Differences Between Hills and Mountains

Differences Between Hills and Mountains Hills and mountains are both natural land formations that rise out of the landscape. Unfortunately, there is no universally accepted standard definition for the height of a mountain or a hill. This can make it difficult to differentiate between the two. Mountain Versus Hill There are characteristics that we typically associate with mountains; for example, most mountains have steep slopes and a well-defined summit while hills tend to be rounded. This, however, is not always the case. Some mountain ranges, such as the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, are geologically old and are therefore smaller and more rounded than more classic mountains such the Rocky Mountains in the western United States. Even leaders in geography, like the United States Geological Survey (USGS), do not have an exact definition of a mountain and a hill. Instead, the organizations Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) uses broad categories for most land features, including mountains, hills, lakes, and rivers. Though no one can agree on the heights of mountains and hills, there are a few generally accepted characteristics that define each. An Attempt to Define the Height of a Mountain According to the USGS, up until the 1920s the British Ordnance Survey defined a mountain as a geographic feature rising higher than 1000 feet (304 meters). The United States followed suit and defined a mountain as having a local relief higher than 1000 feet. This definition, however, was dropped in the late 1970s. There was even a movie about the battle over mountain and hill. In  The Englishman That Went Up a Hill and Down a Mountain  (1995, starring Hugh Grant), a Welsh village challenged cartographers attempts to classify their mountain as a hill by adding a pile of rocks to the top. What is a Hill? In general, we think of hills as having a lower elevation than a mountain and  a more rounded/mound shape than a distinct peak. Some accepted characteristics of a hill are: A natural mound of earth created either by faulting or erosion.A bump in the landscape, rising gradually from its surroundings.Low altitude and elevation, often less than 984-1968 feet (300-600 meters).A rounded top with no well-defined summit.Often unnamed.Easy to climb. Hills may have once been mountains that were worn down by erosion over many thousands of years. Contrariwise many mountains- such as the Himalayas in Asia- were created by tectonic faults and would have, at one time, been what we might now consider hills. What is a Mountain? Though  a mountain is typically taller than a hill, there is no official height designation. An abrupt difference in local topography is often described as a mountain, and such features will often have  mount  or mountain  in their name; examples include Mount Hood, Mount Ranier, and Mount Washington. Some accepted characteristics of a mountain are: A natural mound of earth created by faulting.A very steep rise in the landscape that is often abrupt in comparison to its surroundings.High altitude and elevation, often higher than 1968 feet (600 meters).A steep slope and a defined summit or peak.Often has a name.Depending on the slopes and elevation, mountains can be a challenge to climb. Of course, there are exceptions to these assumptions and some features that would otherwise be called mountains have the word hills in their name. For instance, the Black Hills in South Dakota can also be thought of as a small, isolated mountain range. The highest peak is Harney Peak at 7242 feet of elevation and 2922 feet of prominence from the surrounding landscape. The Black Hills received their name from the Lakota Indians who called the mountains  Paha Sapa, or black hills.

Definition of Petitioner in Immigration Law

Definition of Petitioner in Immigration Law In U.S. immigration law, a petitioner is someone who submits a request on behalf of a foreign national to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services  (USCIS), which, upon approval, allows the foreign national to submit an official visa application. The petitioner must be either an immediate relative (a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident) or a prospective employer. The foreign national on behalf of whom the initial request is submitted is known as the beneficiary. For example, a man, a U.S. citizen, has submitted a petition to USCIS to allow his German wife to come to the United States to live permanently. In the application, the husband is listed as the petitioner and his wife is listed as the beneficiary. Key Takeaways: Immigration Petitioner A petitioner is someone who submits a request on behalf of a foreign national who wishes to immigrate to the United States. The foreign national is known as the beneficiary. Petitions for foreign relatives are made using Form I-130, and petitions for foreign workers are made using Form I-140. Because of green card quotas, petition processing can take anywhere from several months to several years. Petition Forms In U.S. immigration law, there are two forms used by USCIS for petitioners to submit on behalf of foreign nationals. If the petitioner is a relative of the foreign national, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative needs to be completed. This form asks for information used to establish the relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary, including information about the petitioners parents, spouse(s), place of birth, current address, employment history, and more. If the petitioner is submitting a petition on behalf of a spouse, Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary must be filled out. If the petitioner is a prospective employer of the foreign national, they should complete Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. This form asks for information about the beneficiarys skills, last arrival in the United States, place of birth, current address, and more. It also asks for information about the petitioners business and the beneficiarys proposed employment. Once one of these forms has been completed, the petitioner should mail it to the appropriate address (there are separate filing instructions for Form I-130 and Form I-140). To complete this process, the petitioner must also submit a filing fee (as of 2018, the fee is $535 for Form I-130 and $700 for Form I-140). Approval Process Once a petitioner has submitted a request, the document is a reviewed by a USCIS official known as an adjudicator. Forms are reviewed on a first-come, first served basis and can take anywhere from several months to several years to process. Because of U.S. quotas on the number of green cards that can be granted each year, Form I-130 processing times vary based on the relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary. Some immediate relatives, for example- including spouses, parents, and children under 21- are given preference over siblings and adult children. Processing times for the latter can last as long as 10 years. Once a petition is approved, the qualifying foreign national may apply for permanent residency status by submitting Form I-485. This document asks for information about the place of birth, current address, recent immigration history, criminal history, and more. Immigrants who are already in the United States may apply for adjustment of status, while those outside the United States may apply for a green card through the U.S. embassy. If a foreign national is applying for an employment-based visa, they must complete the labor certification process, which is done through the Department of Labor. Once this is complete, the foreign national may apply for a visa. Additional Information About 50,000 visas are available each year through the Green Card Lottery. The lottery has certain entry requirements; for example, applicants must live in a qualifying country, and they must have at least a high school education or two years of work experience. Once a foreign national has been approved and becomes a lawful permanent resident, they have certain rights. These include the right to live and work anywhere in the United States and the guarantee of equal protection under United States law. Lawful permanent residents also have certain responsibilities, including the requirement to report their income to the IRS. Male lawful permanent residents between the ages of 18 and 25 must also register for the Selective Service.