Physical Geography is defined as "the branch of geography concerned with natural features and phenomena of the Earth's surface,
as landforms, drainage features, climates, soils, and vegetation." (1)
In this page, you will learn about many of the natural features and phenomena of the Earth's surface that I learned about this year. You will also learn how these features and phenomena affected the cultures we studied. Below is a list of examples of physical geography and their definitions.
A bay is a small body of water a little smaller than a lake. it is mainly surrounded by land but opens up to a ocean. Bays are usually salt water.
Schema Connection: I have seen a movie where a guy rented a jet ski and he flipped one in a bay. From his facial expression, it looked like it tasted bad.
A gulf is similar to a bay but much bigger. A gulf is also partly surrounded by land and opens up to to a ocean.
Schema Connection: When I was in Florida, I went to the Gulf of Mexico. Why would there be oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico versus a bay? Well bays would be too shallow and there would not be a lot of space for the gigantic rigs! The Gulf of Mexico which has lots of space and it is deep enough to get oil.
A plain is a flat grass land area with some small hills. It is usually very dry and can catch fire very easily.
Schema Connection: In 5th grade, I did a pioneer simulation. In this simulation, my group had to put out a fire in the plains (it was very hard because it was summer).
An isthmus is a small strip of land connecting two larger areas of land together. I don't think I would like to live on an isthmus because homes could be easily damaged from storms and waves.
Schema Connection: Maui, Hawaii has an isthmus between two volcanoes. One of those volcanoes is Haleakala. My parents have been to the top of Haleakala to watch the sunrise. One day, I hope I can see the sunrise on Haleakala.
A plateau is an elevated plain that has at least one steep dropping side.
Schema Connection: The Qin (ch-in) dynasty had protection because part of their empire was on a plateau. I would rather be on a plateau than flat land. If I was being attacked, then I could see the enemy coming. They would have to climb up the plateau. This would give me time to prepare for battle.
A strait is a narrow passage of water connecting two larger areas of water. A strait is when either two long Islands or a continent and a long island are close to each other and then the ocean fills in the area and you have a little water way to transport goods.
An archipelago is many islands that are totally surrounded by water. For example, Hawaii is an archipelago because there are so many islands and they are totally surrounded by water.
Schema Connection: My parents went to Hawaii for a vacation and I am hopeful that one day they will take me so I can learn more.
A peninsula is a landform that is mainly surrounded by water and has a little opening connected to land. One example of a peninsula is Florida.
Schema Connection: I have been to a peninsula when I went to Disney World in Florida.
A channel is wider than a strait and joins two larger bodies of water together. Channels make very good trade routes.
Schema Connection: I have never been to a channel or seen a channel but have heard about athletes trying to swim across the English Channel.
A delta is the mouth of a river. It usually has very rich soil. A river that comes from a delta is usually fresh water. You might ask if the delta water comes from an ocean, then why is the river water fresh? Well, the delta acts like a filter for the salt and the salt is absorbed, thus making the water fresh.
as landforms, drainage features, climates, soils, and vegetation." (1)
In this page, you will learn about many of the natural features and phenomena of the Earth's surface that I learned about this year. You will also learn how these features and phenomena affected the cultures we studied. Below is a list of examples of physical geography and their definitions.
A bay is a small body of water a little smaller than a lake. it is mainly surrounded by land but opens up to a ocean. Bays are usually salt water.
Schema Connection: I have seen a movie where a guy rented a jet ski and he flipped one in a bay. From his facial expression, it looked like it tasted bad.
A gulf is similar to a bay but much bigger. A gulf is also partly surrounded by land and opens up to to a ocean.
Schema Connection: When I was in Florida, I went to the Gulf of Mexico. Why would there be oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico versus a bay? Well bays would be too shallow and there would not be a lot of space for the gigantic rigs! The Gulf of Mexico which has lots of space and it is deep enough to get oil.
A plain is a flat grass land area with some small hills. It is usually very dry and can catch fire very easily.
Schema Connection: In 5th grade, I did a pioneer simulation. In this simulation, my group had to put out a fire in the plains (it was very hard because it was summer).
An isthmus is a small strip of land connecting two larger areas of land together. I don't think I would like to live on an isthmus because homes could be easily damaged from storms and waves.
Schema Connection: Maui, Hawaii has an isthmus between two volcanoes. One of those volcanoes is Haleakala. My parents have been to the top of Haleakala to watch the sunrise. One day, I hope I can see the sunrise on Haleakala.
A plateau is an elevated plain that has at least one steep dropping side.
Schema Connection: The Qin (ch-in) dynasty had protection because part of their empire was on a plateau. I would rather be on a plateau than flat land. If I was being attacked, then I could see the enemy coming. They would have to climb up the plateau. This would give me time to prepare for battle.
A strait is a narrow passage of water connecting two larger areas of water. A strait is when either two long Islands or a continent and a long island are close to each other and then the ocean fills in the area and you have a little water way to transport goods.
An archipelago is many islands that are totally surrounded by water. For example, Hawaii is an archipelago because there are so many islands and they are totally surrounded by water.
Schema Connection: My parents went to Hawaii for a vacation and I am hopeful that one day they will take me so I can learn more.
A peninsula is a landform that is mainly surrounded by water and has a little opening connected to land. One example of a peninsula is Florida.
Schema Connection: I have been to a peninsula when I went to Disney World in Florida.
A channel is wider than a strait and joins two larger bodies of water together. Channels make very good trade routes.
Schema Connection: I have never been to a channel or seen a channel but have heard about athletes trying to swim across the English Channel.
A delta is the mouth of a river. It usually has very rich soil. A river that comes from a delta is usually fresh water. You might ask if the delta water comes from an ocean, then why is the river water fresh? Well, the delta acts like a filter for the salt and the salt is absorbed, thus making the water fresh.