HGAP MEGA Vocabulary - Flashcards

absolute direction exact direction using bearing or NSEW directions
absolute distance exact distance from one point to another using units of measurement
absolute location exact coordinate of a place using latitude and longitude
activity spaces the extent of which people move in their everyday lives
area distortion the misrepresentation of shape, space, distance, direction, or location between geographic features when compared to their true measurements on the earth’s surface
dispersal action of process of distributing things or people over a wide area
distance decay the interaction between two areas declines as the distance between them increases
distance distortion present on most maps, distance is distorted because the map is not following the spherical curvature of the earth, therefore the true distance between geographic locations is distorted
environmental determinism the theory that the environment cannot be shaped or fixed and that all of humanity and the organisms within must heel to the environment’s change
field observation physically visiting a place, location, or region and recording the information observed in that area
formal region a region defined by one predominant or universal characteristic throughout its entire area
friction of distance distance requires effort, energy, or money to overcome, therefore causing the friction, the lowered desire to travel distances. the friction of distance increases the further away two objects are from each other
functional region sometimes called a nodal region, a functional region is fixed around a specific node or focal point and has at least one system connecting the area (communications, sewage, transportation, trade, etc.)
geographic informaiton system (gis) uses computer-based tools to store, visualize, analyse, and interpret geographic data
geographical data data on the geography of an area
geospatial data identifies the distance and space between two geographic features
global scale viewed from a global perspective (e.g. GDP for all countries in the world)
land use how an area or piece of land is being used
landscape analysis analyzation of the cultural or geographic landscape of an area, observing details and traits of the region
local scale specific area with unique physical features (climate, topography, vegetation, etc.); the region varies in size
map projection includes robinson, mercator, goode-homolosine, polar, mollweide, azimuthal, gall-peters, etc.
map distortion all maps must be distorted in some shape or form as each one cannot correctly follow the 3D curvature of the earth
migration flow the direction or flow of people migrating from one place to another
national scale seen on a scale encompassing only the entirety of a nation
natural resources resources already existing and present in an area that are usually used for human benefits
pattern observable pieces of information when compared to other sets of data; trends seen between data
perceptual/vernacular region the idea of an area that people believe in (e.g. the U.S.A.’s South)
personal interview face-to-face conversation with interviewer and respondent
place one of the five main themes of geography, describes the physical and human characteristics of any location on earth
policy documents documents outlining the policies/rules of something
possibilism the theory that humans have the ability to adapt and alter their surroundings to their own benefit
reference maps maps used for reference; mostly geographically accurate and outlines points of interest (robinson, goode-homolosine, gall-peters, mercator)
regional analysis analysis of a specific region, takes into account the characteristics or traits found in that region
regional scale viewing data on a scale of a certain area (region)
relative direction approximate direction, not completely accurate, holds much ambiguity in the statement (e.g “over there”, “under the building”, “across the field”)
relative distance approximate distance, not completely accurate, holds much ambiguity in the statement (e.g. “it’s a short walk away”, “about as far as a football field”)
relative location approximate location, not completely accurate, holds much ambiguity in the statement (e.g. “it’s next to Costco”, “somewhere in the mall”, “around the tennis fields”)
remote sensing the process of taking pictures of the earth’s surface from satellites, airplanes, drones, or any other aerial device to provide a greater understanding of the earth’s geography over large distances
satellite imagery images of the earth taken specifically by satellites orbiting the planet. used for gis and remote sensing
satellite navigation system (GPS) network of satellites and receiving devices used to determine the location of something on earth
shape distortion distortion of something (e.g. longitude or latitude shrinkage, greenland is massive, the countries in the poles are extremely exaggerated, africa is super thin)
site exact location of something, used with latitude/longitude coordintes
situation location of a place in relativity to other places
space one of the five themes of geography, it is the distance between two areas
sustainability how capable a region is at providing for itself (e.g. cleaning up the environment, making sure that the area does not run out of food, using renewable energy sources)
thematic maps maps that show patterns or trends in data
time-space compression/convergence the set of processes that cause the relative distance between places to contract, making places seem closer (result of globalization and urbanization)
toponym alternate name for a place, named after something, usually a defining feature of the place but not necessarily (e.g. Georgia was named after King George, Louisiana was named after King Louis, Saskatchewan was named for “swift flowing river”
travel narratives account for a physical journey, detailing the ethnographic, biogeographic, or physical characteristics of an area

aging population a population in which the percentage that is age 65 and older is increasing relative to other age groups
Agricultural Population Density Ratio of the total number of farmers to the amount of land suitable for agriculture
Anti-Natalist Population Policies Government policies concerned with limiting population growth.
arable land land suitable for growing crops
Arithmetic Population Density the population of a country divided by its total land area
asylum seeker Type of refugee who is attempting to gain legal status, protection, and entry into a new country.
