Geography Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on core geography terms: peninsula, latitude, climate, erosion and continents. B1–B2 level.
Geography Vocabulary — FAQ
Latitude lines run east to west and measure how far north or south a place is from the equator. Longitude lines run from pole to pole and measure how far east or west a place is from the Prime Meridian. Together they give the exact coordinates of any point on Earth.
A peninsula is a piece of land that is almost completely surrounded by water but remains connected to a larger landmass by a strip of land. Examples include Florida and the Iberian Peninsula. It differs from an island, which is entirely surrounded by water.
Erosion is the gradual wearing away and movement of rock and soil by natural forces such as water, wind, ice and gravity. Over long periods, erosion shapes landscapes, carving valleys, canyons and coastlines.
Climate is the average pattern of weather conditions, such as temperature and rainfall, in a particular region over a long period of time, usually decades. It is different from weather, which describes short-term conditions on a particular day.
A peninsula is land surrounded by water on most sides but attached to a larger area of land. An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger land areas and has water on both sides, such as the Isthmus of Panama.
A plateau is a large area of relatively flat land that is raised significantly above the surrounding terrain, with at least one steep side. Plateaus are sometimes called tablelands and can form through volcanic activity or the uplift of the Earth's crust.
A strait is a narrow channel of water that connects two larger bodies of water, such as two seas or a sea and an ocean. Famous straits include the Strait of Gibraltar and the Strait of Dover. Straits are often important shipping routes.
The source is the place where a river begins, often in hills or mountains. The mouth is the place where the river ends and flows into a larger body of water such as a sea, lake or another river. Water flows from the source downstream to the mouth.
Altitude is the height of a place or object above sea level. It affects temperature, air pressure and the types of plants and animals that can live in an area. Generally, the higher the altitude, the colder and thinner the air becomes.
A delta is a low, often triangular area of land formed where a river deposits sediment as it enters a sea or lake and slows down. Deltas, such as the Nile Delta, are usually very fertile and important for farming.