Unit 2b - Migration Vocabulary
90. Activity Space - The space within which daily activity occurs
ex). The daily commute of a person from home to work or school. This concept refers to the area within which individuals move regularly as they go about their daily activities. For instance, a student's activity space might include their home, school, nearby parks, and places they frequently visit.
91. Asylum seeker - Someone who has migrated to a different country in the hope of being recognized as a refugee
ex). A Syrian refugee escaping the civil war and seeking asylum in Germany. This shows that the Syrian migrated to a different country in hopes of being recognized as a refugee and given a safe haven.
92. Brain drain/Brain gain - Large scale emigration and immigration by talented people
ex). A skilled doctor from India moving to the United States for better career opportunities, leading to a shortage of medical professionals in India; Tech professionals relocating to Silicon Valley, contributing to the technological advancements and economic growth of the U.S.
93. Chain migration - Migration of people to a specific location because relatives or members of the same nationality previously migrated there
ex). When a family member moves to a new country and then helps other family members follow them; a person from Mexico immigrates to the United States for better job opportunities. Once they establish themselves, they sponsor their relatives to join them. This leads to a chain reaction where family members gradually move to the new country, creating a community of migrants from the same origin.
94. Circulation Migration - The temporary movement of a migrant worker between home and host countries to seek employment
ex). Agricultural workers from Mexico might migrate to the United States for the harvest season and then return home once the season ends. This type of migration is temporary and repetitive, as individuals move back and forth in response to seasonal demands for labor.
95. Counterurbanization - Net migration from urban to rural areas in more developed countries
ex). Residents of a city like New York may relocate to the rural outskirts of upstate New York to escape the high cost of living, traffic, and noise. This movement is often driven by the desire for more space, a slower pace of life, and improved quality of life in less densely populated areas.
96. Diaspora - A dispersion of people from their homeland
ex). Over centuries, Jewish communities were dispersed from their homeland in the Middle East to various parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Africa. This dispersion has created widespread Jewish communities maintaining their cultural, religious, and historical identities while contributing to the diversity of their host countries.
97. Emigration - Migration from a location
ex). A skilled professional leaving India to work in Canada.
98. Floodplain - An area subject to flooding during a given number of years, according to historical trends
ex). The Sahara desert is not a floodplain, as it is not a location subject to flooding during a given number years due to its dry climate.
99. Forced Migration - Permanent movement, usually compelled by cultural factors
ex). Due to the ongoing civil war and violent conflict in Syria, millions of Syrians have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring countries like Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, as well as in Europe. This migration is involuntary and is forced upon those being moved.
100. Gravity Model - A model which holds that the potential use of a service at a particular location is directly related to the number of people in a location and inversely related to the distance people must travel to reach the service
ex). The interaction between New York City and Los Angeles. Despite the significant distance between them, these cities have strong economic and social ties due to their large populations and economic activities.
101. Guest worker - A term once used for a worker who migrated to the developed countries of Northern and Western Europe in search of a higher paying job
ex). During the 1950s and 60s, Germany invited workers from countries like Turkey, Italy, and Greece to fill labor shortages in various industries. These guest workers were allowed to work temporarily in Germany under specific contracts.
102. Immigration - Migration to a new location
ex). An individual moving from Mexico to the United States.
103. Internal Migration - Permanent movement within a particular country
ex). The movement of people from the Rust Belt to the Sunbelt in the United States
104. Internally displaced person - Someone who has been forced to migrate for similar political reasons as a refugee but has not migrated across an international boarder
ex). A person from a town Syria, who moves to a safer area within Syria due to ongoing violence, is considered an IDP. Unlike refugees, who cross international borders seeking safety, IDPs seek refuge within their own country, often facing similar hardships without the same legal protections and assistance from the international community.
105. International migration - Permanent movement from one country to another
ex). Someone moving from India to Canada. This type of migration involves crossing international borders and is often driven by the search for better job opportunities, higher education, or improved living conditions.
106. Interregional migration - Permanent movement from one region of a country to another
ex). Movement of people from the northeastern United States to the southwestern states like Arizona and Texas. This migration is often driven by factors such as job opportunities, warmer climates, and lower cost of living.
