From space the Earth looks like a watery globe with
several large landmasses.  It spins slowly on its axis.
Continents - major landmasses of the earth.  There are 6 (7)
    Africa
    Antarctica
    Asia         _{(Also known as Eurasia when counted as one)}
    Europe
    Australia
    North America
    South America

The World Ocean
     72% of the Earth's surface is covered by one large body
    of water, The World Ocean.  People have divided it into
    4 oceans: Arctic, Indian, Atlantic, Pacific.

Seas - small parts of oceans mostly surrounded by land.
    For example, the:
    Caribbean Sea
    Mediterranean Sea
    Arabian Sea
    Barents Sea
    Bering Sea
    Black Sea
    Caspian Sea
    Coral Sea
    Japan Sea
    Red Sea

Landforms- are defined by their size, shape, and elevation.
Elevation is the distance above sea level.
    Valley - An area of land lower in elevation than its
        surroundings
    Mountain - An elevated area of land
    Canyon - A valley with very steep walls
    Plateau - A fairly flat area above surrounding land
    Plain -A large, flat area of land, usually without trees

Ocean and Coastal Features - When land and water meet,
    pieces of land and bodies of water take on a variety
    of sizes and shapes.
    Bay - a body of water mostly surrounded by land
        and smaller than a sea or ocean.
    Strait - A narrow passsage of ocean water joining two
        larger bodies of water
    Island - land completely surrounded by water
    Peninsula - a fingerlike projection of land surrounded
        on three sides by water
    Archipelago - A group or chain of islands
    Lagoon - a shallow body of salt water mostly surrounded
        by land

Biomes- Based on vegetation patterns (which are
    caused by differences in rainfall and temperature,)
    scientists have defined six major life zones called
    BIOMES.
        Grassland - Tall grasses, few or no trees
        Rain forest - Thick forest, high rainfall
        Desert - Sparse vegetation, very low rainfall
        Tundra - Low plants, covered by ice and snow
            most of the year
        Coniferous forest (Taiga) - cone-bearing needle
            leaf trees
        Deciduous forest - Broadleaf trees that lose
            leaves in the winter

Our Ocean
Our ocean is, and has always been, an important resource
for people.
It has provided trade routes. 
It has provided food.
It helps to provide oxygen and rain.

The Law of the Sea - Each nation has rights to ocean
    waters near its coast.  The rest of the ocean is free
    for all to use. We try to keep from damaging
    our ocean.