Questions tagged [geography]
Questions related to geography.
93
questions
1
vote
2
answers
54
views
Word for a book that functions as a non-travel guide to a country, like "Biography" or "Hagiography" perhaps - but for a nation
So I'm not looking at an Atlas or a Compendium or a Travel Guide - I'm picturing those children's books (though doesn't need to be children's) just titled things like "Nigeria" or "...
- 31
7
votes
3
answers
620
views
Can someone explain the geographical name "Switch"?
It generally used as a town name such as "Lyons Switch, OK" or "Bridges Switch, CO". I've seen it used many times over the years and never gave it much thought but recently became ...
- 71
0
votes
1
answer
39
views
Naming the extents of a piece of Earth [closed]
To a first approximation, Norway would fit in a bounding box of 500x1600x3 km, where 500 km is east-west, 1600 is north-south, and 3 km is up-down. What do you call the extents in each of these ...
- 147
5
votes
1
answer
9k
views
What's the meaning of "this side of Albania"?
In this diary excerpt, Alan Rickman wrote:
"Emma [Watson]’s diction is this side of Albania at times."
I understand the general meaning of the idiom (What is the meaning of the phrase "...
- 153
1
vote
2
answers
68
views
Is the word "upstate" used to refer to anywhere outside New York?
Merriam defines it generically as:
the chiefly northerly sections of a state
But in their examples, every single one can be traced back to New York. For example:
By 2017, Lopez, after earning her ...
- 749
0
votes
2
answers
36
views
Terms for aerial versus ground surface area
Are there accepted area terms that concisely distinguish aerial area (e.g., from a Google Earth satellite photo) from ground surface area? (For sloped ground, the ground surface area is larger than ...
- 139
1
vote
2
answers
129
views
What is a vertical panorama called?
A mountain “viewpoint” is a great place to get a panoramic view of a region: you can generally take in a huge area [panorama] from left to right.
I was wondering what term or phrase describes a ...
- 77
-2
votes
1
answer
58
views
When and why did English change Affrick and Asie to Africa and Asia? [closed]
English names for continents all end in Latin suffix -a / -ia, except Europe.
Africa, America, Antarctica, Asia, Australia
Since English language used to take much of its vocabulary from French during ...
- 325
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
Word Order with Geographical Places [duplicate]
I can't find a general textbook or a thread on internet with grammar rules for word order regarding the names of Geographical places, for example:
Mount Everest vs Rocky Mount
River Nile vs Colorado ...
1
vote
2
answers
105
views
Why do we say latitude and longitude instead of longitude and latitude? [closed]
Latitude measures degree from the equator and longitude measures the degree from the prime meridian, each corresponding to the x-axis and y-axis of the world. However, normally when we are talking ...
- 92
6
votes
2
answers
401
views
What is the English word for "rinconada"
In general a "rinconada" is an incoming angle formed at the intersection of two houses, two streets, or two roads.
In geography a "rinconada" is the land between two mountain ...
- 165
0
votes
1
answer
31
views
When referring to an event held in a country whose name has changed, should you use the new or old name
If I'm referring to an event that took place in Yakutsk in 1960, should I refer to Yakutsk, USSR, or Yakutsk, Russia?
- 123
1
vote
0
answers
54
views
Northwest vs Northwestern [duplicate]
At its height, The Almohad Caliphate controlled much of the Iberian
Peninsula and Northwest Africa.
or
At its height, The Almohad Caliphate controlled much of the Iberian
Peninsula and Northwestern ...
- 11
1
vote
0
answers
51
views
Naming advice for a start-up [closed]
I'm preparing to open up a start-up. Because of some personal reasons, I'd like to name it after the small town in China I was born in. It's named 下关 (dry translate to down-gate or down-fort).
That ...
- 119
21
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Countries ending with -Y vs. -IA: What is the pattern?
I wonder why some country names in English are suffixed with -y (Lombardy, Italy, Hungary, Saxony, Sicily) and some with -ia (Bulgaria, Austria, Bavaria, Sardinia).
I understand the etymology:
"-...
