hgap vocab - 1-7 full

Absolute location

The precise geographic location of a place, typically defined by latitude and longitude.

Census data

Demographic information collected from a population at a specific time.

Clustering

The spatial arrangement of a set of objects or phenomena in close proximity to each other.

Distortion

The alteration of the original shape, area, or distance on a map or model.

Environmental determinism

The theory that the physical environment shapes human behavior and culture.

Field Observation

The practice of collecting data through direct observation in natural settings.

Flows (migration)

Patterns of movement of people from one location to another.

Formal region

A geographical area defined by specific criteria or characteristics.

Functional region

An area organized around a node or focal point.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A system designed to capture, analyze, manage, and display spatial or geographic data.

Geographical data

Information that is referenced to locations on the Earth's surface.

Land Use

The management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment.

Landscape Analysis

The examination of the changes and interrelationships in a landscape.

Map projection & distortion

The method of representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map, often resulting in distortion.

Toponym

The name of a place or geographic feature.

Friction of distance

The concept that distance inhibits movement and interaction between locations.

Natural Resources

Materials or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain.

Perceptual/vernacular region

An area defined by the subjective perceptions of its inhabitants.

Place

A specific point on Earth distinguished by particular characteristics.

Possibilism

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

Reference maps

Maps that show the location of various features in the environment.

Regional analysis

The study of those characteristics that distinguish regions from one another.

Regional scale

The scale at which geographic analysis is conducted, often distinguishing local, regional, and global perspectives.

Relative location

The location of a place in relation to other places.

Remote sensing

The acquisition of information about an object or area from a distance, typically from satellite or aircraft.

Satellite imagery

Images of Earth or other planets collected by satellites.

Satellite navigation system (GPS)

A system that uses satellites to provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning.

Scale (map scale)

The ratio of a distance on the map to the corresponding distance on the ground.

Scale (scale of analysis)

The level of detail and the size of the area being analyzed or studied.

Space

The physical distance between two places.

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 specific themes or subjects.

Time-distance decay

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

Site

The specific physical characteristics of a place.

Situation

The external characteristics surrounding a place, including its relative location.

Aging population

A demographic trend where the proportion of older individuals in a population increases.

Agricultural population density

The number of farmers per unit area of arable land.

Anti Natalist population policies

Policies aimed at discouraging population growth.

Arable

Land capable of being plowed and used to grow crops.

Arithmetic population density

The total number of people divided by the total land area.

Asylum Seekers

Individuals who seek refuge in another country due to fear of persecution.

Boserup Theory

The theory that population growth drives agricultural intensification.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Census

The process of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population.

Chain migration

The social process by which immigrants from a particular place follow others from that area to a new location.

Contraception

Methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy.

Counterurbanization

The process of population movement from urban to rural areas.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

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

Crude Death Rate (CDR)

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

Cyclic movement

Movement that occurs in a regular and repeated pattern.

Demographic transition model (DTM)

A model that describes the stages of population growth based on birth and death rates.

Demography

The statistical study of populations, including the structure, distribution, and trends.

Dependency ratio

The ratio of individuals who are not in the labor force (dependents) to those who are (working-age population).

Doubling Time

The number of years it takes for a population to double in size.

Ecumene

The inhabited land or the portion of the Earth’s surface that is occupied by humans.

Ehrlich Theory

The theory that population growth will outpace food production, leading to mass starvation.

Emigration

The act of leaving one's own country to settle in another.

Epidemiological transition model (ETM)

A model that describes the shifts in health and disease patterns as a country develops.

Eugenic population policies

Policies aimed at improving the genetic quality of a population.

Expansive population policies

Policies that encourage higher birth rates or immigration.

Family planning

The practice of controlling the number of children one has and the intervals between their births.

Forced migration

The movement of people away from their home or country due to conflict or environmental factors.

GDP

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

Guest worker

A foreign national who is permitted to reside and work in a country temporarily.

Immigration

The act of coming to live in a foreign country.

Immigration policies

Laws and regulations governing the entrance of foreigners into a country.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

The number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births in a given year.

Infrastructure

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

Internal migration

Movement of people within the same country.

Internally Displaced Person (IDP)

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

International migration

Movement of people between countries.

Interregional migration

Migration that occurs between different regions of a country.

Intervening Obstacle/Opportunity (when migrating/moving)

Factors that hinder or help the migration process.

Intraregional migration

Movement of people within a region.

Less Developed Country (LDC)

A country with a low level of industrialization and low Human Development Index relative to other countries.

Life Expectancy

The average period that a person may expect to live.

Literacy Rate

The percentage of people who are able to read and write in a given population.

Malthusian Theory

The theory that population growth will outpace agricultural production, leading to famine.

Medical revolution

The advancements in healthcare that resulted in lower mortality rates.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another.

More Developed Country (MDC)

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

Neo-Malthusian

Modern advocates of Malthusian theory who support population control.

Newly Industrializing Country (NDC)

A country that is transitioning from agricultural to industrial economic activities.

Nomadism

A lifestyle characterized by moving from place to place rather than settling permanently.

Overpopulation

When a population exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment.

Periodic movement

Movement that occurs regularly, such as seasonal migration.

Physiological population density

The number of people per unit area of arable land.

Population density

The number of people living per unit of area, usually per square kilometer.

Population Distribution

The spread of people across the world.

Population Pyramids

Graphs that show the age and sex distribution of a population.

Primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary economic sectors

Different sectors of the economy; primary (raw materials), secondary (manufacturing), tertiary (services), quaternary (knowledge-based services).

Pro Natalist population policies

Policies aimed at encouraging population growth by promoting higher birth rates.

Pull factors

Positive aspects or conditions that attract individuals to migrate to a new location.

Push factors

Negative aspects or conditions that encourage individuals to leave their current location.

Natural Increase Rate

The rate at which a population grows, calculated by subtracting the death rate from the birth rate.

Ravenstein’s laws of migration

Principles that describe migration patterns and behaviors.

Refugees

Individuals who flee their home country due to persecution or war.

Remittances

Money sent back home by migrants to support family and friends.

Restrictive population policies

Policies that limit population growth.