Weather and Climate - Summer Session II 2009 (GRGS301K)

Geography S301K (Unique #84073) M,Tu,W,Th,F 11:30am

WEATHER AND CLIMATE
2nd Summer Session 2 0 0 9

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND THE ENVIRONMENT / UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

LOCATION AND TIME: Geography Building / GRG 102, M-F 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

LECTURER: Troy Kimmel - CV - Biography (Email: tkimmel@mail.utexas.edu)
TEACHING ASSISTANT: Shari Adams (Email: SEWilcox@mail.utexas.edu)
OFFICE: Geography Building (Northeast Corner of 24th Street and Whitis Avenue), Room 340
OFFICE HOURS: M,Tu,We,Th 10:30-11:30am and 12:45-1:15pm as well as other times by appointment
PHONES: Home Office 335-6472 (At Times other Than Office Hours), UT Office 232-1590 (During Office Hours), UT Geography Switchboard 471-5116

CLASS OBJECTIVES:
Our study of weather and climate is intended for Geography majors and all others interested in a broad brush examination of
the atmospheric and climatic sciences. This study will be introductory in nature with only a very basic use of mathematics.
We will start with a study of meteorology. From this foundation, we will go into the different aspects of the atmosphere and
then, later, into climatological matters and discuss the various climatic regimes including that of Texas and the local area.

ATTENDANCE:
While this is probably not going to be the hardest course you've ever taken (or will take) in your college career, it is rather intensive.
This is due, primarily, to the amount of material to be covered during the semester. It is, therefore, my philosophy that your success
in this course will vary directly with your class attendance. Be aware of the fact that attendance will be taken on a daily basis and this
information will be used in the computation of your final class grade. Excessive absences will work against you.. while perfect
attendance can help you to the next highest letter grade in borderline situations at the end of the semester.
Our class time is 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Promptness is expected.. you should make every effort to be in the
classroom by 11:30 a.m. Late arrivals are an interruption to the class material being presented and are unfair to your fellow students that
have made the effort to be on time.

GRADING PROCEDURE:
Your final grade will be determined by your numerical performance on the examinations as noted (ALL dates, as indicated on outline,
are TENTATIVE and are SUBJECT TO CHANGE):


Examination #1	200 points
Examination #2	200 points
Examination #3	200 points
Place Name Examination	50 points
Examination #4	200 points
Attendance PopQuizzes/Exercises	50 points
Final Cumulative Exam	300 points

Only three of the regular examination scores will count; the lowest of the four grades will be dropped (see MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS).
All numerical scores will be added together to arrive at a possible 1000 points at the end of the semester.. where 900 to 1000 points will earn
an "A," 800 to 899 points a "B," 700 to 799 points a "C," 600 to 699 points a "D," and 0-599 points will be failing. Weekly examinations will be
objective (multiple choice).
Please note that the "plus/minus" grading system (i.e., A-, C+) will not be implemented in this class until the fall 2009 semester.
If you have a question regarding exams, it is your responsibility to visit during office hours when we will access your copy of the exam.
Any questions regarding exams will be brought forth within one week of the exam return date otherwise the grade is considered final.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
The University of Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information,
contact the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY.
If you have documentation regarding accommodations from the Dean of Students office, it is your responsibility to arrange to meet with me, in person and
during office hours, as early as possible in the semester to discuss exact accommodations. When you come to this meeting, you will be required to provide
written documentation from the Services for Students with Disabilities.

CLASSROOM / CAMPUS EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS:
The status of University of Texas campus activities in times of emergency (i.e., severe/inclement weather) along with some important procedures
in case of emergencies on our campus as well as in our classrooms can always be found on the University of Texas Emergency Web page.
The University of Texas maintains an Emergency Action Plan that addresses emergencies that could potentially affect the University campus and
our community. You can reference the entire PDF document here.
Our UT Siren System is used in times of emergencies when it is necessary for you to "shelter in place" in campus buildings (remain in or go to the
nearest building on campus when the siren is activated and remain there until the "all clear" is given). The UT Siren System, as part of policy, is
tested monthly on the first Wednesday of every month between 11:50 am and 12:00 noon. Please don't take the siren system tests for granted.
Be ready to take action if the siren system is activated!
We will also discuss, during the first class day of the session, our emergency plan for our specific classroom in case of fire, severe/inclement weather
and other different situations. Please take this discussion seriously and ask any questions that you may have!!

