Geography is the study of the Earth’s landscapes, environments, places, and the relationships between people and their surroundings. This guide provides essential geography vocabulary for intermediate English learners with clear definitions and example sentences.
Physical Landforms
Continent: One of the Earth’s seven main large landmasses Example: “Africa is the second-largest continent and has 54 countries.”
Mountain: A large natural elevation of the Earth’s surface Example: “Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.”
Mountain Range: A group of connected mountains forming a chain Example: “The Andes mountain range runs along the western edge of South America.”
Hill: A naturally raised area of land, smaller than a mountain Example: “The rolling hills of Tuscany are famous for their beauty.”
Valley: A low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river running through it Example: “The Rhine Valley is known for its vineyards and castles.”
Plain: A large flat area of land with few trees Example: “The Great Plains of North America were once covered with vast grasslands.”
Plateau: A large flat area of land that is higher than the surrounding land Example: “The Tibetan Plateau is often called ‘the roof of the world’ due to its high elevation.”
Desert: A very dry area of land with little vegetation and rainfall Example: “The Sahara Desert covers much of Northern Africa and is the world’s largest hot desert.”
Canyon: A deep valley with steep sides, often carved from the Earth by a river Example: “The Grand Canyon was formed by the Colorado River over millions of years.”
Peninsula: A piece of land almost surrounded by water Example: “Spain and Portugal are located on the Iberian Peninsula.”
Isthmus: A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas Example: “The Isthmus of Panama connects North and South America.”
Cape: A point of land extending into a sea or ocean Example: “Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America is known for its dangerous waters.”
Cliff: A steep rock face, especially one at the edge of the sea Example: “The White Cliffs of Dover are a famous landmark on England’s coastline.”
Cave: A natural underground hollow place with an opening to the surface Example: “Prehistoric humans often used caves as shelter and created cave paintings.”
Volcano: A mountain with a crater through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas erupt Example: “Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano that famously erupted in 79 CE, burying the Roman city of Pompeii.”
Bodies of Water
Ocean: A very large expanse of sea Example: “The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth.”
Sea: A large body of saltwater partly enclosed by land Example: “The Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Strait of Gibraltar.”
Lake: A large body of water surrounded by land Example: “Lake Baikal in Russia is the deepest lake in the world.”
River: A large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another river Example: “The Amazon River carries more water than any other river in the world.”
Tributary: A river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake Example: “The Missouri River is the longest tributary of the Mississippi River.”
Delta: A triangular area of land formed at the mouth of a river Example: “The Nile Delta is where the Nile River empties into the Mediterranean Sea.”
Strait: A narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water Example: “Ships must navigate through the Strait of Malacca when traveling between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.”
Gulf: A large area of sea that extends into land Example: “The Gulf of Mexico is bounded by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba.”
Bay: A broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward Example: “San Francisco Bay is one of the world’s largest natural harbors.”
Fjord: A long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs Example: “Norway is famous for its beautiful fjords formed by glaciers.”
Coastline: The land along the coast, especially the outline or boundary of a coast Example: “Norway has one of the longest coastlines in the world due to its many fjords.”
Island: A piece of land surrounded by water Example: “Japan is an island nation consisting of four main islands and thousands of smaller ones.”
Archipelago: A group of islands Example: “Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, with over 17,000 islands.”
Reef: A ridge of rock, coral, or sand at or near the surface of the water Example: “The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia is the world’s largest coral reef system.”
Waterfall: A cascade of water falling from a height Example: “Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River is one of the largest waterfalls in the world.”
Climate and Weather
Climate: The weather conditions prevailing in an area over a long period Example: “The Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.”
Weather: The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time Example: “The weather forecast predicts rain tomorrow.”
Temperature: The degree of heat present in the air or a substance Example: “Average temperatures have been rising globally due to climate change.”
Precipitation: Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground Example: “The desert receives very little precipitation throughout the year.”
Humidity: The amount of water vapor in the air Example: “The humidity in tropical regions often makes it feel hotter than it actually is.”
Monsoon: A seasonal prevailing wind that brings heavy rainfall Example: “The monsoon season in India typically lasts from June to September.”
Hurricane/Typhoon/Cyclone: A tropical storm with strong winds and heavy rain Example: “Coastal areas were evacuated as the hurricane approached.”
