Geography Dictionary (Firefly Pocket series) - Softcover

Firefly Books

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1552978389 ISBN 13: 9781552978382

Publisher: Firefly Books, 2003

Synopsis

A practical reference of the major terms used in geography.

The field of geography covers all aspects of physical, environmental, and human geography. The Firefly Geography Dictionary is an up-to-date A-Z reference with 1,500 concise definitions of geographical terms. The geographical themes covered include atmosphere, weather and climate, coastal formation, geomorphology, settlement and economic development.

The terminology defined is as diverse as:

Acid rain
Chinook
Hybridization
Incised meander
Nucleated settlement
Radiocarbon dating
Urban decay

Extensive cross-referencing links words highlighted within definitions to further definitions so that complex and linked concepts are fully explained. Over 200 illustrations help visualize concepts, such as age-sex pyramid, drainage patterns and green-house effect.

The Firefly Geography Dictionary is a convenient quick reference suitable for home or library.

About this title

About the Author

Firefly Books Ltd., established in 1977, is one of Canada's leading book publishers and distributors of quality non-fiction and children's books. Their goal is to bring readers beautifully produced books written by experts. Most of their books are tightly focused and contain full color photographs and illustrations throughout. With particular strengths in cookbooks, gardening, astronomy, health, natural history, pictorial books, reference books (especially for children) and sports, Firefly Books provides readers with a wealth of information.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Using this book

The Geography Dictionary contains more than 1,500 articles and over 130 illustrations covering a wide range of topics in all areas of physical, human, and environmental geography. The book has been designed to be easy to use by readers of all levels.

The order of articles is strictly alphabetical. Many of the articles in this dictionary have cross-references in bold type to support and provide useful related information about the subject. These cross references often follow "SEE ALSO" at the end of the article.

Where appropriate, alternative names and spellings for the terms are given at the end of the article, following "ALSO CALLED". Where an alternative name is in common use, there is an entry under that name that gives a cross reference to the article that contains the definition.

The illustrations have two purposes. Firstly, they support the articles, giving graphic representations and explanations of concepts. Secondly, they provide additional information, augmenting and expanding the content of the article.

SAMPLE ENTRIES FROM "A"

aa
The Hawaiian name for blocky lava, a type of lava flow which has solidified into a blocky mass, rather like cinders in appearance. Gases would have escaped from the molten lava in a fairly violent fashion, making the rock jagged and angular. Examples are found on Mauna Loa in the Hawaiian Islands, Mt. Etna in Sicily and Mt. Hekla in Iceland. SEE ALSO pahoehoe

ablation
1. Lose of ice in a glacier due to evaporation and melting. The process includes melting at the top of the ice because of sunshine, and around the edges of the ice because of rainwater or meltwater.
2. The loss of ice at the end of a glacier where an iceberg may break off.

ablation moraine
The rock debris left at the side of a glacier after ablation has occurred.

aborigines
The native inhabitants of any country, now normally used to refer to the original inhabitants of Australia only. Some Australian aborigines still live in very isolated parts of Northern Australia, but many now work on farms or live in towns. They formerly lived by hunting and gathering, using boomerangs to kill birds and animals, and were skillful at finding food in a very difficult environment.

abrasion
The wearing away of rocks by the action of wind, water or ice carrying particles of dust and sand; a mechanical process, which acts rather like sandpapering. Abrasion in rivers will erode the banks and may form potholes on the bed. Abrasion is most active where there is no vegetation to protect the rocks and soil, especially in deserts. Mushroom-shaped rocks have been formed by abrasion, and telegraph poles have been worn through by wind-blown sand. Abrasion is effective along coastlines, too, where it will wear away at cliffs as well as the shore. SEE ALSO wave-cut platform

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1552978389
• ISBN 13: 9781552978382
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256