DSSEP Home Page Geography Benchmark Terms and Definitions
Grades 4-5 Cluster

Geography 1


Maps

Mental Map - graphic images about the organization and layout of
space that we have in our minds

Relative location - the position of a place in relation to another place

Physical feature - a natural characteristic of the earth's surface
(river, mountain, lake, forest)

Political division - an area with its own governmental system.

Settlement - a community of people, can be rural or
urban


Geography 2


Environment

Topography - the surface features (rivers, lakes, mountains,
hills, canals, bridges, roads, etc), description of physical features of
an area

Climate - how hot or cold, wet or dry a place is over a long period of
time.

Soil - the surface layer of earth, supports plant life.

Vegetation - plant life

Society - all people; a group of persons regarded as forming a single
community

Alter - change or modify

Physical environment - the natural features and processes of the Earth

Geography 3


Places

Location - a position on earth

Human activities - actions and behaviors by people interacting with the
environment

Settlement - a new community

Route - a way or means (path, road, direction) from one point to
another


Geography 4


Regions

Geographic profile - an outline or summary that includes the
physical and human features of an area

Local - pertaining to area close to home, a restricted
area

Physical region - an area with common natural features

Cultural region - an area with common knowledge, attitudes, behaviors



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