A mangrove is a shrub or small tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water. There are about 110 mangrove species. Botanists believe that mangroves originated in Southeast Asia, but ocean currents have since dispersed them to India, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. Mangroves are remarkably tough. Most live on muddy soil, but some … Read more
An atoll is a ring-shaped reef of coral enclosing a shallow lagoon. Oftentimes, atolls are uninhabited desert islands relatively untouched and unexplored by humans, although some grow beyond short reef formations, forming substantial landmass. It begins as a reef surrounding a slowly subsiding island, usually volcanic. As the island sinks, the coral continues to grow … Read more
A park is a large public garden or area of land used for recreation. Parks may consist of grassy areas, rocks, soil and trees, but may also contain buildings and other artifacts such as monuments, fountains or playground structures. Urban parks also known as a municipal park are green spaces set aside for recreation inside towns and … Read more
An island is a land mass smaller than a continent and is completely surrounded by water. Islands may occur in oceans, seas, lakes, or rivers. There are two main types of islands in the sea: continental and oceanic. There are also artificial islands, which are man-made. Oceanic islands are those that rise to the surface … Read more
A leaf is one of the expanded, usually green organs borne by the stem of a plant. Leaves are the most important organs of most vascular plants. They are usually borne above ground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves manufacture food for plants, which in turn ultimately nourish and sustain all land animals. They are mostly … Read more
A vine is a plant whose stem requires support and that climbs by tendrils or twining or creeps along the ground, or the stem of such a plant. The word “vine” comes from the Old French word ‘vigne’ meaning ‘vine’ or ‘vineyard’. It first appeared in English in the 1300s, and by the late 14th … Read more
A plateau also called a high plain or a tableland, is an area of a highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain, that is raised significantly above the surrounding area. It is one of the four major landforms alongside plains, mountains, and hills. There are two types of plateaus depending on their mode of formation … Read more
A steppe is an ecoregion characterized by grassland plains without trees apart from those near rivers and lakes. It may be semi-arid or covered with grass or with shrubs or with both, depending on the season and latitude. The word “steppe” is originally Russian, and it is in Russia, Ukraine, and Kazahstan where most steppes are … Read more
A valley is a low area between hills or mountains. The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys. Most valleys belong to one of these two main types or a mixture of them, at least with respect to the cross section of the slopes or hillsides. A … Read more