- 325
0
votes
1
answer
281
views
Why 'The' always comes in front of 'The United Kingdom' but the same does not always apply to 'Great Britain'? [duplicate]
Why 'The' always comes in front of 'The United Kingdom' but the same does not always apply to 'Great Britain'?
- 1
-1
votes
1
answer
780
views
Is there an etymological relation between Albania the country and St Albans, the city in Hertfordshire, England? [closed]
Is there an etymological relation?
(some more words to keep validator happy)
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
105
views
Word for geopolitical division of the world
In Norwegian, we have two words: "verdensdel" and "kontinent". The former is a word that describes a geopolitical division of the world, "verdens" = "world's" ; ...
- 2,097
0
votes
1
answer
255
views
What do we call a place, which is a plane land just beneath a mountain range?
I want to describe about a village. It is not a mountain village. It is located just at the border from where hills started to rise.
- 29
1
vote
0
answers
108
views
Why do 120 or so geographical region names end in a and ia?
The web contains lengthy lists one with about 120 names of major geographical regions that end in a and ia. Is there any merit to the idea that this might go back to the Hebrew words raqa and raqia? (...
- 19
3
votes
1
answer
197
views
Does the word relitigate imply legal proceedings?
I understand the word, "litigate" to indicate some kind of legal action. However, I have recently come across the word "re-litigate" in a context that implies a difference of opinion that has not (yet?...
- 601
3
votes
1
answer
370
views
What is the geographic term for a landmass separated by two rivers?
If there is a region of land that sort of makes an island with the two rivers (which are fare apart). What would you call it.
For Example there is a region in Iraq/Syria that almost forms this (the ...
- 31
2
votes
1
answer
58
views
A geography word [closed]
What is the word for the point when a river leaves a mountain to flow out onto a plain or such?
0
votes
1
answer
414
views
Pronunciations of the geographical name 'Orion' [closed]
Which (3) ways is Orion pronounced as relative to (3) meanings, Orion Township, Lake Orion (Lake), and Lake Orion (town)?
1
vote
0
answers
73
views
'Czech'/'Swiss' to refer to the country?
An increasing number of my friends in India and the United Kingdom use 'Czech' to refer to the Czech Republic (and a smaller number do the same with saying 'Swiss' for Switzerland). When politely ...
- 11
1
vote
2
answers
4k
views
What are analogous words to "occidental" and "oriental" for southern and northern? [duplicate]
Definitions
Occidental: "1: relating to the countries of the West"
Oriental: "1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Orient, or East; Eastern."
So, occidental is effectively a word that is a ...
- 220
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What does "water rich area" mean?
I am unsure how to specifically define a water-rich area. I assume that it is an area of water surplus but I am led to believe it has a more specific definition for I have been asked it as a separate ...
- 173
2
votes
1
answer
236
views
A proper universal name for any city or town, regardless of its size [duplicate]
I'm facing a pressing issue with choosing a proper way to call a place (city, town), regardless of its size.
1) Has to describe places of any size (from pop. 5 to 5 mil.)
2) Must describe any ...
- 37
0
votes
0
answers
15
views
Guiding tables below the maps and color-coded tables in English [duplicate]
Usually, there is a guiding table below the maps and color-coded tables, to help reader what is the meaning of each color or element. What is that table called in English?
- 109
0
votes
1
answer
234
views
Northwest Territories and Papal States
The Northwest Territories of Canada are only one territory, and the Papal States in Italy consisted of only one state. Why is the plural used? (In Italian, one says "Stato Pontificio", which is ...
- 2,356
3
votes
2
answers
5k
views
The Southern US, or the southern US? [duplicate]
To my understanding, specific geographic regions are always capitalized.
For example, Southern US is proper because it is a specific region.
However, a co-author argues that southern should not be ...
- 162
0
votes
1
answer
455
views
Terms for different types of soil (pictures included)
As a non-native speaker, I'm struggling to describe environments comprehensibly and detailedly.
The following picture shows typical ground in a forest, and I would most likely call it earth or soil.
...
- 1,917
2
votes
1
answer
177
views
Why is the phrase "coal country" uncountable in this sentence? Does it mean a particular region?