UT POLICY ON EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Instructor to student email is a recognized and accepted form of official communication here at the University of Texas.
For the University policy, read this. It is critically important that (1) you make sure to have your current and most
frequently checked email address on file in UT Direct and (2) you check it on a daily basis. I will send class email frequently during the
semester and you'll be given updates and change notices in references to lectures as well as exams.

TEXTBOOK MATERIAL:

We will utilize the following textbook during the semester:

Essentials of Meteorology
(5th Edition) - Required C. Donald Ahrens / Thomson Learning

Goode's World Atlas (21st Edition)- Recommended Rand McNally

Essentials of Meteorology (5th Edition) - Required	C. Donald Ahrens / Thomson Learning
Goode's World Atlas (21st Edition)- Recommended	Rand McNally

These books are available at the University Coop as well through on-line textbook websites. Please shop around for the best price.

Here are the links for the material contained in our ON-LINE ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTAL TEXT:
           METAR (SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATION) TUTORIAL
           METAR DECODING EXERCISE
           TEXAS WEATHER OBSERVING LOCATIONS
           UCAR LOCATION IDENTIFIER STATION QUERY SYSTEM
           CLOUD TYPE TUTORIAL     (TK's Cloud/Precipitation On Line Module)
           PRECIPITATION TYPE TUTORIAL
           KOPPEN CLIMATE CLASSIFICATION FLOW CHART

MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS:
There will be NO make-up "weekly" examinations under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. It's precisely for the reasons of sickness
and other unplanned absences as well as for the occasional "bad" test day that I allow your lowest "weekly" examination score
to be dropped. In reference to the place name examination, a make-up will ONLY be given in emergency written excused absence
cases (see UT regulations on excused absences).
Please note that you are required to take the final exam on the date and time as specified by the University (no excused absences).

EXAMINATION DAYS:
In order to ensure honesty in the classroom (and given the class size for this particular class and section), please note that I have set
guidelines in reference to examination days:
              # Beginning with the handout of the examinations, I expect silence
              # All material that you bring with you on examination day will be placed on the floor under your seat
              # No headwear (caps, hats) will be worn while in our classroom, not only for examinations, but anytime for that matter
              # Once the examination is distributed, there will be no leaving the classroom for any reason.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS / POLICY ON SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:
Students who violate university rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties including possibility of failure
of course and dismissal from the University. Since dishonesty harms the individual, fellow students and the integrity of the
University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be STRICTLY ENFORCED in this class.

GEOGRAPHY S301K (2ND SUMMER SESSION 2009) TENTATIVE CLASS MATERIAL OUTLINE

Please note that all dates on the syllabus are VERY TENTATIVE and can and will change during the semester.
The first three test dates are NOT listed on the syllabus.. the exact date will be announced in class a week (or more)
ahead of time.

NEW!!! GRG301K Class Notes - Outline

DATE SUBJECT MATTER TEXT CHAPTERS

13 Jul Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Atmosphere Ch 1

14-15 Jul Earth-Sun Relationship; Heat Transfer & Balance; Greenhouse Effect, Energy Balance Ch 2,3

16 Jul Latent Heat, Latitudinal Heat Balance; Heat and Temperature; Temperature Scales, Data, Uses Ch 3

17 Jul Moisture, Moisture Measurements; Atmospheric Stability; Dew/Frost; Cloud Formation; Fogs Types and Formation Ch 4-5

20 Jul Cloud Classification, Types/Features; Precipitation Formation/Types Ch 5-6

EXAMINATION #1-- Covers Introduction through Precipitation Chapters 1-6

21-23 Jul Atmospheric Pressure; Pressure Readings; The "Standard" Atmosphere; Global Scale/Upper Level Winds; Forces at Work; Wind Measurement Ch 7,8