Tornado: A violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground Example: “Tornadoes are common in the central United States, an area known as ‘Tornado Alley’.”
Drought: A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall Example: “The drought has severely affected crop production in the region.”
Flood: An overflow of water onto normally dry land Example: “The heavy rains caused floods that damaged many homes.”
Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns Example: “Climate change is affecting ecosystems around the world.”
Glacier: A slowly moving mass of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow Example: “Many glaciers are retreating due to global warming.”
Climate Zone: A region characterized by similar climate conditions Example: “Tropical climate zones are located near the equator and have warm temperatures year-round.”
Human Geography
Population: The number of people living in a particular area Example: “The population of India is over 1.3 billion people.”
Population Density: The number of people living in a specific area Example: “Singapore has a very high population density with many people living in a small area.”
Urbanization: The process of making an area more urban Example: “Rapid urbanization has transformed many once-rural areas into cities.”
Urban: Relating to a city or town Example: “Urban areas generally have better access to services and infrastructure.”
Rural: Relating to the countryside Example: “Many young people move from rural areas to cities for better job opportunities.”
Suburb: An outlying district of a city, especially a residential one Example: “Many people prefer living in the suburbs, where housing is often more affordable than in city centers.”
Migration: The movement of people from one place to another Example: “Economic factors often drive migration from developing to developed countries.”
Immigration: The process of coming to live permanently in a foreign country Example: “Immigration has contributed to cultural diversity in many countries.”
Emigration: The act of leaving one’s own country to settle permanently in another Example: “Economic hardship led to significant emigration from Ireland in the 19th century.”
Border: A line separating two countries, states, or regions Example: “You need to show your passport when crossing the border into another country.”
Settlement: A place where people establish a community Example: “The settlement grew around the natural harbor, which provided opportunities for trade.”
Infrastructure: The basic physical structures needed for the operation of a society Example: “Good transportation infrastructure is essential for economic development.”
Political Geography
Country/Nation: A political state or an area occupied by a community of people Example: “There are 193 member countries in the United Nations.”
Capital City: The city where a country’s government is located Example: “Canberra is the capital city of Australia, not Sydney as many people think.”
State/Province: A major administrative division of a country Example: “California is the most populous state in the United States.”
Territory: An area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state Example: “Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States.”
Federal: Relating to a system of government in which several states form a unity but remain independent in internal affairs Example: “The United States has a federal system where power is shared between the national government and state governments.”
Colony: A country or area under the political control of another country Example: “Many African countries were once European colonies.”
Independence: Freedom from political control by other countries Example: “India gained independence from British rule in 1947.”
Sovereignty: The authority of a state to govern itself Example: “The treaty recognized the sovereignty of the new nation.”
Geopolitics: The study of the effects of geography on politics and international relations Example: “Access to oil resources has been an important factor in geopolitics.”
Disputed Territory: An area claimed by two or more countries Example: “Kashmir is a disputed territory claimed by both India and Pakistan.”
Economic Geography
Natural Resources: Materials or substances occurring in nature that can be used for economic gain Example: “Oil, natural gas, and minerals are important natural resources for many countries.”
Agriculture: The science or practice of farming Example: “Agriculture is the main economic activity in many developing countries.”
Industry: Economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods Example: “The country’s economy has shifted from agriculture to industry over the past century.”
Trade: The buying and selling of goods and services Example: “International trade has increased significantly with globalization.”
Export: Sending goods or services to another country for sale Example: “Coffee is a major export of Colombia.”
Import: Bringing goods or services from another country for sale Example: “Japan imports most of its oil from other countries.”
Developed Country: A country with a highly developed economy and advanced technological infrastructure Example: “Developed countries typically have higher standards of living and better infrastructure.”
Developing Country: A country with a less developed industrial base Example: “Many developing countries are experiencing rapid economic growth.”
Globalization: The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence Example: “Globalization has connected economies around the world more closely.”
Economic Region: An area sharing specific economic characteristics Example: “The European Union is an economic region with integrated trade policies.”
Environmental Geography
Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment Example: “Coral reef ecosystems are among the most diverse on Earth.”
Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat Example: “The Amazon Rainforest has incredible biodiversity with millions of species.”
