HGAP Review

Absolute location

The exact position of a point on the Earth's surface, often defined by coordinates.

Census data

Systematic collection of data about the population, typically conducted every ten years.

Clustering

The unequal distribution of a phenomenon across a given area or space.

Distortion

The alteration of the original shape or accuracy of an object or image during representation.

Environmental determinism

The theory that human behavior is shaped and constrained by the physical environment.

Field Observation

A qualitative research method where the researcher observes subjects in their natural environment.

Flows (migration)

The movement of people from one place to another, often for employment or better living conditions.

Formal region

An area defined by official boundaries or similar characteristics, such as a state or country.

Functional region

An area organized around a central hub or node and defined by its function.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data.

Geographical data

Information that is related to the Earth's surface and its features.

Land Use

The management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environments such as settlements.

Landscape Analysis

The study of the relationship between spatial patterns and human activities in a given area.

Map projections

Methods of representing the three-dimensional earth on a two-dimensional surface, often leading to distortion.

Toponym

A name given to a place or geographic feature.

Friction of distance

A concept that describes how the cost of distance can impact behavior and interactions.

Natural Resources

Materials found in nature that are valuable to human life and economy.

Perceptual/vernacular region

An area defined by people's perceptions and attitudes rather than formal boundaries.

Place

A specific point on Earth distinguished by particular characteristics.

Possibilism

The theory that the environment sets certain constraints or limitations, but culture is otherwise determined by human actions.

Reference maps

Maps that show the location of various features without showing specific data or themes.

Regional analysis

The study of regions to understand their characteristics and relationships.

Regional scale

A level of analysis that focuses on broader areas, like continents or regions.

Relative location

The position of a place in relation to other places.

Remote sensing

The acquisition of information about an object or area from a distance, typically using satellites.

Satellite imagery

Pictures taken from satellites that provide real-time data about the Earth.

Satellite navigation system (GPS)

A system that uses satellites to determine the precise location of users on Earth.

Scale (map scale)

The relationship between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground.

Scale (scale of analysis)

The extent of the area being studied or analyzed.

Space

The physical gap or interval between two objects.

Spatial Pattern

The arrangement of various phenomena across the Earth's surface.

Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Thematic maps

Maps that focus on a specific theme or subject area.

Time-distance decay

The principle that the interaction between two locales declines as the distance between them increases.

Site

The physical characteristics of a place, including its location and immediate environment.

Situation

The location of a place relative to its surroundings and other places.

Aging population

A demographic trend showing an increase in the proportion of older individuals in a population.

Agricultural population density

The number of people living in rural areas devoted to farming activities.

Anti Natalist population policies

Government policies that seek to reduce the birth rate.

Arable

Land capable of being plowed and used to grow crops.

Arithmetic population density

The total population divided by the total land area.

Asylum Seekers

Individuals who seek refuge in another country, claiming to be fleeing persecution.

Boserup Theory

A theory that proposes that agricultural methods depend on population size.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum number of individuals that an environment can support sustainably.

Census

An official count or survey of a population.

Chain migration

The process by which immigrants from a particular town follow others from that town to a particular destination.

Contraception

Methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy.

Counterurbanization

A demographic trend where people move from urban areas to rural areas.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

The number of live births in a year per 1,000 people.

Crude Death Rate (CDR)

The number of deaths in a year per 1,000 people.

Cyclic movement

A type of migration that involves a repetitive pattern.

Demographic transition model (DTM)

A model showing the transition of a country from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates.

Demography

The scientific study of populations.

Dependency ratio

The ratio of non-working age citizens to working age citizens.

Doubling Time

The period of time required for a quantity to double in size or value.

Ecumene

The inhabited land of the world.

Ehrlich Theory

The idea that population growth will outpace food production, leading to scarcity.

Emigration

The act of leaving one country to settle in another.

Epidemiological transition model (ETM)

A model that describes changes in health and disease patterns.

Eugenic population policies

Government policies that aim to improve the genetic quality of a population.

Family planning

The practice of controlling the number and spacing of children.

Forced migration

The involuntary movement of a person or persons away from their home or home region.

GDP

Gross Domestic Product; the total value of all goods produced and services provided in a country.

Guest worker

A person who is allowed to work in a country temporarily.

Immigration

The action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country.

Immigration policies

Laws and regulations governing who can enter a country and for how long.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

The number of infants who die before their first birthday per 1,000 live births.

Infrastructure

The basic physical systems of a community, including transportation and utilities.

Internal migration

The movement of people within a country.

Internally Displaced Person (IDP)

A person who has been forced to flee their home but remains within their country's borders.

International migration

The movement of individuals across country borders.

Interregional migration

Movement between different regions within the same country.

Intervening Obstacle/Opportunity

Factors that hinder or facilitate migration.

Intraregional migration

Movement within a specific region.

Less Developed Country (LDC)

A country with a low level of industrialization, a lower Human Development Index, and lower per capita income.

Life Expectancy

The average period that a person may expect to live.

Literacy Rate

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

Malthusian Theory

The theory that population growth will outpace food supply, leading to famine and societal collapse.

Medical revolution

A period marked by advancements in medical science leading to improved health and longevity.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another.

More Developed Country (MDC)

A country with a high level of industrialization and a high Human Development Index.

Neo-Malthusian

A perspective that advocates for population control to prevent environmental degradation.

Newly Industrializing Country (NDC)

A country that has recently begun to develop its industry and economy.

Nomadism

A way of life characterized by moving from place to place in search of food, water, and grazing land.

Overpopulation

A condition where the number of people exceeds the resources available.

Periodic movement

A form of migration that occurs at regular intervals.

Physiological population density

The number of people per unit area of arable land.

Population density

The total number of people living in a given area.

Population Distribution

The arrangement or spread of people living in a given area.

Population Pyramids

Graphical representations showing the age and sex distribution of a population.

Primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary economic sectors

Stages of economic activity, including raw materials, manufacturing, services, and knowledge-based activities.

Pro Natalist population policies

Government policies that encourage higher birth rates.

Pull factors

Positive characteristics that attract people to a new area.

Push factors

Negative characteristics that drive people away from their original location.

Natural Increase Rate

The difference between the number of live births and the number of deaths in a population.

Ravenstein’s laws of migration

A set of principles that explain the patterns and trends in human migration.

Refugees

People who are forced to flee their country due to persecution, war, or violence.

Remittances

Money sent by immigrants back to their home country.

Restrictive population policies

Government measures that limit population growth or migration.

Rural-to-urban migration

The movement of people from countryside areas to urban areas.