24-27 Jul General Air Circulation; Jet Streams, El Nino/La Nina/ENSO; Local Scale Winds; Airmasses; Weather Patterns; Cyclogenesis; HIgh and Low Pressure Areas; Fronts Ch 8,9,10

28-31 Jul High and Low Pressure Areas and Associated Weather; Weather Forecasting Ch 9,13

EXAMINATION #2-- Covers Pressure through Radar/Satellite Meteorology Chapters 7-10,13

03-04 Aug Introduction to Thunderstorms; Thunderstorm Hazards - Lightning, Hail, Flash Floods Ch 11

05-06 Aug Severe Thunderstorms Ch 11

07 Aug Tornadoes Ch 11

10 Aug Tropical Meteorology Ch 12

EXAMINATION #3-- Covers Thunderstorms through Severe Weather Climatology Chapters 11-12

11 Aug Introduction to Climatology and Climate Classification Ch 15

12 Aug Koppen Climate Types A (Tropical) and B (Arid) Ch 15

13 Aug Koppen Climate Types C (Subtropical) and D (Temperate) Ch 15

14 Aug Koppen Climate Types E (Polar) and H (Highland) Ch 15

US/Texas/Austin Climate Classification & Climate Change Ch 15,16

EXAMINATION #4-- Covers Climate Chapters 15,16

Monday / 17 Aug FINAL CUMULATIVE EXAMINATION (7pm - 10 pm) - REQUIRED

DATE	SUBJECT MATTER	TEXT CHAPTERS
13 Jul	Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Atmosphere	Ch 1
14-15 Jul	Earth-Sun Relationship; Heat Transfer & Balance; Greenhouse Effect, Energy Balance	Ch 2,3
16 Jul	Latent Heat, Latitudinal Heat Balance; Heat and Temperature; Temperature Scales, Data, Uses	Ch 3
17 Jul	Moisture, Moisture Measurements; Atmospheric Stability; Dew/Frost; Cloud Formation; Fogs Types and Formation	Ch 4-5
20 Jul	Cloud Classification, Types/Features; Precipitation Formation/Types	Ch 5-6
	EXAMINATION #1-- Covers Introduction through Precipitation	Chapters 1-6
21-23 Jul	Atmospheric Pressure; Pressure Readings; The "Standard" Atmosphere; Global Scale/Upper Level Winds; Forces at Work; Wind Measurement	Ch 7,8
24-27 Jul	General Air Circulation; Jet Streams, El Nino/La Nina/ENSO; Local Scale Winds; Airmasses; Weather Patterns; Cyclogenesis; HIgh and Low Pressure Areas; Fronts	Ch 8,9,10
28-31 Jul	High and Low Pressure Areas and Associated Weather; Weather Forecasting	Ch 9,13
	EXAMINATION #2-- Covers Pressure through Radar/Satellite Meteorology	Chapters 7-10,13
03-04 Aug	Introduction to Thunderstorms; Thunderstorm Hazards - Lightning, Hail, Flash Floods	Ch 11
05-06 Aug	Severe Thunderstorms	Ch 11
07 Aug	Tornadoes	Ch 11
10 Aug	Tropical Meteorology	Ch 12
	EXAMINATION #3-- Covers Thunderstorms through Severe Weather Climatology	Chapters 11-12
11 Aug	Introduction to Climatology and Climate Classification	Ch 15
12 Aug	Koppen Climate Types A (Tropical) and B (Arid)	Ch 15
13 Aug	Koppen Climate Types C (Subtropical) and D (Temperate)	Ch 15
14 Aug	Koppen Climate Types E (Polar) and H (Highland)	Ch 15
	US/Texas/Austin Climate Classification & Climate Change	Ch 15,16
	EXAMINATION #4-- Covers Climate	Chapters 15,16
Monday / 17 Aug	FINAL CUMULATIVE EXAMINATION (7pm - 10 pm) - REQUIRED

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GRG301K CLASS REFERENCE

KIMMEL'S FAVORITE WORLD WIDE WEB WEATHER SITES

...KIMMEL'S IN-CLASS WEBSITES...
HOME PAGE .. GRG301K CLASS SYLLABUS .. FORECAST LABORATORY

...UNIVERSITY SITES...
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN/METEOROLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH/DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY
TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY/METEOROLOGY
FLORIDA STATE/ METEOROLOGY

...CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA SITES...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE/NATIONAL CLIMATIC DATA CENTER
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE/CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA (Free Data Restricted to EDU Domains only!)
U. S. REGIONAL CLIMATE CENTERS
WORLD CLIMATE DATA
WORLD CLIMATE MAPS

...RADAR/SATELLITE DATA SITES...
NASA WEATHER SATELLITE SERVER
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE/SATELLITE SERVER
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADAR

...INTERNATIONAL WEATHER AGENCIES...
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE/GUAM
UK METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE/LONDON
MEXICO METEOROLOGY OFFICE
CANADIAN WEATHER CHANNEL

...SEVERE STORM SPOTTER/CHASER SITES...
TEXAS SEVERE STORMS ASSOCIATION
STORM CHASER HOMEPAGE

...CLASS INSTRUCTIONAL WEB SITES...
CLOUDS AND PRECIPITATION
TORNADOES: A SATELLITE AND RADAR PERSPECTIVE

PLACE NAME LOCATION LIST - GRG301K

ABOUT GEOGRAPHY - Blank Base Map Website
ON LINE GEOGRAPHY KNOWLEDGE QUIZ

THIS IS A LIST OF GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS OF WHICH EACH COLLEGE STUDENT SHOULD BE AWARE.
YOU HAVE ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS TO WORK WITH THIS LIST, REVIEW YOUR ATLAS SKILLS, AND
BY USING YOUR GOODE'S WORLD ATLAS AND GAZETTEER, GET TO KNOW THE LOCATION OF EACH PLACE LISTED.

