Landforms and Bodies of Water
Grade 3 · Social Studies · Study Guide
Explore the different shapes of land and types of water found across the Earth.
When you look at a map or travel to different places, you notice that the land looks very different from place to place. These different shapes of land are called landforms. Mountains, valleys, plains, hills, and plateaus are all examples of landforms.
Mountains are the tallest landforms — they can rise thousands of feet into the sky! Mount Everest in Asia is the world's tallest mountain at 29,032 feet. Valleys are low areas between mountains or hills, often with rivers running through them. Plains are wide, flat areas of land — great for farming because the soil is rich. The Great Plains in the middle of the United States is a huge example. A plateau is like a table — flat on top but high off the ground.
Just as important are bodies of water. Oceans are the largest — they cover about 71% of Earth's surface. Seas are smaller saltwater areas. Lakes are bodies of water completely surrounded by land — the Great Lakes in North America are so large they look like small oceans! Rivers flow from higher ground to lower ground, usually emptying into an ocean or lake. The Mississippi River runs through the middle of the United States from north to south.
Landforms and water features affect where people live and how they live. People tend to settle near rivers and lakes for fresh water. Mountains can block travel but provide protection. Flat plains invite farming. Understanding landforms helps us read maps and understand history.
| Feature | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain | Very tall, steep landform | Rocky Mountains, Mount Everest |
| Valley | Low area between mountains/hills | Nile Valley, Yosemite Valley |
| Plain | Wide, flat area of land | Great Plains, USA |
| Plateau | Flat land high above surroundings | Colorado Plateau |
| River | Flowing water that leads to ocean/lake | Mississippi River, Amazon River |
| Lake | Body of water surrounded by land | Great Lakes, Lake Victoria |
Key terms
- landform
- A natural shape or feature of Earth's surface, like a mountain or valley
- mountain
- A very tall, steep landform that rises high above the surrounding area
- valley
- A low area of land between mountains or hills, often with a river
- plain
- A large, flat area of land, often with fertile soil good for farming
- plateau
- A flat area of land that is elevated (high up) above the surrounding ground
Flashcards
- landform
- A natural shape or feature of Earth's surface
- mountain
- The tallest type of landform, rising steeply above surroundings
- valley
- A low area between mountains or hills, often with a river
- plain
- A wide, flat area of land, often used for farming
- plateau
- A flat, elevated area of land high above its surroundings
- river
- A large stream of water that flows toward an ocean or lake
Practice questions
What is a landform?
- A type of animal habitat
- A natural shape or feature of Earth's surface
- A type of map
- A body of water
Show answer
Answer: A natural shape or feature of Earth's surface
Landforms are the physical shapes that make up Earth's surface — from flat plains to towering mountains to deep valleys.
Plains are wide, flat areas of land that are good for farming.
Show answer
Answer: True
Plains are flat and often have rich, deep soil perfect for growing crops. The Great Plains of the U.S. is one of the most productive farming regions in the world.
A flat area of land that is high above the surrounding ground is called a ___.
Show answer
Answer: plateau
A plateau is like a flat-topped hill — elevated above the land around it but flat on top. The Colorado Plateau in the American Southwest is a famous example.
Which landform is the tallest?
- Valley
- Plain
- Mountain
- Plateau
Show answer
Answer: Mountain
Mountains are by far the tallest landforms, formed by tectonic forces pushing rock upward. Mount Everest at 29,032 feet is the world's highest point.
Lakes are bodies of water that flow from high ground to low ground.
Show answer
Answer: False
Lakes don't flow — they are bodies of standing water completely surrounded by land. Rivers flow from higher to lower ground. Lakes are often fed by rivers or rainfall.
Fun facts
- The Great Lakes hold about 20% of all the fresh surface water on Earth!
- The Amazon River in South America releases so much fresh water into the ocean that you can taste fresh water 100 miles out to sea.
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