Human Geo Final Terms

Reference map

A map that shows general geographic features like boundaries, cities, and physical features.

Thematic map

A map focused on a specific theme or subject, such as population density or climate.

Map scale

The ratio between distances on a map and the actual distances on the ground, which can be local, regional, national, or global.

Absolute location

The exact position of a place on Earth using coordinates (latitude and longitude).

Relative location

A place’s position compared to other locations.

Site

The physical characteristics of a place, such as terrain, climate, and natural resources.

Situation

A place’s location in relation to its surroundings and other places.

Toponym

The name given to a place on Earth.

Distribution

The way a feature or population is spread over space.

Density

The number of something in a defined area (e.g., people per square mile).

Concentration

The extent to which a feature is clustered or dispersed.

Pattern

The geometric arrangement of objects in space.

GIS (Geographic Information System)

A system for capturing, storing, and analyzing geographic data.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

A satellite-based system that provides precise location data.

Sustainability

Meeting current needs without compromising future generations, considering economic, environmental, and social factors.

UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals)

A global agenda of 17 goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity by 2030.

Demography

The statistical study of populations, including birth, death, income, and disease data.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals an environment can support sustainably.

Population growth rate

The percentage increase in a population over a given time period.

Life expectancy

The average number of years a person is expected to live.

Literacy rate

The percentage of people who can read and write in a population.

Fertility rate

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

Infant mortality rate

The number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.

Maternal mortality rate

The number of women who die due to pregnancy-related causes per 100,000 live births.

Population pyramid

A graph showing the age and sex distribution of a population.

Age structure

The distribution of a population across different age groups.

Graying (aging population)

An increasing proportion of elderly individuals in the population.

Push factors

Conditions that drive people to leave their home region (e.g., conflict, famine).

Pull factors

Conditions that attract people to a new region (e.g., jobs, safety).

Refugee

A person forced to flee their country due to war, persecution, or disaster.

Internally displaced person (IDP)

Someone who is forced to flee their home but remains within their country's borders.

Asylum seeker

A person seeking international protection from persecution or danger in their home country.

Brain drain

The emigration of highly skilled or educated individuals from one country to another.

Guest worker

A foreign laborer allowed to live and work temporarily in a host country.

Remittance

Money sent back home by migrants to support their families.

Pro-natalism

Government policies that encourage childbirth.

Anti-natalism

Government policies that discourage childbirth.

One Child Policy

A former Chinese population control policy limiting most families to one child.

Nativism

A belief favoring native inhabitants over immigrants.

Xenophobia

Fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers.

Cultural traits

Specific customs, traditions, or behaviors shared by a culture.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of the world's cultures and economies.

Diffusion

The spread of ideas, customs, or technologies from one culture to another.

Time-space compression

The reduction in time it takes for something to reach another place due to improved communication or transportation.

Distance decay

The diminishing influence of a phenomenon with increasing distance from its origin.

Cultural convergence

The tendency for cultures to become more alike as they interact.

Material culture

The physical objects created and used by a society (e.g., buildings, tools).

Non-material culture

The intangible aspects of culture such as beliefs, values, and customs.

Traditional vs. modern

Traditional refers to long-established customs, while modern relates to current, often industrial or post-industrial, practices.

Assimilation

The process by which a minority group adopts the culture of the dominant group.

Cultural appropriation

The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another, often without respect or understanding.

Ethnic enclave

A community within a larger area where a particular ethnic group lives and maintains cultural traditions.

Homogenous

A population or area with little cultural or ethnic diversity.

Heterogeneous

A population or area with high cultural or ethnic diversity.

Ethnocentrism

Judging another culture based on the values and standards of one’s own culture.

Centripetal force

A factor that unites or brings people together (e.g., shared language).

Centrifugal force

A factor that divides or separates people (e.g., religious conflict).

Judaism

A monotheistic religion originating with the Hebrew people, centered on the Torah.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by Muhammad, based on the Quran.

Hinduism

A major religion from India characterized by a belief in reincarnation and many gods.

Buddhism

A religion based on the teachings of the Buddha, focusing on overcoming suffering and achieving enlightenment.

Sikhism

A monotheistic religion founded in Punjab emphasizing equality, service, and devotion to one God.

Traditional economy

An economy based on customs, traditions, and bartering.

Command economy

An economy where the government controls production and prices.

Market economy

An economy driven by supply, demand, and consumer choice.

Mixed economy

An economy combining elements of market and command systems.

Subsistence

Producing just enough resources to meet the needs of a family or community.

Developed country

A nation with a high standard of living and advanced infrastructure.

Developing country

A nation with lower levels of income, industrialization, and human development.

Primary economic activity

Jobs that involve collecting natural resources (e.g., farming, fishing).

Secondary economic activity

Jobs involving manufacturing and industry.

Tertiary economic activity

Jobs providing services (e.g., teachers, doctors).

Unemployment rate

The percentage of the labor force without a job but actively seeking work.

Balance of trade

The difference between a country’s exports and imports.

GDP per capita

A measure of a country’s economic output per person.

Resource curse

The paradox where countries rich in natural resources tend to have less economic growth and development.

Global supply chain

The worldwide network used to produce and distribute products.

Containerization

The use of standardized containers to efficiently transport goods globally.

Chokepoint

A strategic narrow route (e.g., straits or canals) where trade can be disrupted.

Inflation

The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises.

Urban

Areas with high population density and infrastructure of built environment.

Rural

Areas with low population density and more open space or farmland.

Urbanization

The process of people moving from rural areas to cities.

Megacity

A city with a population over 10 million.

Metacity

A city with a population over 20 million.

Slum

A densely populated, informal settlement with poor housing and infrastructure.

Infrastructure

The basic physical systems of a place, such as roads, water supply, and electricity.

Free trade

International trade without tariffs, quotas, or restrictions.

Outsourcing

The relocation of jobs to another country to reduce costs.

Tariff

A tax on imported goods.

Aid

Financial or material help provided to countries in need.

State

A politically organized territory with a government and recognized borders.

Nation

A group of people with shared culture, language, or ethnicity.

Nation-state

A country whose population is mostly made up of a single nation.

Stateless nation

An ethnic group without a sovereign state of its own.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference.

Self-determination

The right of a people to choose their own political