GLOBAL SCALE FEATURES

EQUATOR

TROPIC OF CANCER

TROPIC OF CAPRICORN

ARCTIC CIRCLE

ANTARCTIC CIRCLE

NORTH POLE

SOUTH POLE

PRIME MERIDIAN

INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE

CONTINENTS

EUROPE

AFRICA

NORTH AMERICA

SOUTH AMERICA

ASIA

ANTARCTICA

AUSTRALIA

OCEANS

ATLANTIC

PACIFIC

INDIAN

ARCTIC

SEAS, BAYS, GULFS, STRAITS, CHANNELS, PASSAGES, CANALS, ETC

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR

DARDANELLES

BLACK SEA

SUEZ CANAL

RED SEA

ARABIAN SEA

PERSIAN/ARABIAN GULF

BAY OF BENGAL

SOUTH CHINA SEA

GULF OF ALASKA

HUDSON BAY

GULF OF MEXICO

CARIBBEAN SEA

PANAMA CANAL

STRAIT OF FLORIDA

WINDWARD PASSAGE

STRAIT OF MAGELLAN

DRAKE PASSAGE

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE

CAPE HORN

NORTH SEA

YUCATAN CHANNEL

BERING SEA

STRAIT OF HORMUZ

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND

MAJOR ISLANDS AND ISLAND GROUPS

GREENLAND

ICELAND

GREATER ANTILLES

LESSER ANTILLES

BRITISH ISLES

MADAGASCAR

CYPRUS

SICILY

BORNEO

NEW GUINEA

TAIWAN

JAPAN

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

NEW ZEALAND

AZORES

CANARY ISLANDS

BAHAMA ISLANDS

BERMUDA

TRINIDAD

WINDWARD ISLANDS

PHILIPPINES

SEYCHELLES

OCEAN CURRENTS

NORTH EQUATORIAL CURRENT

EQUATORIAL COUNTER CURRENT

SOUTH EQUATORIAL CURRENT

GULF STREAM

LABRADOR CURRENT

CANARY CURRENT

EAST BRAZIL CURRENT

JAPAN (KUROSHIO) CURRENT

CALIFORNIA CURRENT

ALASKA CURRENT

PERU (HUMBOLDT) CURRENT

EAST AUSTRALIAN CURRENT

MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES, PLATEAUS AND BASINS

ALPS

ANDES MTS

ATLAS MTS

BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS

ARABIAN PLATEAU

HIMALAYAS

HINDU KUSH MTS

ROCKY MTS

URAL MTS

CONGO BASIN

GREAT BASIN

AMAZON BASIN

IRANIAN PLATEAU

DESERTS

ATACAMA

AUSTRALIAN

GOBI

KALAHARI

PATAGONIAN

SAHARA

MOJAVE

SONORA

CHIHUAHUA

PENINSULAS

ARABIAN

BALKAN

CRIMEAN

FLORIDA

IBERIAN

KOREAN

ITALIAN

INDOCHINA

INDIAN

SCANDINAVIAN

YUCATAN

BAJA CALIFORNIA

LABRADOR

PALMER (ANTARCTIC)

NORTH AMERICAN FEATURES

PHYSICAL FEATURES

SIERRA NEVADA

SIERRA MADRE ORIENTAL

SIERRA MADRE OCCIDENTAL

APPALACHIAN MTS

ALASKA RANGE BROOKS RANGE

OZARK PLATEAU

BAFFIN ISLAND

VANCOUVER ISLAND

LONG ISLAND

NEWFOUNDLAND

GULF OF ST.LAWRENCE

PUGET SOUND

JAMES BAY

CAPE HATTERAS

SAN FRANCISCO BAY

TAMPA BAY

CHESAPEAKE BAY

DELAWARE BAY

LONG ISLAND SOUND

GRAND CANYON

LAKE WINNEPEG

LAKE SUPERIOR

LAKE MICHIGAN

LAKE HURON

LAKE ERIE

LAKE ONTARIO

GREAT SALT LAKE

LAKE OKEECHOBEE

COLUMBIA-SNAKE RVR

YUKON RIVER

FRASER RIVER

COLORADO RIVER (W)

COLORADO RIVER(TX)

MISSISSIPPI RVR

MISSOURI RIVER

ARKANSAS RIVER

OHIO RIVER

TENNESSEE RIVER

JAMES RIVER

POTOMAC RIVER

RIO GRANDE RIVER

RED RIVER(N & S)

BRAZOS RIVER

CANADIAN PROVINCES

PRICE EDWARD ISLAND

NOVA SCOTIA

NEW BRUNSWICK

NEWFOUNDLAND

QUEBEC

ONTARIO

MANITOBA

SASKATCHEWAN

ALBERTA

BRITISH COLUMBIA

CANADIAN TERRITORIES

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

YUKON

UNITED STATES

KNOW ALL FIFTY STATES AND THE STATE CAPITAL OF EACH!

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

MAJOR CITIES:

NEW YORK CITY

CHICAGO

LOS ANGELES

SAN FRANCISCO

SEATTLE

DALLAS/FORT WORTH

MIAMI

BOSTON

WASHINGTON DC

HOUSTON

ST LOUIS

NEW ORLEANS

MINNEAPOLIS

DENVER

MEMPHIS

ATLANTA

MIAMI

DETROIT

MEXICO

KNOW THAT IT CONSISTS OF 31 STATES AND FEDERAL DISTRICT OF MEXICO CITY

KNOW LOCATIONS OF THE U.S./MEXICO BORDER STATES:

