MAJOR LANDFORMS

Four major types:

* plains
* plateaus
* hills
* mountains

I. Plains
A. Usually smooth or slightly rolling
1. less than 500 feet
B. 55% of earth’s land surface is plains
C. Plains divided into two groups
1. coastal plains- border the sea
2. interior plains- located in the interior
D. Rivers responsible for the formation of plains by:
1. erosion- wearing away of the land
2. deposition- building up of the land
E. Home to world’s great farming regions
F. Home to 90% of earth’s population
G. Oil is the most important product obtained from the rocks
formations of the plains

II. Plateaus
A. Similar to plains, but occur at higher elevations and bordered
on one or more sides by bluffs
B. Average elevation of 2000 feet
C. Classified according to geographical position
1. intermontane- between mountains
2. piedmont- at the foot of mountains
3. continental- tablelands
D. Most have arid or semiarid cold climates
E. Most common use is for livestock raising
F. Mining is also an important activity
III. Hills
A. over 500 feet but less than 2000 feet
B. Habitability less than plains, greater than mountains
C. Climate cooler than surrounding plains
D. Carrying farming from plains to hills resulted in severe
erosion
E. Rich in mineral wealth- esp. coal

IV. Mountains
A. Highest elev.- over 2000 feet
B. Most great mt. Ranges formed near the borders of continents
parallel to oceans
C. Cooler than nearby lowlands- temps. Decrease at the rate of
1° every 300 feet
D. Can affect rainfall
1. windward- rainy side
2. leeward- rain-shadow side

E. Least habitable
F. Econ. Activity- grazing of animals
1. transhumance- seasonal movement of flocks or herds

G. Farming made possible in some areas where terraces have

been built
H. Rich in minerals
I. Natural forest preserve