Boserup Theory Population growth stimulates intensification in agricultural development- opposite of Malthus theory.
carrying capacity Largest number of individuals of a population that an environment can support
Cartogram a map on which statistical information is shown in diagrammatic form - distorts shape/size to show compare data
Census the official count of a population
Chain Migration pattern of migration that develops when migrants move along and through kinship links
Contraception Intentionally preventing pregnancy from occurring
Counterurbanization Net migration from urban to rural areas in more developed countries.
Crude Birth Rate (CBR) The total number of live births in a year for every 1,000 people alive in the society.
Crude Death Rate (CDR) The total number of deaths in a year for every 1,000 people alive in the society.
Cyclic Movement Movement - for example, nomadic migration, migrant farmers - that has closed route and is repeated annually or seasonally
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) A sequence of demographic changes in which a country moves from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates through time.
Demography The scientific study of population characteristics and changes.
dependency ratio The number of people under age 15 and over age 65 compared to the number of people active in the labor force
doubling time The number of years needed to double a population, assuming a constant rate of natural increase.
Ecumene The portion of Earth's surface occupied by permanent human settlement.
Ehrlich theory explosive population growth
Emigration migration of individuals out of an area
Epidemiological Transition Model (ETM) A model highlighting the distinctive causes of death in each stage of the demographic transition
eugenic population policies Government policies designed to favor one racial sector over others
expansive population policies Government policies that encourage large families and raise the rate of population growth
family planning Providing information and services to help people choose the number and spacing of children they want to have.
Forced Migration Human migration flows in which the movers have no choice but to relocate, often compelled by cultural factors
GDP Gross Domestic Product- the total market value of all final goods and services produced annually in an economy
Guest Workers Workers who legally migrate to the more developed countries in search of higher-paying jobs.
Immigration Movement of individuals into a population
Immigration Policies government laws that decides who can enter a country
infant mortality rate (IMR) The total number of deaths in a year among infants under one year of age for every 1,000 live births in a society.
infrastructure the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, power supplies, communication networks) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Internal Migration permanent movement within the same country
Internally Displaced Person (IDP) someone who is forced to flee their home but who remains within their country's borders
International Migration Permanent movement from one country to another.
Interregional Migration Permanent movement from one region to another
intervening obstacle An environmental or cultural feature of the landscape that hinders migration (e.g. Mediterranean Sea, Walls, mountain range).
intervening opportunity An environmental or cultural feature of the landscape that helps migration (e.g. NGO help with refugees).
Intraregional Migration Permanent movement within one region.
Less Developed Country (LDC) A country that is at a relatively early stage in the process of economic development. Also referred as Low-income
life expectancy The average number of years an individual can be expected to live, given current social, economic, and medical conditions.
Literacy Rate The percentage of a country's people who can read and write.
Malthusian Theory The theory that population grows faster than food supply and other resources
Medical Revolution Improved medical practices have eliminated many of the traditional causes of death in poorer countries and enabled more people to live longer and healthier lives.
Migration movement of people from one place to another
More Developed Country (MDC) A country that has progressed relatively far along a continuum of development. High-income
Neo-Mathusians people who believe in a set of doctrines derived from Thomas Malthus's theory that limited resources keep populations in check and reduce economic growth
newly developing country (ndc) a nation whose GDP per capita and other measures of well-being fall well below the world average but that is beginning to be engaged in industrial and other developments
Nomadism A way of life, forced by a scarcity of resources, in which groups of people continually migrate to find resources.
Overpopulation The number of people in an area exceeds the capacity of the environment to support life at a decent standard of living.
periodic movement movement that involves temporary, recurrent relocation
Physiological Population Density The number of people per unit area of arable land
population density A measurement of the number of people per given unit of land
population distribution how population is spread out in an area
Population Pyramid A graph that represents the distribution of population by age and sex
primary economic activity economic activity concerned with the direct extraction of natural resources from the environment-- such as mining, fishing, lumbering, and especially agriculture
secondary economic activity economic activity involving the processing of raw materials and their transformation into finished industrial products; the manufacturing sector; construction
tertiary economic activity Economic activity associated with the provision of services - such as transportation, medical, retail, small business, banking/finance, education, public service, and routine office-based jobs.
quaternary economic activity highly technical and creative fields such as scientific research, technological innovations
Pro-Natalist Policies Government policies to increase the rate of natural increase
Pull Factors of Immigration factors that attracts migrants to a new area (jobs, safety/security, way of life, reconnecting with family…)
Push Factors of Immigration factors that forces people to move away from their home (famine, war, safety, poverty, environmental…)
Natural Increase Rate The percentage growth of a population in a year, computed as the crude birth rate minus the crude death rate.
Ravenstein's Laws of Migration framework to explain migration
Refugees People who are forced to migrate from their home country and cannot return for fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion.
