ECS 7th Batey Geography CH. 4

contiguous

areas that are joined together inside a common boundary

megalopolis

pattern of heavy urban settlement over a large area

coral reef

structure at or near the water's surface formed by the skeletons of small sea animals

free enterprise system

economic system in which people start and run businesses with limited government intervention

service industry

business that provides services to people instead of producing goods

navigable

describes a body of water wide and deep enough to allow the passage of ships

landfill

area where trash companies dump the waste they collect

recycling

reusing materials instead of throwing them out

democracy

form of government in which citizens choose the nation's leaders by voting for them

federal republic

government divided between national and state powers

secede

to withdraw from a national government

suburbs

smaller community that surrounds a city

national park

area set aside to protect wilderness and wildlife and for recreation