Archipelago (Archipel) (AR-ki-PEL-uh-goh)
A group or chain of islands.
The Greek islands form a beautiful archipelago in the Aegean Sea.

Estuary (Éstuaire) (ES-choo-er-ee)
The tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream.
Many important port cities are located at the estuary of major rivers.

Atoll (Atoll) (A-tol)
A ring-shaped reef, island, or chain of islands formed of coral.
The Maldives are famous for their stunning atolls.

Tundra (Toundra) (TUN-druh)
A vast, flat, treeless Arctic region of Europe, Asia, and North America in which the subsoil is permanently frozen.
The harsh conditions of the tundra limit the types of vegetation that can grow there.

Isthmus (Isthme) (IS-muhs)
A narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link between two larger areas of land.
The Isthmus of Panama connects North and South America.

Fjord (Fjord) (fyord)
A long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs, typically formed by submergence of a glaciated valley.
The fjords of Norway are renowned for their dramatic scenery.

Savanna (Savane) (suh-VAN-uh)
A grassy plain in tropical and subtropical regions, with few trees.
African safaris often take place in the savanna, where diverse wildlife can be observed.

Delta (Delta) (DEL-tuh)
A triangular tract of sediment deposited at the mouth of a river, typically where it diverges into several outlets.
The Nile Delta is a fertile agricultural region.

Peninsula (Péninsule) (puh-NIN-suh-luh)
A piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of water.
Italy is located on a large peninsula in Southern Europe.

Canyon (Canyon) (KAN-yuhn)
A deep, narrow gorge with steep, rocky sides, especially one formed by a river.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular canyons in the world.

Aurora Borealis (Aurore boréale) (uh-ROR-uh bor-ee-AL-is)
A natural light display in the sky, predominantly seen in the high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic).
Witnessing the aurora borealis was an unforgettable experience.

Monsoon (Mousson) (mon-SOON)
A seasonal prevailing wind in the region of South and Southeast Asia, blowing from the southwest between May and September and bringing heavy rain (the wet monsoon), or from the northeast between October and April (the dry monsoon).
The rice harvest depends heavily on the arrival of the monsoon rains.

Tsunami (Tsunami) (tsoo-NAH-mee)
A long high sea wave caused by an earthquake, submarine landslide, or other disturbance.
The coastal town was devastated by the powerful tsunami.

Volcanic Eruption (Éruption volcanique) (vol-KAN-ik i-RUP-shuhn)
The sudden occurrence of a violent discharge of steam and volcanic material.
The volcanic eruption forced the evacuation of nearby villages.

Hurricane (Ouragan) (HUR-i-kayn)
A storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean.
The hurricane caused widespread flooding and damage.

Tornado (Tornade) (tor-NAY-doh)
A mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud and advancing beneath a large storm system.
Tornadoes are a common occurrence in the American Midwest.

Glacial Retreat (Retrait glaciaire) (GLAY-shuhl ri-TREET)
The shrinking of glaciers over time.
Glacial retreat is a significant indicator of climate change.

El Niño (El Niño) (el NEEN-yoh)
An irregularly occurring and complex series of climatic changes affecting the equatorial Pacific region and beyond, characterized by the appearance of unusually warm, nutrient-poor water off northern Peru and Ecuador, typically in late December.
El Niño events can have a significant impact on global weather patterns.

Earthquake (Tremblement de terre) (URTH-quake)
A sudden and violent shaking of the ground, sometimes causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action.
The earthquake caused buildings to collapse and triggered landslides.

Drought (Sécheresse) (drout)
A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.
The severe drought has led to widespread crop failures.

Continental Drift (Dérive des continents) (kon-ti-NEN-tuhl drift)
The gradual movement of the continents across the earth's surface through geological time.
The theory of continental drift explains the similarities in fossils found on different continents.

Plate Tectonics (Tectonique des plaques) (plate tek-TON-iks)
A theory explaining the structure of the earth's crust and many associated phenomena as resulting from the interaction of rigid lithospheric plates that move slowly over the underlying mantle.
Earthquakes and volcanoes are often found at the boundaries of tectonic plates.

Hydrological Cycle (Cycle hydrologique) (hy-druh-LOJ-i-kuhl SYE-kuhl)
The continuous circulation of water between the earth's oceans, atmosphere, and land.
The hydrological cycle is essential for all life on Earth.

Biogeography (Biogéographie) (bye-oh-jee-OG-ruh-fee)
The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.
Biogeography helps us understand why certain plants and animals are found in specific regions.

Demographics (Démographie) (dem-uh-GRAF-iks)
Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.
Changes in demographics can have significant social and economic impacts.

Cartography (Cartographie) (kar-TOG-ruh-fee)
The science or art of drawing maps.
Advancements in cartography have greatly improved our understanding of the world.

Globalization (Mondialisation) (gloh-buh-li-ZAY-shuhn)
The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of countries through the exchange of goods, services, information, and ideas.
Globalization has had a profound effect on economies and cultures worldwide.

Sustainability (Durabilité) (suh-steyn-uh-BIL-i-tee)
The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
Environmental sustainability is a critical issue in modern geography.

Urbanization (Urbanisation) (ur-buh-nuh-ZAY-shuhn)
The process of making an area more urban.
Rapid urbanization is a major trend in many parts of the world.

Topography (Topographie) (tuh-POG-ruh-fee)
The arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area.
The topography of the region is characterized by rolling hills and deep valleys.