Remittances Money migrants send back to family and friends in their home countries, often in cash, forming an important part of the economy in many poorer countries
restrictive population policies Government policies designed to reduce the rate of natural increase
Rural-urban migration the movement of people from the rural countryside to the urban city, often drawn by opportunities
sex ratio The number of males per 100 females in the population.
step migration Migration to a distant destination that occurs in stages, for example, from farm to nearby village and later to a town and city
Total Fertility Rate (TFR) The average number of children a woman will have throughout her childbearing years.
Transhumance A seasonal periodic movement of pastoralists and their livestock between highland and lowland pastures
transnational migration regular movement of a person between two or more countries
Unauthroized Immigrants immigrants without the proper documentation
Voluntary Migration Permanent movement undertaken by choice.

Acculturation The adoption of cultural traits, such as language, by one group under the influence of another.
Assimilation Process of less dominant cultures losing their culture to a more dominant culture
Buddhism Belief system that started in India in the 500s BC. Happiness can be achieved through removal of one's desires. Believers seek enlightenment and the overcoming of suffering.
centrifugal force a force that divides people and countries
centripetal force An attitude that tends to unify people and enhance support for a state
Christianity Monotheistic religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or its beliefs and practices.
Colonialism Attempt by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political, economic, and cultural principles in another territory.
Contagious Diffusion the rapid, widespread spread of a characteristic throughout the population
creolized language A language that results from the mixing of a colonizer's language with the indigenous language of the people being dominated. A pidgin language that has become more popular and formal
Cultural convergence the contact and interaction of one culture with another
Cultural divergence The likelihood or tendency for cultures to become increasingly dissimilar with the passage of time.
Cultural landscape the visible imprint of human activity and culture on the physical & built environment
Cultural relativism the practice of judging a culture by its own standards; can lead to multi
Culture Beliefs, customs, and traditions of a specific group of people. Included tangible and intangible aspects.
culture trait a single attribute of a culture
Dialect A regional variety of a language distinguished by vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation.
Diffusion The process of spread of a feature or trend from one place to another over time
Ethnic Neighborhood an area within a city containing members of the same ethnic background
Ethnic religions religion appealing primarily to one group of people living in one place (Judaism)
Ethnicitiy Based on culture, Identity with a group of people
Ethnocentrism Belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group.
Expansion Diffusion The spread of a feature or trend among people from one area to another in a snowballing process.
Gender roles sets of behavioral norms assumed to accompany one's status as male or female
Hearths Regions from which innovative ideas originate.
Hierarchical Diffusion The spread of an idea from persons or nodes of authority or power to other persons or places
Hinduism A religion and philosophy developed in ancient India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a supreme being who takes many forms
Imperialism A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
Indigenous communities original inhabitants of an area (eg Native Americans, Aboriginals, Maori, First Nations)
Indo European languages
Islam A religion based on the teachings of the prophet Mohammed which stresses belief in one god (Allah), Followers are called Muslims. Began in Mecca
Judaism the monotheistic religion of the Jews having its spiritual and ethical principles embodied chiefly in the Torah and in the Talmud
language our spoken, written, or signed words and the ways we combine them to communicate meaning
language families large groups of languages having similar roots
lingua franca a language used among speakers of different languages for the purposes of trade and commerce
linguistic having to do with the structure of language
Multiculturalism A perspective recognizing the cultural diversity and promoting equal standing for all cultural traditions
Post Modern Architecture A reaction in architectural design to the feeling of sterile alienation that many people get from modern architecture. Uses older, historical styles and a sense of lightheartedness and eclecticism. Buildings combine pleasant
Race Based on physical characteristics derived from biological differences sometimes stemming from environmental adaptations
Relocation diffusion The spread of a feature or trend through movement of people from one place to another.
sequent occupance the notion that successive societies leave their cultural imprints on a place, each contributing to the cumulative cultural landscape
Sikhism the doctrines of a monotheistic religion founded in northern India in the 16th century by Guru Nanak
Stimulus Diffusion The spread of an underlying principle, even though a specific characteristic is rejected.
Syncretism The unification or blending of opposing people, ideas, or practices, frequently in the realm of religion
Time space convergence
Toponyms place names
traditional architecture buildings use building materials available and reflect social/environmental customs of the people eg log cabins
Universalizing Religion A religion that attempts to appeal to all people, not just those living in a particular location.

Nation a group of people with a common culture living in a territory and having a strong sense of unity
nation-state A state whose territory corresponds to that occupied by a particular ethnicity that has been transformed into a nationality
multinational state State that contains two or more ethnic groups with traditions of self-determination that agree to coexist peacefully by recognizing each other as distinct nationalities.
Self-determination Concept that ethnicities have the right to govern themselves
Colonialism the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
Neocolonialism A new form of global power relationships that involves not direct political control but economic exploitation by multinational corporations, fueled by globalization
Sovereignty Ability of a state to govern its territory free from control of its internal affairs by other states.