Conservation: The protection of important natural resources Example: “Conservation efforts have helped save many endangered species from extinction.”
Deforestation: The clearing of forests on a large scale Example: “Deforestation in the Amazon threatens indigenous communities and countless species.”
Erosion: The gradual destruction of something by natural forces Example: “Wind and water erosion can gradually wear away soil and rock.”
Pollution: The presence or introduction of harmful substances into the environment Example: “Air pollution in major cities can cause respiratory problems.”
Sustainable Development: Economic development conducted without depletion of natural resources Example: “Many countries are now focusing on sustainable development to protect the environment for future generations.”
Renewable Energy: Energy from a source that is not depleted when used Example: “Solar and wind power are forms of renewable energy.”
Carbon Footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere due to human activities Example: “Reducing your carbon footprint can help combat climate change.”
Protected Area: A clearly defined geographical space dedicated to conservation Example: “National parks are protected areas where development is restricted to preserve natural habitats.”
Cartography and Navigation
Map: A diagrammatic representation of an area of land showing physical features Example: “The map showed all the hiking trails in the national park.”
Globe: A spherical representation of the Earth Example: “A globe provides a more accurate representation of the Earth than a flat map.”
Atlas: A book of maps or charts Example: “The school atlas contained maps of all the countries in the world.”
Latitude: The distance of a place north or south of the Earth’s equator Example: “The equator is at 0 degrees latitude.”
Longitude: The distance of a place east or west of the Prime Meridian Example: “The Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, London at 0 degrees longitude.”
Equator: An imaginary line around the middle of the Earth at an equal distance from the North and South Poles Example: “Countries near the equator typically have hot climates.”
Prime Meridian: The meridian (line of longitude) at which longitude is defined to be 0° Example: “The Prime Meridian passes through Greenwich, London.”
Hemisphere: Half of the Earth, especially as divided into northern and southern or eastern and western portions Example: “Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere.”
Scale: The relationship between the actual size of an area and its size on a map Example: “A large-scale map shows a small area in great detail.”
Legend/Key: An explanation of the symbols used on a map Example: “Check the legend to understand what the different colors on the map represent.”
Contour Line: A line on a map joining points of equal height above sea level Example: “Contour lines that are close together indicate steep terrain.”
Compass: An instrument containing a magnetized pointer that shows the direction of magnetic north Example: “Hikers should always carry a compass in case they get lost.”
GPS (Global Positioning System): A space-based navigation system that provides location and time information Example: “Many smartphones have GPS capabilities to help people navigate.”
Coordinates: A set of numbers used to specify a location Example: “The GPS provided the exact coordinates of our location.”
Projection: The representation of the three-dimensional Earth on a two-dimensional surface Example: “Different map projections distort different aspects of the Earth’s surface.”
Regions and Biomes
Region: An area with characteristics that distinguish it from other areas Example: “The Midwest region of the United States is known for its agricultural production.”
Biome: A large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat Example: “The tundra biome is characterized by extremely cold temperatures and little vegetation.”
Rainforest: A dense forest with high rainfall, typically occurring in tropical regions Example: “Rainforests are often called the ‘lungs of the Earth’ because they produce so much oxygen.”
Desert: A dry, barren area with little or no precipitation Example: “Deserts often have extreme temperature variations between day and night.”
Grassland: A large open area of country covered with grass Example: “The African savanna is a grassland ecosystem with scattered trees.”
Tundra: A vast, flat, treeless region where the subsoil is permanently frozen Example: “The tundra is found primarily in the northernmost parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.”
Taiga/Boreal Forest: A swampy coniferous forest covering high northern latitudes Example: “The taiga is the world’s largest terrestrial biome, stretching across Canada and Russia.”
Wetland: Land consisting of marshes or swamps Example: “Wetlands are important ecosystems that help prevent flooding and filter water.”
Alpine: Relating to high mountains Example: “Alpine ecosystems exist above the tree line in mountainous regions.”
Coastal: Relating to the coast Example: “Coastal regions often have milder climates due to the influence of the ocean.”
Understanding these geography terms will help you read, write, and speak about the world around us more accurately and confidently in English. Geography vocabulary is useful not only for academic purposes but also for travel, current events, and understanding environmental issues that affect our planet.