SONORA

CHIHUAHUA

COAHUILA

NUEVO LEON

TAMAULIPAS

OTHER REGIONS

CENTRAL AMERICAN REGION

BELIZE

GUATEMALA

EL SALVADOR

HONDURAS

NICARAGUA

COSTA RICA

PANAMA

CARIBBEAN REGION

PUERTO RICO

U.S VIRGIN ISLANDS

CUBA

HAITI

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

JAMAICA

SOUTH AMERICAN REGION

COLOMBIA

VENEZUELA

GUYANA

SURINAME

FRENCH GUIANA

ECUADOR

PERU

BRAZIL

BOLIVIA

CHILE

PARAGUAY

ARGENTINA

URUGUAY

UNITED KINGDOM

ENGLAND

WALES

SCOTLAND

NORTHERN IRELAND

EUROPEAN REGION

FINLAND

SWEDEN

NORWAY

DENMARK

ICELAND

IRISH REPUBLIC

FRANCE

GERMANY

BELGIUM

THE NETHERLANDS

LUXEMBOURG

SWITZERLAND

AUSTRIA

SPAIN

PORTUGAL

ITALY

GREECE

MALTA

EUROPEAN TURKEY

POLAND

HUNGARY

CZECH REPUBLIC

ROMANIA

BULGARIA

FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

CROATIA

SERBIA

MONTENEGRO

BOSNIA

HERZEGOVINA

ALBANIA

SLOVAKIA

SOUTHWESTERN ASIA

TURKEY

SYRIA

LEBANON

JORDAN

SAUDI ARABIA

YEMEN

OMAN

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

QATAR

BAHRAIN

KUWAIT

IRAQ

ISRAEL

IRAN

AFGHANISTAN

SOUTHERN ASIA

PAKISTAN

INDIA

BANGLADESH

SRI LANKA

MYANMAR/BURMA

NEPAL

BHUTAN

SOUTHEASTERN ASIA

THAILAND

LAOS

VIETNAM

CAMBODIA

MALAYSIA

BRUNEI

INDONESIA

PHILIPPINES

EAST AND INTERIOR ASIA

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (MAINLAND)

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF MONGOLIA

DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA (NORTH KOREA)

REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA)

NORTHERN AFRICA

MOROCCO

ALGERIA

TUNISIA

LIBYA

EGYPT

SAHARAN AFRICA

MAURITANIA

MALI

NIGER

CHAD

SUDAN

WESTERN AFRICA

GAMBIA

SENEGAL

GUINEA

GUINEA-BISSAU

LIBERIA

IVORY COAST (COTE D’IVOIRE)

GHANA

BURKINA FASO

TOGO

BENIN

NIGERIA

CAMEROON

SIERRA LEONE

EQUATORIAL/CENTRAL AFRICA

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

GABON

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (ZAIRE)

CONGO REPUBLIC

EASTERN AFRICA

ETHIOPIA

SOMALIA

KENYA

UGANDA

RWANDA

BURUNDI

TANZANIA

DJIBOUTI

ERITREA

SOUTHERN AFRICA

ANGOLA

ZAMBIA

MALAWI

BOTSWANA

ZIMBABWE

MOZAMBIQUE

SWAZILAND

LESOTHO

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

NAMIBIA

FORMER U.S.S.R

RUSSIA

UKRAINE

ARMENIA

AZERBAIJAN

BELARUS

GEORGIA

KAZAKHSTAN

KYRGYZSTAN

MOLDAVIA

TADZHIKISTAN

TURKMENISTAN

UZBEKISTAN

ESTONIA

LATVIA

LITHUANIA

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL DISTRICT

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NORTHERN TERRITORY

QUEENSLAND

NEW SOUTH WALES

VICTORIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

TASMANIA

OCEANIA

POLYNESIA (AREA INSIDE A TRIANGULAR LINE THAT CONNECTS HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

EASTER ISLAND AND NEW ZEALAND - MEANS "MANY ISLANDS."

MICRONESIA (NORTH & WEST OF POLYNESIA - MEANS "SMALL ISLANDS."

MELANESIA (NARROW AREA WEST OF POLYNESIA - MEANS "BLACK ISLANDS," WHICH MAINLY REFERS TO THE COLOR OF THE INHABITANTS OF THESE ISLANDS)

