Steppe (Steppe) (step)
A large area of flat unforested grassland in southeastern Europe or Siberia.
The vast steppes of Central Asia are home to nomadic cultures.

Lagoon (Lagon) (luh-GOON)
A stretch of salt water separated from the sea by a low sandbank or coral reef.
The turquoise waters of the lagoon were incredibly inviting.

Glacier (Glacier) (GLAY-sher)
A slowly moving mass or river of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow on mountains or near the poles.
The massive glacier carved deep valleys through the landscape.

Taiga (Taïga) (TY-guh)
The sometimes swampy coniferous forest of high northern latitudes, especially that between the tundra and more temperate forests of Russia and Canada.
The taiga is characterized by its cold climate and evergreen trees.

Plateau (Plateau) (pla-TOH)
An area of relatively level high ground.
The Tibetan Plateau is the largest and highest plateau in the world.

Reef (Récif) (reef)
A ridge of rock or sand at or near the surface of the water.
The Great Barrier Reef is a vibrant ecosystem teeming with marine life.

Volcano (Volcan) (vol-KAY-noh)
A rupture in the crust of a planetary-mass object, such as Earth, that allows hot lava, volcanic ash, and gases to escape from a magma chamber below the surface.
The eruption of the volcano sent ash clouds high into the atmosphere.

Basin (Bassin) (BAY-sin)
A dip or depression in the earth's surface.
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries.

Headland (Promontoire) (HED-land)
A piece of land that projects out into the sea or a large lake; a promontory.
The old lighthouse stood on the rugged headland.

Dune (Dune) (doon)
A mound or ridge of sand or other loose sediment formed by the wind, especially on the sea coast or in a desert.
The Sahara Desert is characterized by its vast, rolling dunes.

Trade Winds (Alizés) (trayd windz)
The prevailing pattern of easterly surface winds found in the tropics, within the lower portion of the Earth's atmosphere, in the lower section of the planet's troposphere near the Earth's Equator.
Historically, trade winds were crucial for sailing ships crossing the oceans.

Tidal Bore (Mascaret) (TY-duhl bor)
A tidal phenomenon in which the leading edge of the incoming tide forms a wave (or waves) of water that travels up a river or narrow bay against the direction of the river or bay's current.
Surfers often seek out tidal bores for a unique riding experience.

Lee Waves (Ondes orographiques) (lee wayvz)
Stationary atmospheric waves, also known as mountain waves, that form when air flows over a mountain range.
Gliders often use lee waves to gain altitude and travel long distances.

Ocean Current (Courant marin) (OH-shuhn KUR-uhnt)
A continuous, directed movement of sea water generated by a number of forces acting upon the water, including wind, the Coriolis effect, temperature and salinity differences, and tides caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.
The Gulf Stream is a powerful ocean current that affects the climate of Europe.

Fog (Brouillard) (fog)
A thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface that obscures or restricts visibility (to a greater extent than mist; strictly, with visibility below 1 km).
A thick fog rolled in off the coast, making driving dangerous.

Blizzard (Blizzard) (BLIZ-erd)
A severe snowstorm with high winds and reduced visibility.
The blizzard brought the city to a standstill with heavy snowfall and strong winds.

Dust Devil (Tourbillon de poussière) (dust DEV-uhl)
A whirlwind of dust or sand, typically occurring in a desert or open country.
A small dust devil swirled across the dry field.

Lightning Storm (Orage éclair) (LYT-ning storm)
A storm with lightning and thunder.
The sudden lightning storm surprised the hikers.

Rainbow (Arc-en-ciel) (RAYN-boh)
A multicolored arc made by light striking water droplets.
A beautiful rainbow appeared after the rain shower.

Mirage (Mirage) (mi-RAHZH)
An optical illusion caused by atmospheric conditions, especially the appearance of a sheet of water in a desert or on a hot road caused by the refraction of light from the sky by heated air.
The thirsty traveler saw a mirage of water in the distance.

Ecosystem (Écosystème) (EE-koh-sis-tuhm)
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
The rainforest is a complex and diverse ecosystem.

Biodiversity (Biodiversité) (bye-oh-di-VUR-si-tee)
The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
Conservation efforts aim to protect biodiversity in endangered regions.

Sustainability (Durabilité) (suh-steyn-uh-BIL-i-tee)
The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Carrying Capacity (Capacité de charge) (KAR-ee-ing kuh-PAS-i-tee)
The maximum population size of a biological species that the environment can sustain indefinitely, given the food, habitat, water, and other necessities available in the environment.
The carrying capacity of the island was exceeded, leading to resource depletion.

Cultural Landscape (Paysage culturel) (KUL-cher-uhl LAND-scape)
A geographic area,including both cultural and natural resources and the wildlife or domestic animals therein, associated with a historic event, activity, or person or exhibiting other cultural or aesthetic values.
The terraced rice paddies are a stunning example of a cultural landscape.

Geopolitical (Géopolitique) (jee-oh-POL-i-ti-kuhl)
Relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
The region's geopolitical significance has increased due to its strategic location.

Watershed (Bassin versant) (WAH-ter-shed)
An area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.
Protecting the watershed is crucial for ensuring clean drinking water.

Megacity (Mégapole) (MEG-uh-sit-ee)
A very large city, typically one with a population of more than ten million people.
Tokyo is a sprawling megacity with a vibrant urban culture.

Resource Depletion (Épuisement des ressources) (REE-sors di-PLEE-shuhn)
The using up of natural resources.
Unsustainable practices can lead to rapid resource depletion.

Climate Zone (Zone climatique) (KLYE-mit zohn)
A region of the world that has a particular type of climate.
The tropical climate zone is characterized by high temperatures and humidity.