Territoriality the defense of a bounded physical space against encroachment by other individuals
stateless nation nation that does not have a state (Kurds)
political boundaries lines that define the border of a country or state
Fronteir A zone separating two states in which neither state exercises political control.
irrendentism regain control over a territory that was once yours
delimination boundary process The phase in which the exact location of a boundary is legally described and negotiated
Demarcated Boundary identified by physical
objects place on the landscape, such as a sign,
wall, or fence.
antecedent boundary a boundary that existed before the cultural landscape emerged and stayed in place while people moved in to occupy the surrounding area…
subsequent boundary a boundary that developed with the evolution of the cultural landscape and is adjusted as the cultural landscape changes…
consequent boundary a boundary line that coincides with some cultural divide, such as religion or language
relict boundaries A boundary that has ceased to function, but whose imprints are still evident in the cultural
landscape
superimposed boundary a boundary line placed over and ignoring an existing cultural pattern
geometric boundary Political boundaries that are defined and delimited by straight lines.
physical boundary Political boundaries that correspond with prominent physical features such as mountain ranges or rivers.
choke point a strategic, narrow waterway between two larger bodies of water
Berlin Wall A wall separating East and West Berlin built by East Germany in 1961 to keep citizens from escaping to the West
Law of the Sea Law establishing states rights and responsibilities concerning the ownership and use of the earth's seas and oceans and their resources.
EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) The 200 nautical miles from a nation's shoreline of protected resources and economic activity
Contiguous Zone Between 12 and 24 nautical miles from shore, a state may enforce laws concerning pollution, taxation, customs, and immigration
Territorial Sea states' navigational and economic sovereign territory extending 12 nautical miles (1 nautical mile = 1.15 statute miles) from the coast (since 1982); foreign ships (both military and civilian) are allowed innocent passage through it; sovereignty also extends to the airspace over and seabed below.
Gerrtmandering practice of redistricting to benefit a particular party
Redistricting The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.
voting districts generic term adopted by the Bureau of the Census to include the wide variety of small polling areas, such as election districts, precincts, or wards, that State and local governments create for the purpose of administering elections
Supranationalism term applied to associations created by three or more states for their mutual benefit and achievement of shared objectives
European Union an association of European nations formed in 1993 for the purpose of achieving political and economic integration.
African Union organization formed in 2002 to promote unity among African states and to foster development and end poverty
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) A 1949 defense alliance initiated by the US, Canada, and 10 Western European nations
United Nations An international organization formed after WWII to promote international peace, security, and cooperation.
NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) Allows open trade between the US, Mexico, and Canada.
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) An international organization linking together the 10 most important countries of Southeast Asia
UN Security Council A body of five great powers (which can veto resolutions) and ten rotating member states, which makes decisions about international peace and security including the dispatch of UN peacekeeping forces.
Federal State allocates strong power to units of local government within the country
Unitary State An internal organization of a state that places most power in the hands of central government officials
centrifugal force a force that divides people and countries
centripetal force An attitude that tends to unify people and enhance support for a state
Ethnonationalism the tendency for an ethnic group to see itself as a distinct nation with a right to autonomy or independence. A fundamental centrifugal force.
Devolution the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the federal government to the states
ethnic cleansing Process in which more powerful ethnic group forcibly removes a less powerful one in order to create an ethnically homogeneous region
Genocide Deliberate extermination of a racial or cultural group
Shatterbelt a region caught between stronger colliding external cultural-political forces, under persistent stress, and often fragmented by aggressive rivals (e.g., Israel or Kashmir today; Eastern Europe during the Cold War,…).
Balkanization Process by which a state breaks down through conflicts among its ethnicities
Terrorism Acts of violence designed to promote a specific ideology or agenda by creating panic among an enemy population

Agriculture farming
Agribusiness Commercial agriculture characterized by integration of different steps in the food-processing industry, usually through ownership by large corporations. Includes economic and political relationships that organize food production for commercial purposes. It includes activities ranging from seed production, to retailing, to consumption of agricultural products.
Aquaculture The cultivation of marine and freshwater fish under controlled conditions
Bid rent theory geographical economic theory that refers to how the price and demand on real estate changes as the distance towards the market increases.
Cadastral System the method of land survey through which land ownership and property lines are defined
Carrying Capacity Largest number of individuals of a population that an environment can support
Clustered rural settlement an agricultural-based or rural community in which a number of families live in close proximity to each other, with fields surrounding the collection of houses and farm buildings
Columbian Exchange The exchange of goods, foods, and ideas between the Americans and Europe
Commercial Agriculture Agriculture undertaken primarily to generate products for sale off the farm (profit).
Commodity chain A link of activities from the manufacturing to the distribution of a product
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) A system in which consumers pay farmers in advance for a share of their yield, usually in the form of weekly deliveries of food/produce.
Conservation Efforts Human activities that help to keep the natural resources of Earth available and clear of pollution
Deforestation The removal of trees faster than forests can replace themselves.
