Glossary

Area	The amount of a surface within a given boundary measured in square units.
Border	The dividing line between one country or region and another.
Canal	A channel that is dug across land. Canals connect bodies of water so that ships can travel between.
Capital	A town or city that is the seat of government.
Civilization	An advanced state of intellectual, cultural, and material development in human society.
Climate	The usual weather in a place, as in a warm climate, not the daily temperature.
Compromise	A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions.
Conquer	To defeat or subdue by force.
Conservative	Favoring traditional views and values.
Countries	A part of the world with its own borders and government.
Desert	A dry often, sandy area where hardly any plants grow because there is so little rain.
Dictator	An absolute ruler.
Earthquake	A sudden violent shaking of the earth caused by a shifting of the earth’s crust.
Elevation	The height above sea level.
Form	To make up something or create something.
Herds	A large number of wild animals that move together.
Independence	The state of quality of being independent.
Jungle	An impenetrable thicket or tangled mass of tropical vegetation.
Land	The part of the earth’s surface that is not covered by water.
Legends	An unverified story handed down from earlier times.
Level	A height, as in sea level.
Liberal	Favoring reform; Open to new ideas.
Limestone	A common sedimentary rock used for building.
Mountain	A very high piece of land.
Petroleum	A thick, oily liquid found below the earth’s surface. It is used to make gasoline, kerosene, heating oil, and many other products.
Plain	A big, extensive area of level or rolling treeless country.
Plateau	An area of high, flat land.
Province	A territory governed as an administrative or political unit.
Pyramids	A monument built usually over a crypt.
Ranges	A series of connected mountains.
Region	A specified district or territory
Republic	A political order whose head of state that is not a monarch. In modern times is usually a president.
Resource	Something valuable or useful to a place or a person, fresh water is one of our great natural resources.
Revolt	To attempt to overthrow the government.
Temples	A building dedicated to religious ceremonies or worship.
Tropical	To do with our living in a hot, rainy area of the tropics.
Volcano	A mountain with vents through which molten lava, ashes, cinders, and gas erupt, sometimes violently.

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