Geography vocabulary in English helps describe the world around us — from mountains and rivers to cities and roads. Whether you’re learning English or brushing up your skills, knowing these words makes it easier to talk about places, nature, travel, and maps.
In this guide, you’ll learn the most important geography terms, grouped into landforms, landscapes, bodies of water, and human-made places. Each word comes with a simple definition and a clear example to help you understand and use it correctly.
What Is Geography Vocabulary?
Geography vocabulary refers to words used to describe the Earth’s physical features and places created or shaped by people. These words are used in school subjects like geography, science, and social studies, but also in everyday English when people talk about locations, nature, or travel.
Some common types of geography vocabulary include:
- Landforms: hill, mountain, volcano, canyon, plateau
- Natural features: forest, desert, jungle, tundra
- Landscapes: farmland, valley, coastline, plain
- Bodies of water: river, bay, pond, waterfall
- Human-made structures: bridge, road, dam, city
Natural Landforms and Features
These are naturally formed features of the Earth’s surface.
Hill – A raised area of land, smaller than a mountain.
Example: They went hiking up the grassy hill.
Mountain – A tall, steep landform rising above the surrounding land.
Example: They could see snow on the mountain peaks.
Volcano – A mountain that can erupt with lava, ash, or gases.
Example: The volcano erupted after years of silence.
Cliff – A high, steep rock face, often by the sea.
Example: The castle stands on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Valley – A low area of land between hills or mountains.
Example: The river flows through the valley.
Desert – A dry, sandy area with very little rain.
Example: Camels can survive for days in the desert.
Canyon – A deep, narrow valley with steep sides.
Example: The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous landforms in the world.
Plateau – A flat, elevated area of land.
Example: The town is located on a wide plateau.
Glacier – A large mass of moving ice.
Example: The glacier slowly moved down the mountain over time.
Tundra – A cold, treeless plain found in Arctic regions.
Example: Only certain animals live in the frozen tundra.
Landscapes and Outdoor Areas
These include wider environments that people experience, visit, or live in.
Forest – An area covered with trees and plants.
Example: Many animals live in the dense forest.
Jungle – A tropical forest with thick trees and plants.
Example: They took a boat trip through the jungle.
Meadow – A flat area with grass and flowers.
Example: Sheep were grazing in the meadow.
Farmland – Land used for growing food and raising animals.
Example: The farmland stretched for miles in every direction.
Park – An open green space, often in towns and cities.
Example: We had lunch at the park under the trees.
Trail / Path – A narrow way through a natural area, for walking or cycling.
Example: The hiking trail goes around the lake.
Plain – A large, flat area of land with few trees.
Example: The plains are ideal for growing crops.
Ridge – A long, narrow hilltop or mountain top.
Example: They walked along the mountain ridge.
Bodies of Water
Water features found in nature or created by humans.
River – A long stream of flowing water.
Example: The Nile River flows through Egypt.
Bay – A body of water partly surrounded by land.
Example: Boats were floating in the bay.
Island – Land completely surrounded by water.
Example: They took a ferry to the island.
Pond – A small, still body of water.
Example: Frogs lived in the pond near the farm.
Dam – A wall that holds back water, often creating a reservoir.
Example: The dam controls flooding in the valley.
Lake – A large area of water surrounded by land.
Example: They went swimming in the lake.
Ocean – The vast body of salt water that covers much of the Earth.
Example: The Pacific Ocean is the largest in the world.
Waterfall – Water that flows over a cliff or steep edge.
Example: Tourists visited the waterfall after heavy rain.
Beach – A sandy or pebbly shore along a body of water.
Example: Children built sandcastles on the beach.
Coast / Coastline – Where land meets the ocean or sea.
Example: The coastline has many beautiful cliffs and bays.
Human-Made and Man-Influenced Places
These are areas built or affected by human activity.
City – A large, developed urban area with many buildings and people.
Example: London is a major European city.
Village – A small group of houses in the countryside.
Example: The village had only one grocery store.
Bridge – A structure used to cross over water or valleys.
Example: Cars lined up on the bridge during rush hour.
Road / Highway – A paved path for vehicles.
Example: The highway connects two major cities.
Dam – A man-made barrier for water storage and control.
Example: The dam generates hydroelectric power.
Wall – A solid structure that divides or protects areas.
Example: The old city wall is a historic site.
Tunnel – An underground passage for vehicles or trains.
Example: The tunnel goes under the mountain.
Building – A structure with a roof and walls.
Example: They built new office buildings downtown.
Factory – A building where goods are manufactured.
Example: The factory is near the river for easy shipping.
Geography Vocabulary Quiz
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
1. A ____ is a tall natural landform often covered in snow.
a) cliff
b) mountain
c) hill
2. A ____ is completely surrounded by water.
a) desert
b) island
c) plain
3. A ____ is a deep valley with steep sides.
a) plateau
b) canyon
c) river
4. The ____ provides water and electricity to the city.
a) dam
b) pond
c) beach
5. People walked along the narrow ____ through the forest.
a) wall
b) ridge
c) trail
6. A ____ is a flat, high area of land.
a) hill
b) plateau
c) coast
7. The boats were floating peacefully in the ____.
a) desert
b) meadow
c) bay
8. A ____ is a cold, treeless area near the Arctic.
a) tundra
b) farmland
c) jungle
9. They crossed the ____ to get to the other side of the river.
a) waterfall
b) bridge
c) valley
10. The ____ flows through several towns before reaching the lake.
a) river
b) tunnel
c) city
Quiz Answers
1) mountain
2) island
3) canyon
4) dam
5) trail
6) plateau
7) bay
8) tundra
9) bridge
10) river
