A landscape is the visible shape of an area of land. It can be natural, such as mountains or deserts, or human-made, such as farmland or a cityscape. People use landscape words to talk about scenery, terrain, and views.

Natural landscapes are formed by nature. They include high land, low land, dry areas, wet areas, and places with many trees or water. These words help you name the main kind of place you see.

Word or Phrase	Definition
mountain	A mountain is a very high area of land with steep sides.
hill	A hill is a raised area of land that is lower and gentler than a mountain.
valley	A valley is a low area of land between hills or mountains.
plain	A plain is a large area of flat land.
forest	A forest is a large area covered with many trees.
desert	A desert is a very dry area with little rain and few plants.
coastline	A coastline is the land along the edge of the sea or ocean.

Landscapes also include smaller physical features. These words describe parts of the land or water inside a larger landscape. They help you give more exact descriptions of a place.

Word or Phrase	Definition
river	A river is a long natural flow of water across the land.
lake	A lake is a large area of water surrounded by land.
cliff	A cliff is a high area of rock with a very steep side.
island	An island is a piece of land with water all around it.
canyon	A canyon is a deep narrow valley with steep sides, often made by a river.

Some landscapes are shaped mainly by people. Farmland is land used for growing crops or keeping animals. A cityscape is the visual view of a city, including streets, buildings, and other built features.

Word or Phrase	Definition
farmland	Farmland is land that people use for agriculture.
field	A field is an open area of land, often used for crops or animals.
village	A village is a small settlement in the countryside.
cityscape	A cityscape is the overall view of a city and its buildings.
road	A road is a built surface that connects places across a landscape.

Adjectives describe how a landscape looks or feels. They help you talk about shape, plant life, and how close a place is to other places. These words make a description more precise.

Word or Phrase	Definition
rugged	Rugged describes land that is rough, uneven, and difficult to cross.
flat	Flat describes land with a level surface and little height difference.
lush	Lush describes land with a lot of healthy green plants.
remote	Remote describes a place that is far from towns, roads, or other people.

Scenery means the natural or visible features of a place. Terrain means the physical surface and shape of the land. A view is what you can see from a particular place, so these words help you describe landscapes in a clear way.

Word or Phrase	Definition
scenery	Scenery is the general appearance of the land and natural surroundings.
terrain	Terrain is the surface form and physical character of the land.
view	A view is the sight of a landscape from a certain position.

You can now name common natural and human-made landscapes in English. You can also use words for physical features and adjectives for appearance to describe scenery, terrain, and views more clearly. This lets you talk about many different landscapes with more accuracy.