Geography and Economic Development Lecture Notes

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key concepts in regional, population, economic, and environmental geography based on the provided lecture notes.

Region

An area that shares one or more common physical or human characteristics.

Administrative Region

A region defined by political boundaries for government purposes (states, counties, countries).

Formal Region

A region with measurable, uniform characteristics such as climate, language, or religion.

Functional Region

A region organized around a central node connected by movement, communication, or services.

Perceptual (Vernacular) Region

A region defined by people's beliefs, opinions, or cultural identity rather than official boundaries.

Geographic Realm

A large world region based on physical, cultural, historical, and functional characteristics.

Transition Zone

An area where two regions gradually blend together.

Monocentric Region

A region dominated by one major country or city.

Polycentric Region

A region with multiple influential centers.

Subregion

A smaller division within a larger geographic region.

Homogeneity

The degree to which a region shares similar characteristics.

Core

The center of activity or influence within a functional region.

Hinterland

The surrounding area influenced by a core.

Absolute Location

A location identified by latitude and longitude.

Relative Location

A place described in relation to another place.

Map

A representation of Earth's surface.

Reference Map

A map showing natural and human-made features such as roads, rivers, and cities.

Thematic Map

A map displaying one specific topic, such as climate or population density.

Legend (Map Key)

Explains the symbols used on a map.

Cartography

The science and art of making maps.

Map Projection

A method of representing Earth's curved surface on a flat map.

Mercator Projection

A projection that preserves direction but greatly distorts size near the poles.

Robinson Projection

A projection that balances distortions of size and shape.

Scale

The relationship between map distance and actual ground distance.

Small-Scale Map

Shows a large geographic area with less detail.

Large-Scale Map

Shows a small area with greater detail.

GIS (Geographic Information System)

Computer software used to collect, store, analyze, and display geographic data.

GIS Layers

Different types of geographic information stacked together for analysis.

Remote Sensing

Collecting information about Earth from satellites or aircraft.

Aerial Photograph

An image of Earth's surface taken from above.

Latitude

Lines measuring distance north or south of the Equator.

Longitude

Lines measuring distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

Generalization

Simplifying map features to make maps easier to read.

Data Aggregation

Combining detailed data into larger geographic units.

MAUP (Modifiable Areal Unit Problem)

Statistical results change when geographic boundaries change.

Zone Effect

Changes caused by rearranging geographic boundaries.

Scale Effect

Changes caused by changing the size of geographic units.

Population Density

The number of people living per unit of land.

Population Distribution

The pattern of where people live.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

The number of live births per $1,000$ people each year.

Crude Death Rate (CDR)

The number of deaths per $1,000$ people each year.

Rate of Natural Increase (RNI)

Population growth calculated by subtracting the death rate from the birth rate.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

The number of infant deaths (under age $1$) per $1,000$ live births.

General Fertility Rate (GFR)

Births per $1,000$ women of childbearing age.

Age-Specific Fertility Rate (ASFR)

Birth rate for women within a specific age group.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

Average number of children a woman is expected to have.

Replacement-Level Fertility

The fertility rate (about $2.1$ children per woman) needed to maintain a stable population.

Doubling Time

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

Population Pyramid

A graph showing a population's age and sex distribution.

Cohort

A group of people sharing a common characteristic, usually age.

Migration

Permanent movement of people from one location to another.

Internal Migration

Movement within a country.

International Migration

Movement between countries.

Push Factors

Conditions that encourage people to leave a place.

Pull Factors

Conditions that attract people to a new place.

Remittances

Money migrants send back to family in their home country.

Forced Migration

Migration caused by war, persecution, or disasters.

Refugee

A person forced to leave their country because of persecution or conflict.

Asylum

Protection granted to refugees in another country.

Internally Displaced Person (IDP)

Someone forced to move within their own country.

Demographic Transition Model

A model explaining how birth and death rates change as countries develop.

Stage 1

High birth and death rates with little population growth.

Stage 2

Death rates decline while birth rates remain high, causing rapid growth.

Stage 3

Birth rates decline and population growth slows.

Stage 4

Low birth and death rates with stable population growth.

Stage 5

Very low birth rates leading to population decline and aging.

Life Expectancy

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

Life Span

Maximum possible human age.

Longevity

Actual length of an individual's life.

Dependency Ratio

The ratio of dependents (young and old) to the working-age population.

Youth Dependency Ratio

Ratio of children to working-age adults.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio

Ratio of elderly people to working-age adults.

Carrying Capacity

Maximum population an environment can sustainably support.

Peninsula

Land surrounded by water on three sides.

Rhine River

A major European river important for transportation and trade.

Danube River

Europe's second-longest river, flowing through Central and Eastern Europe.

Marine West Coast Climate

Mild temperatures with frequent rainfall.

Humid Continental Climate

Warm summers and cold winters with year-round precipitation.

Mediterranean Climate

Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Acid Rain

Rain made acidic by air pollution that damages ecosystems.

Renewable Energy

Energy from naturally replenished resources like wind and solar.

Climate Resilience

The ability to prepare for and adapt to climate impacts.

Negative Natural Increase

More deaths than births.

Immigration

Movement of people into a country.

Urbanization

Growth of cities and urban populations.

Central Business District (CBD)

The commercial and business center of a city.

Primate City

A country's largest city, much larger than the second-largest city.

Greenbelt

Protected open land surrounding urban areas to limit urban sprawl.

Indo-European Languages

Europe's largest language family.

Germanic Languages

Languages including English and German.

Romance Languages

Languages derived from Latin, such as Spanish and French.

Slavic Languages

Languages spoken throughout Eastern Europe.

Secularism

Separation of religion from government.

European Union (EU)

A political and economic organization of European countries.

European Economic Community (EEC)

The predecessor to the European Union.

Maastricht Treaty

The treaty that officially created the European Union.

Eurozone

EU countries that use the euro as their currency.

Euro

The common currency used by many EU countries.

European Central Bank (ECB)

The institution responsible for managing the euro.

Schengen Agreement

An agreement allowing passport-free travel between many European countries.