GLOBAL SCALE FEATURES
EQUATOR TROPIC OF CANCER TROPIC OF CAPRICORN ARCTIC CIRCLE ANTARCTIC CIRCLE NORTH POLE SOUTH POLE PRIME MERIDIAN INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE
CONTINENTS
EUROPE AFRICA NORTH AMERICA SOUTH AMERICA ASIA ANTARCTICA AUSTRALIA
OCEANS
ATLANTIC PACIFIC INDIAN ARCTIC
SEAS, BAYS, GULFS, STRAITS, CHANNELS, PASSAGES, CANALS, ETC
MEDITERRANEAN SEA STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR DARDANELLES BLACK SEA SUEZ CANAL RED SEA ARABIAN SEA PERSIAN/ARABIAN GULF BAY OF BENGAL SOUTH CHINA SEA GULF OF ALASKA HUDSON BAY GULF OF MEXICO CARIBBEAN SEA PANAMA CANAL STRAIT OF FLORIDA WINDWARD PASSAGE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN DRAKE PASSAGE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE CAPE HORN NORTH SEA YUCATAN CHANNEL BERING SEA STRAIT OF HORMUZ PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
MAJOR ISLANDS AND ISLAND GROUPS
GREENLAND ICELAND GREATER ANTILLES LESSER ANTILLES BRITISH ISLES MADAGASCAR CYPRUS SICILY BORNEO NEW GUINEA TAIWAN JAPAN ALEUTIAN ISLANDS HAWAIIAN ISLANDS NEW ZEALAND AZORES CANARY ISLANDS BAHAMA ISLANDS BERMUDA TRINIDAD WINDWARD ISLANDS PHILIPPINES SEYCHELLES
OCEAN CURRENTS
NORTH EQUATORIAL CURRENT EQUATORIAL COUNTER CURRENT SOUTH EQUATORIAL CURRENT GULF STREAM LABRADOR CURRENT CANARY CURRENT EAST BRAZIL CURRENT JAPAN (KUROSHIO) CURRENT CALIFORNIA CURRENT ALASKA CURRENT PERU (HUMBOLDT) CURRENT EAST AUSTRALIAN CURRENT
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES, PLATEAUS AND BASINS
ALPS ANDES MTS ATLAS MTS BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS ARABIAN PLATEAU HIMALAYAS HINDU KUSH MTS ROCKY MTS URAL MTS CONGO BASIN GREAT BASIN AMAZON BASIN IRANIAN PLATEAU
DESERTS
ATACAMA AUSTRALIAN GOBI KALAHARI PATAGONIAN SAHARA MOJAVE SONORA CHIHUAHUA
PENINSULAS
ARABIAN BALKAN CRIMEAN FLORIDA IBERIAN KOREAN ITALIAN INDOCHINA INDIAN SCANDINAVIAN YUCATAN BAJA CALIFORNIA LABRADOR PALMER (ANTARCTIC)
NORTH AMERICAN FEATURES
PHYSICAL FEATURES
SIERRA NEVADA SIERRA MADRE ORIENTAL SIERRA MADRE OCCIDENTAL APPALACHIAN MTS ALASKA RANGE BROOKS RANGE OZARK PLATEAU BAFFIN ISLAND VANCOUVER ISLAND LONG ISLAND NEWFOUNDLAND GULF OF ST.LAWRENCE PUGET SOUND JAMES BAY CAPE HATTERAS SAN FRANCISCO BAY TAMPA BAY CHESAPEAKE BAY DELAWARE BAY LONG ISLAND SOUND GRAND CANYON LAKE WINNEPEG LAKE SUPERIOR LAKE MICHIGAN LAKE HURON LAKE ERIE LAKE ONTARIO GREAT SALT LAKE LAKE OKEECHOBEE COLUMBIA-SNAKE RVR YUKON RIVER FRASER RIVER COLORADO RIVER (W) COLORADO RIVER(TX) MISSISSIPPI RVR MISSOURI RIVER ARKANSAS RIVER OHIO RIVER TENNESSEE RIVER JAMES RIVER POTOMAC RIVER RIO GRANDE RIVER RED RIVER(N & S) BRAZOS RIVER
CANADIAN PROVINCES
PRICE EDWARD ISLAND NOVA SCOTIA NEW BRUNSWICK NEWFOUNDLAND QUEBEC ONTARIO MANITOBA SASKATCHEWAN ALBERTA BRITISH COLUMBIA
CANADIAN TERRITORIES
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES YUKON
UNITED STATES
KNOW ALL FIFTY STATES AND THE STATE CAPITAL OF EACH! DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MAJOR CITIES: NEW YORK CITY CHICAGO LOS ANGELES SAN FRANCISCO SEATTLE DALLAS/FORT WORTH MIAMI BOSTON WASHINGTON DC HOUSTON ST LOUIS NEW ORLEANS MINNEAPOLIS DENVER MEMPHIS ATLANTA MIAMI DETROIT