Desertification the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.
Dispersed rural settlement A rural settlement pattern characterized by isolated farms rather than clustered villages.
Eat Local Movement to connect food producers and food consumers in the same geographic region, in order to develop more self-reliant and resilient food networks; improve local economies; or to have an impact on the health, environment, community, or society of a particular place.
Export commodities goods or services sold to a foreign country
Extensive Farming Practices an agricultural production system involving large area of land that uses relatively small inputs of labor, fertilizers, and capital (ranching, grain crops)
Fair trade An alternative to international trade that emphasizes small businesses and worker-owned and democratically run cooperatives and requires employers to pay workers fair wages, permit union organization, and comply with minimum environmental and safety standards.
Farm to Table Path of food from the growth of raw product, through processing, preparation, and presentation, to the final consumer. Usually in a small geographic area. Serving local food. Similar to eat local movement.
Feedlot a small plot of land on which large numbers of livestock are fattened for market
CAFOs Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
Fertile Crescent an area of rich farmland in Southwest Asia where the first civilizations and agricultural began
Fertilizer a chemical or natural substance added to soil or land to increase its fertility
First Agricultural Revolution Dating back 10,000 years, it achieved plant domestication and animal domestication.
Food desert An area characterized by a lack of affordable, fresh and nutritious food. Often in poorer areas of a developed country
Food insecurity a condition in which people do not have adequate access to food
GMO (genetically modified organism) Plant or animal whose genetic makeup has been changed.
Green Revolution Agricultural revolution that increased production through improved seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation; helped to support rising Asian populations.
Independent invention development of the same culture trait or pattern in separate cultures as a result of comparable needs and circumstances
Intensive Farming Practices requires a lot of labor and capital and usually a smaller amount of land area. market crops, dairy farming, feedlots, fruit/vegetable picking, wool
Intercropping An agricultural method in which two or more crop species are planted in the same field at the same time in proximity to each other to promote a synergistic interaction.
Intertillage Tillage (overturning the soil) between rows of crops of plants.
Irrigation A way of artificially supplying water to an area of land, usually through canals, pipes, hose systems
Linear settlement a pattern of settlements in which homes, other buildings, businesses, even farms follow paths like roads, rivers, canals, etc
Long-lot survey system divided land into narrow parcels stretching back from rivers, roads, or canals. French did this a lot
Market gardening The small scale production of fruits, vegetables, and flowers as cash crops sold directly to local consumers. Distinguishable by the large diversity of crops grown on a small area of land, during a single growing season. Labor is done manually.
Mediterranean climate a climate marked by warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters, good for grapes, olives, pine nuts
Metes and Bounds A term used in describing the boundary lines of land, setting forth all the boundary lines together with their terminal points and angles. Metes (length or measurements) and Bounds (boundaries) description is often used when a great deal of accuracy is required.
Mixed crop planting different crops together so they grow together
mixed crop and livestock farming both animal and crops are farmed in the same area, it's helpful because farmers could distribute the workload more evenly through the year and help naturally fertilize the soil
Monocropping practice of cultivating a single crop species each growing season
Monoculture practice of cultivating one and the same crop on the same piece of land every cropping season (same crop grown year after year)
Multicropping multiple crops grow in close proximity to each other (intercropping is an example)
Nomadic herding the raising of livestock by moving herds from place to place to find pasture and water, extensive farming method
Organic farming Use of natural substances rather than chemical fertilizers and pesticides to enrich the soil and grow crops. A method of farming that does not use artificial means such as synthetic pesticides and herbicides, antibiotics, and bioengineering. Refers to the farming practice
Pastoral Nomadism move cyclically in an established territory with domesticated livestock
Pesticide A chemical intended to kill insects and other organisms that damage crops. There are also natural pesticides like neem oil
Plantation agriculture Production system based on a large estate owned by an individual, family, or corporation and organized to produce a cash crop. Many plantations were established within the tropics; in recent decades, many have been divided into smaller holdings or reorganized as cooperatives
Ranching A form of commercial agriculture in which livestock, usually cattle, graze over an extensive area.
Rectangular survey system Also called the Public Land Survey, the system was used by the US Land Office Survey to parcel land west of the Appalachian Mountains. The system divides land into a series of rectangular parcels. Use Google Earth to look at Iowa for an example
Regenerative farming Farming techniques and land stewardship that restore the health and productivity of the soil by rotating crops, livestock, planting ground cover, protecting the surface with crop residue, and reducing synthetic chemical inputs and mechanical compaction.
Runoff water that flows over the ground surface rather than soaking into the ground
Rural Settlement Patterns farms, villages, or towns that have any of the following patterns- dispersed, clustered, or linear
Second Agricultural Revolution improved methods of cultivation, harvesting, and storage of farm produce, increase in machinery, increase in yield, resulted in less farm workers, migration to urban areas
Shifting cultivation A form of subsistence agriculture in which people shift activity from one field to another; each field is used for crops for relatively few years and left fallow for a relatively long period.
