Environmental determinism
The belief that the physical environment strongly influences human societies and cultures.
Environmental possibilism
The idea that the environment offers possibilities and limitations, but humans can adapt and overcome constraints.
Cultural syncretism
The blending of different cultural elements to create something new, such as jazz music or Tex-Mex cuisine.
Debt for nature
A method to reduce a country's debt by conserving its natural resources.
Employment sectors
Different categories of jobs individuals have, like healthcare, technology, or retail.
Transitions
Large-scale changes in societies, such as demographic shifts or a move to renewable energy.
Epidemiologic transition
The shift in disease patterns over time, from infectious diseases to chronic illnesses.
Population map distortion
Occurs due to uneven population distribution and map scale.
Malthus's incorrect prediction
Forecasted that population growth would surpass food production without considering technological advancements.
Infant mortality and fertility
Key factors influencing population growth.
Pro-natalist policies
Aim to encourage people to have more children.
Federal vs
Differ in how power is distributed between central and regional governments.
Primate cities
Dominant city in a country; world cities are influential global centers.
Demographic trends in Africa and Latin America
Africa has a young, growing population, while Latin America has an aging population.
Economic scales
Measures of a country's economic health, like GDP or unemployment rate.
Right of passage
Legal right of ships to travel freely through specific areas.
Urbanization
Movement of people from rural to urban areas.
Economic development
Enhancement of a country's economy.
Scale of analysis
Refers to the geographic area size being studied.
Uneven development
Unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among regions or countries.
Postindustrial cities
Transitioning from a manufacturing-based to a service-based economy.
Central business district (CBD)
Commercial center of a city with high land values.
Commodity-dependent countries
Rely heavily on exporting raw materials, posing risks.
Mapping production regions
Identifies where different resources are produced.
Changing state scales
Refers to shifts in government organization.
Types of boundaries
Include political, natural, and cultural borders.
Major world religions
Differ in core beliefs and practices.
Creolization
Fusion of cultures to create something new.
Central place theory
Explains how city location and spacing are influenced by goods and services.
Cultural landscapes
Reflect how humans have shaped the environment.
Demographic transition model
Predicts population trends based on birth and death rates.
Shatterbelt regions
Areas with high ethnic diversity and frequent conflict.
Map scales
Aid in understanding map detail levels.
Joining the European Union (EU)
Offers economic and political benefits for member countries.
Solar panel farms
Generate electricity from sunlight.
Gender Inequality Index (GII)
Measures gender equality in a country.
Universalizing religions
Actively seek converts; ethnic religions are tied to specific cultures.