Shorted down key concepts

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.