MEXICO
KNOW THAT IT CONSISTS OF 31 STATES AND FEDERAL DISTRICT OF MEXICO CITY KNOW LOCATIONS OF THE U.S./MEXICO BORDER STATES: SONORA CHIHUAHUA COAHUILA NUEVO LEON TAMAULIPAS
OTHER REGIONS
CENTRAL AMERICAN REGION
BELIZE GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA
CARIBBEAN REGION
PUERTO RICO U.S VIRGIN ISLANDS CUBA HAITI DOMINICAN REPUBLIC JAMAICA
SOUTH AMERICAN REGION
COLOMBIA VENEZUELA GUYANA SURINAME FRENCH GUIANA ECUADOR PERU BRAZIL BOLIVIA CHILE PARAGUAY ARGENTINA URUGUAY
UNITED KINGDOM
ENGLAND WALES SCOTLAND NORTHERN IRELAND
EUROPEAN REGION
FINLAND SWEDEN NORWAY DENMARK ICELAND IRISH REPUBLIC FRANCE GERMANY BELGIUM THE NETHERLANDS LUXEMBOURG SWITZERLAND AUSTRIA SPAIN PORTUGAL ITALY GREECE MALTA EUROPEAN TURKEY POLAND HUNGARY CZECH REPUBLIC ROMANIA BULGARIA FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA CROATIA SERBIA MONTENEGRO BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA ALBANIA SLOVAKIA
SOUTHWESTERN ASIA
TURKEY SYRIA LEBANON JORDAN SAUDI ARABIA YEMEN OMAN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES QATAR BAHRAIN KUWAIT IRAQ ISRAEL IRAN AFGHANISTAN
SOUTHERN ASIA
PAKISTAN INDIA BANGLADESH SRI LANKA MYANMAR/BURMA NEPAL BHUTAN
SOUTHEASTERN ASIA
THAILAND LAOS VIETNAM CAMBODIA MALAYSIA BRUNEI INDONESIA PHILIPPINES
EAST AND INTERIOR ASIA
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (MAINLAND) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF MONGOLIA DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA (NORTH KOREA) REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA)
NORTHERN AFRICA
MOROCCO ALGERIA TUNISIA LIBYA EGYPT
SAHARAN AFRICA
MAURITANIA MALI NIGER CHAD SUDAN
WESTERN AFRICA
GAMBIA SENEGAL GUINEA GUINEA-BISSAU LIBERIA IVORY COAST (COTE D’IVOIRE) GHANA BURKINA FASO TOGO BENIN NIGERIA CAMEROON SIERRA LEONE
EQUATORIAL/CENTRAL AFRICA
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC EQUATORIAL GUINEA GABON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (ZAIRE) CONGO REPUBLIC
EASTERN AFRICA
ETHIOPIA SOMALIA KENYA UGANDA RWANDA BURUNDI TANZANIA DJIBOUTI ERITREA
SOUTHERN AFRICA
ANGOLA ZAMBIA MALAWI BOTSWANA ZIMBABWE MOZAMBIQUE SWAZILAND LESOTHO REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA NAMIBIA
FORMER U.S.S.R
RUSSIA UKRAINE ARMENIA AZERBAIJAN BELARUS GEORGIA KAZAKHSTAN KYRGYZSTAN MOLDAVIA TADZHIKISTAN TURKMENISTAN UZBEKISTAN ESTONIA LATVIA LITHUANIA
AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL DISTRICT WESTERN AUSTRALIA NORTHERN TERRITORY QUEENSLAND NEW SOUTH WALES VICTORIA SOUTH AUSTRALIA TASMANIA
OCEANIA
POLYNESIA (AREA INSIDE A TRIANGULAR LINE THAT CONNECTS HAWAIIAN ISLANDS EASTER ISLAND AND NEW ZEALAND - MEANS "MANY ISLANDS." MICRONESIA (NORTH & WEST OF POLYNESIA - MEANS "SMALL ISLANDS." MELANESIA (NARROW AREA WEST OF POLYNESIA - MEANS "BLACK ISLANDS," WHICH MAINLY REFERS TO THE COLOR OF THE INHABITANTS OF THESE ISLANDS)

Last updated 07/01/2009 tmk