107. Intervening obstacle - A negative environmental or cultural feature of the landscape that hinders migration
ex). A canyon prohibits one from traversing Arizona completely due to not being able to walk through it. This hinders one from migrating through.
108. Intervening opportunity - A positive environmental or cultural feature of the landscape that allows you to remain where you are
ex). The climate is too cold for one’s liking in Alaska, but over time, due to global warming, the climate warms and you are satisfied with where you are.
109. Intraregional migration - Permanent movement within one region of a country
ex). Residents of Chicago might move to suburban areas like Naperville or Schaumburg for more space, better schools, or a quieter environment.
110. Migration - A permanent move to a new location
ex). The immigrants migrated to America in search of “The American Dream”.
111. Migration transition - A change in the migration pattern in a society that results from industrialization, population growth, and other social or economic changes that also produces the demographic transition
ex). South Korea's migration transition shifted from rural-to-urban during industrialization (Stage 2) to urban-to-urban as the economy grew (Stage 3). Recently, there's been counterurbanization (Stage 4), with people moving to suburban and rural areas for better living conditions.
112. Mobility - All types of movements between locations
ex). A person commuting daily from their home to their workplace.
113. Net migration - The difference between the level of immigration and the level of emmigration
ex). The overall migration rate in Germany. If Germany receives 1 million immigrants in a year but sees 400,000 people emigrate, the net migration is positive at 600,000.
114. Place utility - A concept used to measure an individual’s satisfaction with a given location
ex). Relocating for a job. Suppose someone moves from a small town to a large city because the city offers better employment opportunities and higher wages. This move increases the person's place utility, as the new location better satisfies their needs and improves their overall quality of life.
115. Protracted Refugee - A situation where those in which at least 25,000 refugees from the same country have been living in exile for more than five consecutive years
ex). Many Syrians have been displaced for over a decade due to ongoing conflict, living in refugee camps in countries like Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. These prolonged stays often lead to refugees living in limbo without permanent solutions, facing challenges in accessing education, employment, and basic services.
116. Push Factors - A factor that induces people to move out of their present location
ex). High unemployment rates in a region force individuals to migrate to areas with better job markets.
117. Pull Factors - A factor that induces people to move to a new location
ex). The tech boom in Silicon Valley attracts skilled workers from around the world seeking better career opportunities.
118. Quotas - A law that places a maximum limit on the number of people who can immigrate to a country each year
ex). The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (1965): This act abolished previous national-origin quotas and established a new system favoring family reunification and skilled immigrants. It set annual limits on the number of immigrants from each country.
119. Refugees - Someone who is forced to migrate from their home country and cannot return for fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, or political opinion
ex). Many Syrians have fled their country due to war, and are refugees because of this.
120. Stateless Person - People who are not considered by any state as nationals; lost their citizenship
ex). A Rohingya individual from Myanmar. Due to the government's refusal to recognize the Rohingya as citizens, many of them are left without legal nationality. This stateless status means they lack access to basic rights and services such as education, healthcare, and legal protection.
121. Step migration - A type of migration where people move in a series of smaller, incremental steps rather than making a single, long-distance move
ex). A person from a rural area in Mexico might first move to a small town, then to a larger city within Mexico, and finally to the United States.
122. Suburbanization - A term used to describe the movement of people, businesses, and industries from urban centres to outlying areas
ex). Families moving from downtown Chicago to suburban neighborhoods like Naperville or Schaumburg.
123. Transhumance - The seasonal migration of livestock between mountains and lowland pastures
ex). In the Alps, herders move their cattle to high mountain pastures in the summer for grazing and then bring them down to lower valleys in the winter. This traditional practice helps optimize the use of available pasture resources and ensures the sustainability of livestock farming.
124. Urbanization - An increase in the percentage of and the number of people living in urban settlements
ex). Industrialization in the 19th century led to mass urbanization in cities like London and New York, transforming them into major economic and cultural centers..
125. Unauthorized immigrants - A person who enters a country without proper documents to do so
ex). Individuals from Central America entering the United States without legal permission.
126. Voluntary migration - Permanent movement undertaken by choice
ex). A tech worker moving from India to America for better employment.
127. Xenophobia - A dislike, hatred for, or fear of outsiders
ex). The backlash against Syrian refugees in various European countries. Fearing economic strain, cultural changes, and security threats, some local populations have exhibited hostility towards the refugees.
