pagoda: A place of worship for people of the Buddhist or Taoist faith. rural: An area without a lot of industry; countryside sparse: Thinly spread, or occurring with many spaces in between. terraced field: Strips of land cut out of a hillside like stair steps so the land can hold

water and be used for farming. urban: An area with a lot of industry; cities.

WG.4 Russia & Central Asia communist state: a country whose government has strong control over the economy

and society as a whole. Faberge’ Eggs: jeweled eggs. Fertile Triangle Region: western part of Russia where most of the commercial farming

takes place. free market economy: economy based on supply and demand with little or no

government control. hydroelectric power: electricity generated by flowing water. Ex. Aswan Dam. Matryoshka Dolls: a set if dolls of decreasing sizes placed inside one another. permafrost: underlying soil or rock that remains permanently frozen is found mainly in

the polar regions. Samovars: heated metal containers traditionally used to heat and boil water. Siberia: the vast region in northern Russia called the “Sleeping Land” due to the massive

amounts of undeveloped land. Trans Siberian Railroad: The main route runs from Moscow to Vladivostok via southern

Siberia. The RR spans 8 time zones.

WG.4 Russia & Central Asia communist state: a country whose government has strong control over the economy

and society as a whole. Faberge’ Eggs: jeweled eggs. Fertile Triangle Region: western part of Russia where most of the commercial farming

takes place. free market economy: economy based on supply and demand with little or no

government control. hydroelectric power: electricity generated by flowing water. Ex. Aswan Dam. Matryoshka Dolls: a set if dolls of decreasing sizes placed inside one another. permafrost: underlying soil or rock that remains permanently frozen is found mainly in

the polar regions. Samovars: heated metal containers traditionally used to heat and boil water. Siberia: the vast region in northern Russia called the “Sleeping Land” due to the massive

amounts of undeveloped land. Trans Siberian Railroad: The main route runs from Moscow to Vladivostok via southern

Siberia. The RR spans 8 time zones.

WG.4 Europe Black Forest: the forest in Germany that has been damaged by acid rain. Chernozem: a black colored soil containing a very high percentage of humus. Chunnel: the tunnel that connects England and France. colony: a nation or area that is ruled by another country. Euro: the currency of the European Union. European Union: an economic and political union consisting of 27 member nations

located primarily in Europe. exploration: the act of searching or traveling a terrain for the purpose of discovering

resources. fjords: a long, jagged coastline on the Atlantic Ocean or a steep-sided valley that are

inlets of a sea. Industrial Revolution: the widespread adoption of industrial methods of production

that began in the late 18th century in the United Kingdom and Europe. North Atlantic Drift: a powerful warm ocean current that flows northeast and has a

considerable warming influence on Europe’s climate. polders: an area of land reclaimed from the sea and protected by dikes, especially in the

Netherlands. prevailing westerlies: consistent winds in the mid-latitude climate regions. reunification: the two parts together under one government. East and West Germany

was divided by the Berlin Wall. It came down in 1989, and the country was unified. Vatican: Located in Rome, it is the smallest country in the world, it is recognized as a

single country.

WG.4 Europe Black Forest: the forest in Germany that has been damaged by acid rain. Chernozem: a black colored soil containing a very high percentage of humus. Chunnel: the tunnel that connects England and France. colony: a nation or area that is ruled by another country. Euro: the currency of the European Union. European Union: an economic and political union consisting of 27 member nations

located primarily in Europe. exploration: the act of searching or traveling a terrain for the purpose of discovering

resources. fjords: a long, jagged coastline on the Atlantic Ocean or a steep-sided valley that are

inlets of a sea. Industrial Revolution: the widespread adoption of industrial methods of production

that began in the late 18th century in the United Kingdom and Europe. North Atlantic Drift: a powerful warm ocean current that flows northeast and has a

considerable warming influence on Europe’s climate. polders: an area of land reclaimed from the sea and protected by dikes, especially in the

Netherlands. prevailing westerlies: consistent winds in the mid-latitude climate regions. reunification: the two parts together under one government. East and West Germany

was divided by the Berlin Wall. It came down in 1989, and the country was unified. Vatican: Located in Rome, it is the smallest country in the world, it is recognized as a

single country.

WG.4 Australia, Pacific Islands, Antarctica

Aborigines: the people of Australia who are descendents of people who came from Russia.

Great Barrier Reef: world’s largest coral reef system; composed of roughly 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch for 1,616 miles and cover an area of approximately 132,974 sq. miles.

ice shelf: A layer of ice above a body of water; sometimes a part breaks off and forms an iceberg.

Maori: the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. Great Dividing Range: Australia’s most substantial mountain range and the fourth

longest in the world. Thatched Roof: a roof with dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, and heather,

layering the vegetation to shed water away from the inner roof.

WG.4 Australia, Pacific Islands, Antarctica Aborigines: the people of Australia who are descendents of people who came from

Russia. Great Barrier Reef: world’s largest coral reef system; composed of roughly 3,000

individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch for 1,616 miles and cover an area of approximately 132,974 sq. miles.

ice shelf: A layer of ice above a body of water; sometimes a part breaks off and forms an iceberg.

Maori: the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. Great Dividing Range: Australia’s most substantial mountain range and the fourth

longest in the world. Thatched Roof: a roof with dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, and heather,

layering the vegetation to shed water away from the inner roof.

WG.4 Australia, Pacific Islands, Antarctica Aborigines: the people of Australia who are descendents of people who came from

Russia. Great Barrier Reef: world’s largest coral reef system; composed of roughly 3,000

individual reefs and 900 islands that stretch for 1,616 miles and cover an area of approximately 132,974 sq. miles.

ice shelf: A layer of ice above a body of water; sometimes a part breaks off and forms an iceberg.

Maori: the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. Great Dividing Range: Australia’s most substantial mountain range and the fourth

longest in the world. Thatched Roof: a roof with dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, and heather,

layering the vegetation to shed water away from the inner roof.