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The English vocabulary of geography: elements, phenomena, territories
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The Cambridge Dictionary offers the following definition of the noun geography : the study of the systems and processes involved in the world’s weather, mountains, seas, lakes, etc. and of the ways in which countries and people organize life within an area.
Translation: “The study of the systems and processes involved in the world’s meteorology, mountains, seas, lakes, etc., as well as the ways in which countries and people organize life in a region”.
Thanks to this English-French lexicon sheet, you’ll travel through natural elements, phenomena, tools and geographical areas, and discover some typical expressions related to this science!
Table des matières →
Natural elements
English
French
Audio
canyon
canyon
coast
coast
desert
desert
dune
dune
forest
forest
island
island
lake
lake
mountain
mountain
ocean
ocean
tray
tray
river
river
valley
valley
volcano
volcano
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English geography vocabulary.
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Examples
Example in English
French translation
Audio
The highest mountain in the world is Mount Everest.
The highest mountain in the world is Mount Everest.
The Nile is a long river in Africa.
The Nile is a long African river.
The valley was filled with mist in the morning.
The valley was filled with fog in the morning.
Lake Geneva lies between Switzerland and France.
Lake Geneva lies between Switzerland and France.
The Grand Canyon is in Arizona.
The Grand Canyon is in Arizona.
Sand dunes are common in deserts.
Sand dunes are common in deserts.
Geographical phenomena
English
French
Audio
avalanche
avalanche
blizzard
blizzard
drought
drought
earthquake
earthquake
eclipse
eclipse
eruption
rash
flood
flood
frost
gel
heatwave
heatwave
hurricane
hurricane
landslide
landslide
monsoon
monsoon
tornado
tornado
tsunami
tsunami
Examples
Example in English
French translation
Audio
A tsunami can be triggered by an underwater earthquake.
A tsunami can be triggered by an undersea earthquake.
Many farmers suffer because of the drought.
Many farmers are suffering because of the drought.
The tornado destroyed several houses.
The tornado destroyed several homes.
The volcanic eruption forced the villagers to evacuate.
The volcanic eruption forced villagers to evacuate.
The hurricane hit the coast last night.
The hurricane reached the coast last night.
Monsoon season brings heavy rainfall.
The monsoon season brings heavy rains.
Geographic tools and studies
English
French
Audio
altitude
altitude
cartography
cartography
compass
compass
elevation
elevation
equator
equator
geology
geology
GPS (Global Positioning System)
GPS (Global Positioning System)
hemisphere
hemisphere
latitude
latitude
legend / key
legend
longitude
longitude
map
card
satellite
satellite
scale
scale
topography
topography
Examples
Example in English
French translation
Audio
I use a map to navigate through unfamiliar cities.
I use a map to find my way around unfamiliar cities.
Paris is located at a latitude of approximately 48.9°N.
Paris is located at a latitude of approximately 48.9°N.
The altitude of Denver is around 5,280 feet.
Denver’s altitude is approximately 5,280 feet.
Australia is located in the southern hemisphere.
Australia is located in the southern hemisphere.
Geology is the study of the Earth’s structure.
Geology is the study of the Earth’s structure.
Satellites help in weather forecasting.
Satellites help weather forecasting.
Geographic zones and territories
English
French
Audio
archipelago
archipelago
basin
basin
bay
bay
cape
cape
continent
continent
jungle
jungle
peninsula
peninsula
reef
reef
tundra
tundra
Examples
Example in English
French translation
Audio
Africa is the second largest continent.
Africa is the second largest continent.
The Iberian Peninsula consists of Spain and Portugal.
The Iberian Peninsula comprises Spain and Portugal.
The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia.
The Philippines are an archipelago in Southeast Asia.
Cape Cod is a popular holiday destination in Massachusetts.
Cape Cod is a popular vacation destination in Massachusetts.
San Francisco is located on the eastern side of a bay.
San Francisco is located on the eastern side of a bay.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system.
Geographical idioms
English expression
French equivalent
Audio
a drop in the ocean
a drop in the ocean
across the board
generalized / at all levels
all over the map
everywhere
down to earth
down to earth
lost at sea
missing at sea
off the beaten path
off the beaten track
on top of the world
in seventh heaven
the tip of the iceberg
the tip of the iceberg
to move mountains
moving mountains
uncharted territory
unfamiliar territory
Examples
Example in English
French translation
Audio
We found a little village off the beaten path that was absolutely charming.
We found a small village off the beaten track that was absolutely charming.
Despite his fame, he’s very down to earth.
Despite his fame, he has his feet firmly on the ground.
After hearing the good news, I felt on top of the world.
After hearing the good news, I felt in seventh heaven.
She would move mountains to help her friends.
She would move mountains to help her friends.
The problems we see now are just the tip of the iceberg.
The problems we’re seeing now are just the tip of the iceberg.
The money raised was just a drop in the ocean compared to what was needed.
The money raised was a drop in the ocean compared to what was needed.
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English geography vocabulary.
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