VISUAL GUIDE to GEOGRAPHIC TERMS

Archilpelago

• A group of islands

Atoll

• A ring-shaped reef, islands, or chain of islands formed of coral

Bay

• A broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward

canyon

• A deep gorge, typically one with a river flowing through it

Cape

• A cape is a promontory of large size extending into a body of water

Continental Divide

• The highest point of a continent from which the direction of river flow is 
• determine

Delta

• A triangular tract of sediment deposited at the mouth of the river 

Estuary

• The tidal mouth of a large river, where the tides meet the stream 

Fjord

• A long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs 

Glacier

• A slowly moving mass or river of ice formed by the accumulation 

Gulf

• A deep inlet of the sea almost surrounded by land, with a narrow mouth 

Headwaters

• A tributary stream of a river close to or forming part of its source 

Island

• A piece of land surrounded by water 

Isthmus

• A narrow strip of land with sea on either side

Lagoon

• A stretched of salt water separated from the sea by a low sandbank 

Mesa

• An isolated flat topped hill with steep sides 

Ocean Currents

• An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of seawater  

Peninsula

• A piece of land surrounded by water 

Plateau

• An area of relatively level high ground

Reef

• A ridge of jagged rock, coral or sand just below the surface of the sea

Strait

• A narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water