Slash and burn A farming method involving the cutting of trees, then burning them to provide ash-enriched soil and space for the planting of crops
Soil vs dirt soil is living and vital to agriculture
dirt is dead
Soil sanitation salt buildup in the soil, which can hinder the growth of crops
Subsistence agriculture Self-sufficient agriculture that is small scale and low technology and emphasizes food production for family/local consumption, not for trade.
Sustainability The ability to keep in existence or maintain. A sustainable ecosystem is one that can be maintained
Terracing creating flat platforms in the hillside that provide a level planting surface, which reduces soil runoff from the slope.
Third Agricultural Revolution Currently in progress, has as its principal orientation the development of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's), highly efficient, technological, mechanized, profitable, large-scale
Township and range rigid grid-like pattern used to facilitate the dispersal of settlers evenly across farmlands
Truck farming Commercial gardening and fruit farming, so named because truck was a Middle English word meaning bartering or the exchange of commodities.
Urban farming The growing of fruits, herbs, and vegetables and raising animals in towns and cities, a process that is accompanied by many other activities such as processing and distributing food, collecting and reusing food waste.
Value-added specialty crops "value added" goods have some other product in them or item attached to them to make them unique and able to sell at higher price.
von Thunen Model An agricultural model that spatially describes agricultural activity in terms of rent. Activities that require intensive cultivation and cannot be transported over great distances pay higher rent to be close to the market. Conversely, activities that are more extensive , with goods that are easy to transport, are located farther from the market where rent is less. concentric rings

African City Model model that suggests that African cities have more than one CBD, which is a remanence of colonialism
air quality The condition of the air based on the amount of pollution in it
Bid rent theory geographical economic theory that refers to how the price and demand on real estate changes as the distance towards the Central Business District (CBD) increases.
Blockbusting Illegal practice of inducing homeowners to sell their properties by telling them that a certain people of a certain race, national origin or religion are moving into the area
Boomburbs rapidly growing city that remains essentially suburban in character even as it reaches populations more typical of a large city
Brownfields abandoned contaminated industrial or commercial sites that may require environmental cleanup before they can be redeveloped or expanded
Burgess Concentric Zone Model A model of the internal structure of cities in which social groups are spatially arranged in a series of rings.
Census A complete enumeration of a population.
Christaller's Central Place Theory A theory that explains the distribution of services, based on the fact that settlements serve as centers of market areas for services; larger settlements are fewer and farther apart than smaller settlements and provide services for a larger number of people who are willing to travel farther. Range and threshold
City Government the government of the local town or incorporate, provides services
City infrastructure The infrastructure is the basic services that are available in a city. It includes things like roads, electricity, water
Climate change a change in global or regional climate patterns due to a warming planet which scientists have discovered is partially caused by human activities (eg carbon emissions)
county government the government unit that administers a county
de facto segregation Segregation resulting from economic or social conditions, but not by law.
Decentralization Degree to which decision-making authority is given to lower levels in an organization's hierarchy.
Disamenity Zones The very poorest parts of cities that in extreme cases are not connected to regular city services and are sometimes controlled by gangs and drug lords.
ecological footprint the impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.
edge cities A term introduced by Joel Garreau in order to describe the shifting focus of urbanization in the United States away from the CBD toward new loci of economic activity at the urban fringe. These cities are characterized by extensive amounts of office and retail space, few residential areas, and modern buildings
Energy Use city activities require lots of electricity and energy to function
Exurbs communities that arise farther out than the suburbs and are typically populated by residents of high socioeconomic status
Farmland Protection A joint effort by non-governmental organizations and local governments to set aside and protect examples of a region's farmland for the use, education and enjoyment of future generations.
field studies a method that involves observing everyday activities as they happen in a natural setting
food desert an area typically in a highly populated, lower income urban environment, where healthy, fresh food is difficult to find
Galactic City Model represents the post-industrial city with its several, dispersed business districts. This model represents a distinct decentralization of the commercial urban landscape as the economy has transitioned to services as the leading form of production. Manufacturing has declined significantly and become specialized.
Gentrification A process of converting an urban neighborhood from a predominantly low-income renter-occupied area to a predominantly middle-class owner-occupied area.
Gravity Model A model that 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.
greenbelts A ring of land maintained as parks, agriculture, or other types of open space to limit the sprawl of an urban area.
Griffin-Ford Model Developed by geographers Ernst Griffin and Larry Ford, a model of the Latin American city showing a blend of traditional elements of Latin American culture with the forces of globalization that are reshaping the urban scene.
Harris-Ullman Multiple Nuclei Model A model of the internal structure of cities in which social groups are arranged around a collection of nodes of activities. Model developed for a North American city, shows loss of dominance of CBD, includes shifting of CBD into suburbs.
