Geographic Terms
Dateline: 06/16/97 (Rev. 12/04/97)Guide's Note: This feature was written before I added the Geography Glossary to this site. Please visit the glossary for a huge list of geographc terms and their definitions.
Through this week's feature, I aim to provide some definitions of geographic terminology. This recurring feature will become a glossary of sorts here at the Geography site.
- Archipelago: A group or chain of islands.
- Atoll: A ring-shaped island formed by the growth of coral reefs. An atoll surrounds a lagoon.
- Bar: A ridge of sand, gravel, or sediment deposited off the coast by ocean currents or in a river.
- Barrier Reef: An offshore coral reef ridge which somewhat parallels the coastline.
- Beach: The accumulation of sand, gravel, or sediment located at the transition zone between land and water.
- Cape: A small peninsula. A finger of land extending to the sea.
- Island: A body of land surrounded by water.
- Isthmus: A narrow strip of land which connects two larger masses of land.
- Lake: A body of water surrounded by land.
- Peninsula: A body of land almost surrounded by water, connected to a larger landmass by a narrow piece of land.
- Reef: A rock mass (often coral) which lies at or near the water surface.
