ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY UNIT 5

ARCHIPELAGO

A group of islands.

BASIN

A sunken landform which is lower than the surrounding area.

DESERT

A landscape that receives very little precipitation, and where only a few plants , like cactuses, can grow.

ISLAND

An area of land that is completely surrounded by water.

LAKE

A large body of water surrounded by land contained in an inland basin.

LANDFORM

A physical feature of the terrain, like a mountain, valley or peninsula.

MASSIF

A large mass of mountains.

MEANDER

A bend in a river.

MOUNTAIN

A natural elevation on the Earth’s surface that is higher than a hill.

MOUNTAIN RANGE

A group or chain of mountains that are close together.

PEAK

The highest point of a mountain.

PENINSULA

An area of land that is mainly surrounded by water, but is connected to the continent.

PLAIN

A low flat area.

PLATEAU

A high flat area that has been formed by the erosion of mountains.

RIFT VALLEY

A long valley in the East of Africa formed by a geological rift, or fault.

RIVER

A continuosly flowing current of water that flows into the sea, a lake or another river.

SAVANNAH

 Grassland that has very tall grass during the rainy season, as well as shrubs and a few widely spaced tres.

WETLANDS

Areas of land, such as marshes, taht are partly covered by water.