Housing Density the number of dwelling units per unit of area
housing discrimination The illegal practice of denying an individual or group the right to buy or rent a home based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or family status.
Hoyt Sector Model A model of the internal structure of a city in which social groups are arranged around a series of sectors or wedges radiating out from the CBD.
Infilling The process by which population density in an urban centre is increased by building on waste land or underused land.
Megacities cities with more than 10 million people
Metacity A conurbation with more than 20 million people
Mixed land use development urban or suburban development mixing residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, cultural uses in integrated ways
New Urbanism A movement in urban planning to promote mixed use commercial and residential development and pedestrian friendly, community orientated cities. New urbanism is a reaction to the sprawling, automobile centered cities of the mid twentieth century.
periphery the outermost part or boundary (edges of urban areas)
primate city The largest settlement in a country, if it has more than twice as many people as the second-ranking settlement.
rank-size rule In a model urban hierarchy, the idea that the population of a city or town will be inversely proportional to its rank in the hierarchy. A pattern of settlements in a country, such that the nth largest settlement is 1/n the population of the largest settlement.
Redlining A process by which banks draw lines on a map and refuse to lend money to purchase or improve property within the boundaries. Illegal but was still uses, and the impacts are still present
semi-periphery places where core and periphery processes are both occurring; places that are exploited by the core but in turn exploit the periphery
Site factors Location factors related to the costs of factors of production inside the plant, such as land, labor, and capital.
Situation factors Location factors related to the transportation of materials into and from a factory.
Slow-growth cities urban communities where the planners have put into place smart growth initiatives to decrease the rate at which the city grows horizontally to avoid the adverse effects of sprawl
smart growth policies any policy that tries to prevent the demanding effects of suburban sprawl and urban fragmentation
Southeast Asian City Model Terry (T.G.) McGee developed a model showing similar land-use patterns among medium sized cities of Southeast Asia. Its focal point is the old colonial port zone. The model also does not find any CBD in Asia, but rather he found elements of the CBD present as separate clusters surrounding the port zone.
sprawl Development of new housing sites at relatively low density and at locations that are not contiguous to the existing built-up area.
Squatter Settlement An area within a city in a less developed country in which people illegally establish residences on land they do not own or rent and erect homemade structures.
Suburbanization Movement of upper and middle-class people from urban core areas to the surrounding outskirts to escape pollution as well as deteriorating social conditions (perceived and actual). In North America, the process began in the early nineteenth century and became a mass phenomenon by the second half of the twentieth century.
suburban sprawl low-population-density developments that are built outside of a city
Sustainable Design Initiatives Communities that use smart growth and green building techniques to create neighborhoods that are economically thriving and environmentally responsible
Transportation-oriented development is a mixed-use residential and commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport, and often incorporates features to encourage transit ridership. A TOD neighborhood typically has a center with a transit station or stop (train station, metro station, tram stop, orbus stop), surrounded by relatively high-density development with progressively lower-density development spreading outward from the center.
urban growth boundaries a restriction on development outside a designated area
Urban Hearths Original areas of urban areas: Mesopotamia (Fertile Crescent), Indus River Valley, Nile River Valley, Yellow River Valley, and Mesoamerica
Urbanization An increase in the percentage and in the number of people living in urban settlements.
urban hierarchy A ranking of settlements according to their size and economic functions.
urban models try to show how different cities have similar spatial relationships and economic or social structures
urban renewal rebuilding of the poor areas of a city
Walkability the overall level of comfort, access, enjoyment, and connectivity of an area that facilitates walking
water quality used to describe the health of a water system
World Cities A group of cities that form an interconnected, internationally dominant system of global control of finance and commerce
Zones of Abandonment areas that have been deserted in a city for economic or environmental reasons
Zoning practices land-use planning technique to divide certain areas of city into specific uses
Government Fragmentation Several local, and sometimes state or federal, government agencies that are in charge of different aspects of the urban environment. Need to work together, but that is difficult

Agglomeration Grouping together of many firms from the same industry in a single area for collective or cooperative use of infrastructure and sharing of labor resources.
Least Cost Theory (Alfred Weber) Businesses seek locations that minimize transportation and labor costs.
Break of
Colonialism Attempt by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political, economic, and cultural principles in another territory.
Commodity Theory the scarcer something is, the more desirable it becomes
Complementary advantage when both parties have goods or services that the other party desires
Comparative advantage the ability to produce a good at a lower opportunity cost than another producer
Core countries industrialized former colonial states that dominate the world economic system
Debt crisis The massive accumulation of loans taken out by third world countries and owed to northern banks and governments from the 1970s onward
Dependency theory a model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of the historical exploitation of poor nations by rich ones
Economies of scale factors that cause a producer's average cost per unit to fall as output rises
Ecotourism the practice and business of recreational travel based on concern for the environment
Export processing zones
Fordist methods Manufacturing process broken down into differentiated components, with different groups of people performing different tasks to complete the product.
