Geography Study Guide for CSEC®

A collection of key terms and definitions from the Geography Study Guide for CSEC® to aid in exam preparation.

Natural hazard

A naturally occurring event (e.g., earthquake, landslide) that poses a threat or risk to people.

Urbanisation

The growth in the proportion of individuals living in towns and cities.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Demographic transition model

A model that shows the transition of a country from high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates as part of the development process.

Latosols

Deep, nutrient-poor soils found in tropical rainforest environments, typically characterized by high iron and aluminum content.

Coral reef

A marine ecosystem composed of coral polyps that build hard structures, providing habitats for many species.

Push factors

Negative aspects of rural areas that encourage individuals to move away, such as poor living conditions.

Pull factors

Positive aspects of urban areas that attract people, like job opportunities and better services.

Constructive wave

A low, powerful wave that surges up the beach with a strong swash, contributing to beach building.

Destructive wave

A tall wave that crashes onto the beach with a strong backwash, leading to coastal erosion.

Siltation

The accumulation of silt in river beds or lakes, often caused by soil erosion or sediment deposition.

Natural increase

A situation where the birth rate exceeds the death rate in a population.

Natural decrease

A situation where the death rate exceeds the birth rate in a population.

Longshore drift

The movement of sediment along the coast due to wave action, influenced by prevailing winds.

Meander

A sweeping bend in a river, often found in its middle and lower courses.

Oxbow lake

A crescent-shaped lake formed when a meander is cut off from the main river.

Seismic waves

Shockwaves that radiate out from the focus of an earthquake, responsible for the shaking felt on the ground.

Storm surge

A temporary rise in sea level caused by strong winds and low pressure associated with hurricanes.

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms and their physical environment, interacting as a system.

Subsistence farming

Farming that provides enough food for the farmer and their family, with little surplus for sale.

Commercial farming

Agriculture that focuses on producing crops for sale and profit.

Migration

The movement of individuals from one place to another, often involving a change in residence.

Ecotourism

Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, improves the well-being of local people, and promotes education.

Floodplain

An area of flat land on either side of a river that is subject to flooding.