rain containing acids that form in the atmosphere when industrial gas emissions, especially sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides
adaptation
modification; alteration or adjustment in structure or habits
arable land
land that can be used for growing crops
biome
a major biotic community characterized by the dominant forms of plant life and the prevailing climate
climatic
of or relating to a climate, or meteorological conditions
continental drift
the gradual movement and formation of continents (as described by plate tectonics)
cultural fusion
the mixture of two or more cultures of different races
density
thickness; quantity of something per unit measure, especially per unit length, area, or volume
desertification
the gradual transformation of habitable land into desert; is usually caused by climate change or by destructive use of the land
developed nations
a sovereign state that has a highly developed economy and advanced technological infrastructure relative to other less developed nations
developing nations
a nation with a low living standard, underdeveloped industrial base
distribution of resources
the distribution of resources, including land, water, minerals, fuel and wealth in general among corresponding geographic entities
drought
dry period; aridity; long period of abnormally low rainfall
earthquake
quake from underground; disturbance that is extremely disruptive; temblor
ecosystem
system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment
elevation
altitude; height; distance of something above a reference point
emigrant
someone who leaves one country to settle in another
ethnic heritage
a socially defined category of people who identify with each other based on a shared social experience or ancestry
famine
shortage of food; starvation
flood
a large flow; the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
fossil fuel
fuel consisting of the remains of organisms preserved in rocks in the earth's crust with high carbon and hydrogen content
GIS
geographic information system, a computer system used for storage, retrieval, mapping, and analysis of geographic data
global warming
an increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere, especially a sustained increase that causes climatic changes
human
relating to a person; characteristic of humanity
hurricane
big storm; severe tropical cyclone
map projection
a projection of the globe onto a flat map using a grid of lines of latitude and longitude
modification
act of modifying, or state of being modified; modified form or condition; a change
pattern
a model considered worthy of imitation; something regarded as a normative example
perspective
appearance of things; view, outlook, or vista
plate tectonics
the branch of geology studying the folding and faulting of the earth's crust
policy
settled method of government to administer; system of public or official administration
prevailing winds
the predominant wind direction
processes
a natural prolongation or projection from a part of an organism either animal or plant; a mental process that you are not directly aware of
regional
related or limited to a particular region
tectonic plate
a scientific theory that describes the large-scale motions of Earth's lithosphere, the model builds on the concepts of continental drift, developed during the first few decades of the 20th century
tornado
cyclone; localized and violently destructive windstorm
tsunami
a cataclysm resulting from a destructive sea wave caused by an earthquake or volcanic eruption
typhoon
tropical cyclone occurring in the western Pacific; violent whirlwind
urban sprawl
an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities
urbanization
social process whereby cities grow and societies become more urban
volcano
fissure in the earth's crust through which molten lava and gases erupt
weather phenomena
phenomenon in a weather event that can be explained by the principles of meteorology