90. Activity Space - The space within which daily activity occurs
ex). The daily commute of a person from home to work or school. This concept refers to the area within which individuals move regularly as they go about their daily activities. For instance, a student's activity space might include their home, school, nearby parks, and places they frequently visit.
91. Asylum seeker - Someone who has migrated to a different country in the hope of being recognized as a refugee
ex). A Syrian refugee escaping the civil war and seeking asylum in Germany. This shows that the Syrian migrated to a different country in hopes of being recognized as a refugee and given a safe haven.
92. Brain drain/Brain gain - Large scale emigration and immigration by talented people
ex). A skilled doctor from India moving to the United States for better career opportunities, leading to a shortage of medical professionals in India; Tech professionals relocating to Silicon Valley, contributing to the technological advancements and economic growth of the U.S.
93. Chain migration - Migration of people to a specific location because relatives or members of the same nationality previously migrated there
ex). When a family member moves to a new country and then helps other family members follow them; a person from Mexico immigrates to the United States for better job opportunities. Once they establish themselves, they sponsor their relatives to join them. This leads to a chain reaction where family members gradually move to the new country, creating a community of migrants from the same origin.
94. Circulation Migration - The temporary movement of a migrant worker between home and host countries to seek employment
ex). Agricultural workers from Mexico might migrate to the United States for the harvest season and then return home once the season ends. This type of migration is temporary and repetitive, as individuals move back and forth in response to seasonal demands for labor.
95. Counterurbanization - Net migration from urban to rural areas in more developed countries
ex). Residents of a city like New York may relocate to the rural outskirts of upstate New York to escape the high cost of living, traffic, and noise. This movement is often driven by the desire for more space, a slower pace of life, and improved quality of life in less densely populated areas.
96. Diaspora - A dispersion of people from their homeland
ex). Over centuries, Jewish communities were dispersed from their homeland in the Middle East to various parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Africa. This dispersion has created widespread Jewish communities maintaining their cultural, religious, and historical identities while contributing to the diversity of their host countries.
97. Emigration - Migration from a location
ex). A skilled professional leaving India to work in Canada.
98. Floodplain - An area subject to flooding during a given number of years, according to historical trends
ex). The Sahara desert is not a floodplain, as it is not a location subject to flooding during a given number years due to its dry climate.
99. Forced Migration - Permanent movement, usually compelled by cultural factors
ex). Due to the ongoing civil war and violent conflict in Syria, millions of Syrians have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring countries like Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, as well as in Europe. This migration is involuntary and is forced upon those being moved.
100. Gravity Model - A model which holds that the potential use of a service at a particular location is directly related to the number of people in a location and inversely related to the distance people must travel to reach the service
ex). The interaction between New York City and Los Angeles. Despite the significant distance between them, these cities have strong economic and social ties due to their large populations and economic activities.
101. Guest worker - A term once used for a worker who migrated to the developed countries of Northern and Western Europe in search of a higher paying job
ex). During the 1950s and 60s, Germany invited workers from countries like Turkey, Italy, and Greece to fill labor shortages in various industries. These guest workers were allowed to work temporarily in Germany under specific contracts.
102. Immigration - Migration to a new location
ex). An individual moving from Mexico to the United States.
103. Internal Migration - Permanent movement within a particular country
ex). The movement of people from the Rust Belt to the Sunbelt in the United States
104. Internally displaced person - Someone who has been forced to migrate for similar political reasons as a refugee but has not migrated across an international boarder
ex). A person from a town Syria, who moves to a safer area within Syria due to ongoing violence, is considered an IDP. Unlike refugees, who cross international borders seeking safety, IDPs seek refuge within their own country, often facing similar hardships without the same legal protections and assistance from the international community.
105. International migration - Permanent movement from one country to another
ex). Someone moving from India to Canada. This type of migration involves crossing international borders and is often driven by the search for better job opportunities, higher education, or improved living conditions.
106. Interregional migration - Permanent movement from one region of a country to another
ex). Movement of people from the northeastern United States to the southwestern states like Arizona and Texas. This migration is often driven by factors such as job opportunities, warmer climates, and lower cost of living.
107. Intervening obstacle - A negative environmental or cultural feature of the landscape that hinders migration
ex). A canyon prohibits one from traversing Arizona completely due to not being able to walk through it. This hinders one from migrating through.
