US Geography, New York City Urban Dynamics, and Demographics Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering topics on US geography, New York City infrastructure, urban dynamics, poverty metrics, gentrification, and migration patterns.

Continental Transect

A cross-sectional line or path that covers an entire continent or a major part of it, which can be represented via photos or symbols and details features like terrain, weather, objects, and land usage.

Geographical Area of the USA

The total area of the United States, measuring $9,833,517\,\text{km}^2$, making it the 3rd largest country by area.

New York Metropolitan Islands

The three main islands that form the geography of New York City: Manhattan, Staten Island, and Western Long Island (comprising Brooklyn and Queens).

Brooklyn Bridge

A major bridge opened in 1883 that facilitated the urban expansion and development of Brooklyn.

Humid Subtropical Climate

The climate type characteristic of New York City, defined by cool wet winters, hot humid summers, and high precipitation throughout the year.

New York City Subway System

A public transport system opened in 1904 that carries around 6 million daily passenger trips, currently facing challenges with aging infrastructure, rat infestations, and heavy rain flooding.

Rust Belt

A geographic region in the Northeastern and Mideastern United States (spanning West Pennsylvania, Ohio, towards Southeastern Wisconsin) historically centered on manufacturing, production, and coal mining that suffered severe economic decline, job loss, and urban decay in the late 20th century.

Urban Decay

The process by which a previously functioning city or part of a city falls into disrepair, characterized by abandoned buildings and deteriorating infrastructure.

Population Loss

A decline in a city or region's overall population caused by emigration and lower birth rates.

Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville

NYC neighborhoods known for high concentrations of Black residents, encompassing American-born African Americans as well as immigrants from Africa, the Caribbean (e.g., Jamaica, Trinidad), and Latin America.

Dreamers

Children brought to the United States without legal immigration status; associated with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which offers temporary protections but does not grant full legal US citizenship rights or benefits.

Absolute Poverty

A condition in which a household's income falls below the necessary threshold required to afford basic human necessities, such as shelter and food.

Relative Poverty

A state of economic hardship where household income falls significantly below the median income level of the broader surrounding population.

Rent Burdened

A financial hardship situation where a household pays a severe portion of its income toward rent; affects over $53\%$ of NYC renters in a city where $67.2\%$ of residents rent.

American Dream

The American ethos that any individual, regardless of ethnicity or social class, can achieve success, prosperity, and upward mobility through hard work, determination, and initiative.

Gentrification

The process by which affluent individuals move into an existing lower-income urban district, causing rent and property values to rise, displacing poorer original residents and altering the district's cultural character.

Puerto Rican Immigration to NYC

A major migration movement driven by the Great Depression and post-WWI search for employment, resulting in over 1 million Puerto Ricans settling in New York.

Cuban Immigration (1959)

An immigration wave following Fidel Castro's rise to power and establishment of a communist government in Cuba in 1959, leading to 125,000 people leaving Cuba within 6 months.

Dominican Immigration (Post-1961)

A migration movement largely centered in Washington Heights that surged after Rafael Trujillo was assassinated in 1961, which led to less strict emigration policies.