A plateau is an area of level high ground. A mesa is an isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides. A butte is similar to a mesa but narrower. A peninsula is a piece of land that is almost surrounded by a body of water (Alaska or Florida for example). A desert is a dry sandy region that has little rainfall, extreme temperatures and sparse vegetation. A canyon is a deep gorge or valley between hills or mountains usually with steep rocky walls and a stream or river running through it. An ocean is a very large expanse of sea. A hill is a naturally raised area of land but not a rocky as a mountain. A valley is a low area of land between mountains and usually has a river running through it. An island is a piece of land completely surrounded by water (the islands of Hawaii for example). A mountain is a natural elevation of earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.