108. Intervening opportunity - A positive environmental or cultural feature of the landscape that allows you to remain where you are
ex). The climate is too cold for one’s liking in Alaska, but over time, due to global warming, the climate warms and you are satisfied with where you are.
109. Intraregional migration - Permanent movement within one region of a country
ex). Residents of Chicago might move to suburban areas like Naperville or Schaumburg for more space, better schools, or a quieter environment.
110. Migration - A permanent move to a new location
ex). The immigrants migrated to America in search of “The American Dream”.
111. Migration transition - A change in the migration pattern in a society that results from industrialization, population growth, and other social or economic changes that also produces the demographic transition
ex). South Korea's migration transition shifted from rural-to-urban during industrialization (Stage 2) to urban-to-urban as the economy grew (Stage 3). Recently, there's been counterurbanization (Stage 4), with people moving to suburban and rural areas for better living conditions.
112. Mobility - All types of movements between locations
ex). A person commuting daily from their home to their workplace.
113. Net migration - The difference between the level of immigration and the level of emmigration
ex). The overall migration rate in Germany. If Germany receives 1 million immigrants in a year but sees 400,000 people emigrate, the net migration is positive at 600,000.
114. Place utility - A concept used to measure an individual’s satisfaction with a given location
ex). Relocating for a job. Suppose someone moves from a small town to a large city because the city offers better employment opportunities and higher wages. This move increases the person's place utility, as the new location better satisfies their needs and improves their overall quality of life.
115. Protracted Refugee - A situation where those in which at least 25,000 refugees from the same country have been living in exile for more than five consecutive years
ex). Many Syrians have been displaced for over a decade due to ongoing conflict, living in refugee camps in countries like Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. These prolonged stays often lead to refugees living in limbo without permanent solutions, facing challenges in accessing education, employment, and basic services.
116. Push Factors - A factor that induces people to move out of their present location
ex). High unemployment rates in a region force individuals to migrate to areas with better job markets.
117. Pull Factors - A factor that induces people to move to a new location
ex). The tech boom in Silicon Valley attracts skilled workers from around the world seeking better career opportunities.
118. Quotas - A law that places a maximum limit on the number of people who can immigrate to a country each year
ex). The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (1965): This act abolished previous national-origin quotas and established a new system favoring family reunification and skilled immigrants. It set annual limits on the number of immigrants from each country.
119. Refugees - Someone who is forced to migrate from their home country and cannot return for fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, or political opinion
ex). Many Syrians have fled their country due to war, and are refugees because of this.
120. Stateless Person - People who are not considered by any state as nationals; lost their citizenship
ex). A Rohingya individual from Myanmar. Due to the government's refusal to recognize the Rohingya as citizens, many of them are left without legal nationality. This stateless status means they lack access to basic rights and services such as education, healthcare, and legal protection.
121. Step migration - A type of migration where people move in a series of smaller, incremental steps rather than making a single, long-distance move
ex). A person from a rural area in Mexico might first move to a small town, then to a larger city within Mexico, and finally to the United States.
122. Suburbanization - A term used to describe the movement of people, businesses, and industries from urban centres to outlying areas
ex). Families moving from downtown Chicago to suburban neighborhoods like Naperville or Schaumburg.
123. Transhumance - The seasonal migration of livestock between mountains and lowland pastures
ex). In the Alps, herders move their cattle to high mountain pastures in the summer for grazing and then bring them down to lower valleys in the winter. This traditional practice helps optimize the use of available pasture resources and ensures the sustainability of livestock farming.
124. Urbanization - An increase in the percentage of and the number of people living in urban settlements
ex). Industrialization in the 19th century led to mass urbanization in cities like London and New York, transforming them into major economic and cultural centers..
125. Unauthorized immigrants - A person who enters a country without proper documents to do so
ex). Individuals from Central America entering the United States without legal permission.
126. Voluntary migration - Permanent movement undertaken by choice
ex). A tech worker moving from India to America for better employment.
127. Xenophobia - A dislike, hatred for, or fear of outsiders
ex). The backlash against Syrian refugees in various European countries. Fearing economic strain, cultural changes, and security threats, some local populations have exhibited hostility towards the refugees.