Transcript World Geography 3200/3202

World Geography 3202
Unit #1
Land & Water Forms
Topography
• Topography is a general term referring to
the surface features of the earth like hills,
mountains, valleys and other relief
features.
• Your book defines it as " the natural and
human features of the earth's surface".
Hills vs. Mountains
• Hills elevation < 300 -600 M
• Mountains elevation > 300-600 m
• Books differ on the actual relief
required to be a mountain.
Plains vs. Plateaus
• Both are similar in that they are gently sloping or
relatively broad flat regions of land.
• Like hills and mountains, plains & plateaus differ
based on elevation.
• Plains occur at low elevations along coasts &
central continent
• Plateaus occur at high altitudes and are
associated with mountains.
Land Form Patterns ….
• Most mountains & high elevations are
located on coasts of continents.
Patterns Of Mountains
• Large Mountain Ranges along the West coast of
North & South America.
The Andes- S.America
The Rocky Mountains
Tectonic Plate Boundaries
• Major mountain ranges coincide with tectonic
plate boundaries….the EDGE…where 2 plates
meet!!
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Rockies- N.A.
Andes- S.A.
Hymalayas - Asia
Mid Atlantic Ridge
More About Topography
• Your Book Page 6-9
• www.ngdc.noaa.gov/
mgg/image