Why is the phrase "coal country" uncountable in this sentence? Does it mean a particular region?
Were he frustrated in Congress, the president would surely fall back on areas where he has a free ...
- 467
1
vote
2
answers
898
views
Etymology of "Dubai"
I need to etymologize the city name Dubai (United Arab Emirates) for a project. Etymonline only lists the origins as "uncertain" and Wiktionary traces it to دُبَيّ, the Arabic term for it (pronounced ...
- 1,013
-1
votes
1
answer
125
views
Wallonia or Walloon Region? [duplicate]
What is the preferred way to refer to la Wallonie in English -- Wallonia or Walloon Region?
3
votes
3
answers
335
views
The grammatical number of "Newfoundland and Labrador"
Some of the confusion among the posted answers causes me to add this prefatory note: There is one province called Newfoundland and Labrador. There is no province called Newfoundland and there is no ...
- 2,356
5
votes
1
answer
432
views
Etymology of "Djibouti"
The country name Djibouti has no etymology listed on both Etymonline and Wiktionary. I do know that's it named after the city for sure, but where did that come from?
I tried to research it, but all I ...
- 1,013
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Capitalising names of geographical/tourist terms
I'm translating a series of short tourism-related texts from Croatian to English and I can't find definitive answers for some of my dilemmas:
Names of waterfalls / caves / trails & word order
...
- 43
4
votes
5
answers
6k
views
A word to describe the point of land at the confluence of two rivers?
I'm seeking a word that best describes the point of land created by the confluence of two rivers. The parcel of land in question would be situated in between the two rivers as their flow combined to ...
- 49
2
votes
4
answers
901
views
Is there a word for a road or river that runs almost "vertical" in the map?
Is there an adjective to describe a road or a river whose orientation is nearly north to south (e.g. looks vertical in the map)? An example sentence would be, "the [word] highway between Foopolis and ...
- 239
4
votes
2
answers
539
views
Name for the peak of a plateau
The highest point; the flatland.
Ex: Summit is to mountain/hill as _____ is to plateau.
Would summit just be acceptable in itself?
- 81
7
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Word for crossing the bottom of a valley
To refer to the highest point on a hill, one might use the word "crest":
He walked up to the crest of the hill, and surveyed his surroundings.
On the other hand, one might also use "crest" as a ...
- 173
3
votes
1
answer
222
views
Term for derogatory suffix used with city names?
When speaking of a city in negative terms one might attach a prefix/suffix to the city name. This nickname is a portmanteau that implies a derogatory tone. Most often this will be a negative term but ...
- 133
1
vote
2
answers
6k
views
Another word for a single line of trees on a hilltop, as seen from a distance
There's definitely a single word that is used to describe, when seen from a distance, a single row of trees on a hilltop. I searched quite a bit but am unable to find the word.
- 117
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How do you write "deep south"?
How does one write "deep south?" It is a proper noun so I believe South is capitalized but what about d/Deep ?
- 133
-1
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What do you call someone from the Americas if not American? [closed]
Someone from Europe is European.
Someone from Africa is African.
Someone from Asia is Asian.
Someone from Oceania is presumably Oceanic.
But you can't call a person from the Americas an American due ...
- 171
7
votes
4
answers
236
views
Is there a process name for an island becoming unisolated?
I previously asked this on the history stack exchange but unfortunately had no good luck, and I was recommended to give this stack exchange a go, so:
Basically I would like to know if there is an ...
- 397
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
The definite article with geographical terms
I know in English you can use the definite article with geographical expressiones such as the sea, the country, the land, the city, the beach, the seaside, but what about other geographical terms? Can ...
- 824
0
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Should "global south" be capitalized?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North%E2%80%93South_divide
In a context such as,
The harsh realities as the result of the socioeconomic conditions plaguing the global south
Should it be "Global ...
- 83
18
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Why 'prefecture' for Japanese administration areas?
There are many ways of labeling the smaller administrative areas of a country: states. For the US, provinces for Canada, counties for Ireland for English speaking countries, and departments (or ...
- 70.1k