Human Geography

Arithmetic Density

Total population divided by total land area; shows population distribution.

Physiological Density

Population divided by arable (farmable) land; shows pressure on agricultural land.

Agricultural Density

Number of farmers divided by arable land; indicates farming efficiency.

Natural Increase Rate (NIR)

Crude birth rate minus crude death rate; indicates population growth (excluding migration).

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

Number of births per 1,000 people per year.

Crude Death Rate (CDR)

Number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

Average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime.

Formal Region

Defined by official boundaries or uniform characteristics (e.g., countries, states).

Functional Region

Defined by a central node and connections (e.g., a metro area or a TV broadcast region).

Perceptual (Vernacular) Region

Based on people’s beliefs or cultural identity (e.g., “The South” in the U.S.).

Geometric Boundary

Straight lines often based on latitude/longitude (e.g., U.S.-Canada border).

Physical Boundary

Natural features like rivers or mountains.

Cultural Boundary

Based on language, religion, or ethnicity.

Subsequent Boundary

Created after settlement based on cultural differences.

Superimposed Boundary

Imposed by external powers without regard to cultural patterns.

Relic Boundary

No longer used but still visible (e.g., Berlin Wall).

Relocation Diffusion

Spread of a feature through physical movement of people (e.g., migration).

Hierarchical Diffusion

Spread from a person/place of authority or influence (e.g., fashion from celebrities).

Contagious Diffusion

Rapid, widespread diffusion through a population (e.g., viral videos).

Stimulus Diffusion

Spread of an idea, even if the specific trait doesn't spread (e.g., McDonald’s adapting menus in India).

Indigenous Languages

Native languages spoken by original inhabitants of a region, often endangered.

Language Diffusion

Languages spread through migration, conquest, trade, and colonization.

Judaism

Monotheistic religion that originated in the Middle East; sacred text is the Torah.

Christianity

Monotheistic religion that began with Jesus in the Middle East; sacred text is the Bible.

Islam

Monotheistic religion that started with Prophet Muhammad in Mecca; sacred text is the Qur’an.

Buddhism

Non-theistic religion that began in India with Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha).

Hinduism

Polytheistic religion that is the oldest major religion, which began in India.

Sikhism

Monotheistic religion originating in Punjab, India, combining elements of Hinduism and Islam.

Remote Sensing

Gathering data about Earth’s surface using satellites or aircraft.

Geocaching

GPS-based treasure hunting game using coordinates to find hidden items.

Mashup (Maps)

A map that overlays different datasets (e.g., roads + weather + restaurants).

Map Projections

Ways to represent Earth’s surface; all distort shape, area, distance, or direction.

Sovereign State

A political unit with a defined territory, permanent population, and government.

Nation-State

A state whose population shares a common culture and identity.

Multinational State

A state with multiple ethnic groups who retain cultural differences.

Multistate Nation

A nation spread across multiple states.

Supranational Organization

An alliance of multiple countries for common goals.

Asylum Seeker

A person fleeing their home country to seek protection in another due to danger or persecution.

EU (European Union)

Political and economic union in Europe; promotes free movement of goods, services, and people.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

Promotes political and economic cooperation among Southeast Asian countries.

UN (United Nations)

International organization that promotes peace, security, and cooperation.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Military alliance for mutual defense between North America and Europe.

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)

Coordinates oil production and prices among member states.

Agricultural Revolutions

Significant changes in agricultural practices, including domestication, mechanization, and high-yield methods.

Economies of Scale

Cost advantages from increased production.

Terroir

The influence of local environment on the taste and characteristics of food and drink.

Nomadic Warrior Theory

Theory that Indo-European languages spread via Kurgan warriors through conquest.

Clustered Settlements

Homes/buildings grouped together, common in rural areas with shared services.

Dispersed Settlements

Spread-out settlements, common in agricultural regions.

Linear Settlements

Settlements along roads, rivers, or valleys.

Territorial Sea

Up to 12 nautical miles from shore with full sovereignty.

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Up to 200 nautical miles where a country controls marine resources.

High Seas

Areas beyond national jurisdiction.