The Mexican American War PDF - Denver Public Schools

The Mexican-American War
TEACHER’S COPY
Geography Vocabulary Worksheet
bay ......................... Body of water partially enclosed by land but with a wide mouth,
affording access to the sea
canyon .................. Deep, narrow valley with high, steep slopes
coast ...................... Land along a large lake, sea, or ocean
compass rose........ Directional arrows on a map that show north, south, east and west
desert .................... Large land area that receives very little rainfall
forest ..................... Large land area covered with trees
gulf ........................ Large area of water that lies within a curved coastline
harbor ................... Sheltered body of water where ships can anchor safely
hill ......................... Small area of land, higher than the land around it
island .................... Piece of land surrounded by water
isthmus ................. Narrow piece of land that joins two larger sections of land
lake ........................ Inland body of water
latitude ................. Lines on the map that run east to west and measure distance from the
equator. Used with the lines of longitude, they create a grid system that
allows for easier map reading.
legend ................... This explains the information shown on the map; specifically symbols
and the meaning of different colors.
longitude .............. Lines on a map that run north to south and measure distance from the
prime meridian. Used with the lines of latitude, they create a grid system
that allows for easier map reading
mountain .............. Land that rises much higher than the land around it
mountain range ... Row of mountains that are joined together
ocean ..................... Any of the large bodies of water into which the whole body of salt water
that covers much of the Earth is divided
peninsula .............. Piece of land that projects into a body of water and is connected with the
mainland by an isthmus
physical maps ...... A map that illustrates continental land elevations and ocean depths
using different colors. Also other major physical features such as deserts
and mountains are shown. Some countries and cities may be shown as
well.
plains .................... Extensive area of level or rolling treeless country
plateau .................. Large area of high land area that is generally flat
political map ........ A map that shows countries, states, provinces, territories, and cities with
different colors for easy recognition. Cities are shown in different sizes of
type and have different symbols to indicate their populations.
river....................... Large body of fresh water that moves from higher to lower land. Rivers
usually flow into another river, sea, or ocean
sea.......................... Large body of salt water partly, or almost completely, surrounded by
land. A sea is much smaller than an ocean
thematic map ....... A map that provides specific information about a topic or a theme,
valley .................... Lower land between hills or mountains. A valley usually contains a river
or a stream
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