What are major landforms?

Mountains are natural elevations of the earth's surface that rise more than 2,000 feet (610 meters) above their surrounding terrain. They are formed by tectonic activity, which is the process by which the Earth's crust moves and deforms. Mountains are found on every continent and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The tallest mountains in the world are the Himalayas, which are located in Asia. Mount Everest, the highest peak in the Himalayas, is 29,029 feet (8,848 meters) high.

Hills

Hills are similar to mountains, but they are smaller. They are typically defined as elevations of the earth's surface that rise between 200 and 2,000 feet (61 and 610 meters) above their surrounding terrain. Hills are often found in mountainous areas, but they can also be found in other parts of the world. The highest hill in the world is Mount Kilimanjaro, which is located in Africa. Mount Kilimanjaro is 19,341 feet (5,895 meters) high.

Valleys

Valleys are depressions in the earth's surface that are surrounded by higher land. They are typically formed by rivers, glaciers, or tectonic activity. Valleys come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some valleys are very narrow and steep-sided, while others are wide and gently sloping. The largest valley in the world is the Rift Valley, which is located in Africa. The Rift Valley is over 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometers) long and 100 miles (161 kilometers) wide.

Plateaus

Plateaus are large, elevated areas of land that are relatively flat. They are typically formed by volcanic activity or tectonic uplift. Plateaus come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some plateaus are very high and rugged, while others are low and gently rolling. The largest plateau in the world is the Tibetan Plateau, which is located in Asia. The Tibetan Plateau is over 1.5 million square miles (3.9 million square kilometers) in size and has an average elevation of over 14,000 feet (4,267 meters).

Plains

Plains are large, flat areas of land that are typically located at low elevations. They are often formed by the deposition of sediment by rivers, glaciers, or winds. Plains come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some plains are very flat and featureless, while others are gently rolling or dissected by rivers and valleys. The largest plain in the world is the North European Plain, which is located in Europe. The North European Plain is over 2 million square miles (5.2 million square kilometers) in size and has an average elevation of less than 100 feet (30 meters).

Deserts

Deserts are regions that receive very little precipitation. They are typically characterized by high temperatures, low humidity, and sparse vegetation. Deserts can be found on all continents except Antarctica. The largest desert in the world is the Sahara Desert, which is located in Africa. The Sahara Desert is over 3.6 million square miles (9.4 million square kilometers) in size and receives an average annual precipitation of less than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters).

Rainforests

Rainforests are dense, tropical forests that receive a lot of precipitation. They are typically characterized by high temperatures, high humidity, and lush vegetation. Rainforests can be found on all continents except Antarctica. The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon Rainforest, which is located in South America. The Amazon Rainforest is over 2.1 million square miles (5.5 million square kilometers) in size and receives an average annual precipitation of over 100 inches (254 centimeters).