Formal Economy The legal economy that is taxed and monitored by a government and is included in a government's Gross National Product; as opposed to an informal economy
Fossil fuels Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.
Free trade agreements Goal is to increase trade among countries by reducing tariffs (NAFTA
Gender empowerment Compares the ability of women and men to participate in economic and political decision making.
Gender Inequality Index (GII) A measure of the extent of each country's gender inequality
Global financial crisis The economic crashes that happened internationally due to the globalization of the world's economy. Problems in some countries (Europe and the United States), caused financial problems in countries that trade with them.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) A measurement of the total goods and services produced within a country.
Gross National Income (GNI) per capita the figure that results from dividing a country's GNI by the total population
Gross National Product (GNP) The total value of goods and services, including income received from abroad, produced by the residents of a country within a specific time period, usually one year.
Growth poles economic activities that are deliberately organized around one or more high
High technology industries Companies that support the growth and development of sophisticated technologies. It is a very new industry that has rapidly transformed many cities and countries.
Human Development Index Indicator of level of development for each country, constructed by United Nations, combining income, literacy, education, and life expectancy
Imperialism A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
Income distribution The way the national income is divided into "shares" ranging from the poor to the rich.
Industrialization The development of industries for the machine production of goods.
Infant mortality rates Annual number of deaths of infants(one and under) compared to the number of live births
informal economy Economic activity that is neither taxed nor monitored by a government; and is not included in that government's Gross National Product; as opposed to a formal economy
international division of labor The process where the assembing procedures for a product are spread out through different parts of the world
International Monetary Fund a United Nations agency to promote trade by increasing the exchange stability of the major currencies
Just in
Labor market participation
Literacy rates percentage of people who can read and write
Manufacturing The process of making a raw material into a finished product; especially in large quantities.
Markets Bring buyers and sellers together to exchange goods and services
MERCOSUR Pact among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay to establish a free trade area
Microloans Small
Multiplier effects the idea that every one dollar of government spending creates more than one dollar in economic activity
Neoliberal policies economic policies that are predicated on a minimalist role for the state, assuming the desirability of free markets as the ideal condition not only for economic organization but also for political and social life
OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Outsourcing A decision by a corporation to turn over much of the responsibility for production to independent suppliers.
Post Fordist methods of production
Primary sector The portion of the economy concerned with the direct extraction of materials from Earth's surface, generally through agriculture, although sometimes by mining, fishing, and forestry.
Public transportation projects a public project in development or under construction to provide a new transportation facility or to improve or maintain the existing system of state highways.
Quaternary sector Service sector industries concerned with the collection, processing, and manipulation of information and capital. Examples include finance, administration, insurance, and legal services.
Quinary sector Service sector industries that require a high level of specialized knowledge or technical skill. Examples include scientific research and high
Renewable energy A resource that has a theoretically unlimited supply and is not depleted when used by humans.
Reproductive health issues of safe sex, prevention and treatment of STIs, contraception, fertility and infertility, sexual health, pregnancy, and childbirth
Stages of Economic Growth A theory developed by Walt Rostow in which five stages of economic organization are recognized: traditional society, preconditions for takeoff, takeoff, drive to maturity, and high mass consumption.
Secondary sector The portion of the economy concerned with manufacturing useful products through processing, transforming, and assembling raw materials.
Semi periphery countries
Service Sectors Produces intangible goods, more precisely services instead of goods and is comprised of various service industries.
Small scale finance
Special economic zones specific area within a country in which tax incentives and less stringent environmental regulations are implemented to attract foreign business and investment
Sustainable development Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Tariffs Taxes on imported goods
Tertiary sector The portion of the economy concerned with transportation, communications, and utilities, sometimes extended to the provision of all goods and services to people in exchange for payment.
World System Theory (Immanuel Wallerstein) One world connected by a network of economic exchange relationship// control flows from Core
least cost theory (Weber)
World Trade Organization Administers the rules governing trade between its 144 members. Helps producers, importers, and exporters conduct their business and ensure that trade flows smoothly.
Agglomeration Grouping together of many firms from the same industry in a single area for collective or cooperative use of infrastructure and sharing of labor resources.
Least Cost Theory (Alfred Weber) Businesses seek locations that minimize transportation and labor costs.
Break-of-bulk point A location where transfer is possible from one mode of transportation to another.
Colonialism Attempt by one country to establish settlements and to impose its political, economic, and cultural principles in another territory.
Commodity Theory the scarcer something is, the more desirable it becomes
Complementary advantage when both parties have goods or services that the other party desires
Comparative advantage the ability to produce a good at a lower opportunity cost than another producer
Core countries industrialized former colonial states that dominate the world economic system
Debt crisis The massive accumulation of loans taken out by third world countries and owed to northern banks and governments from the 1970s onward
Dependency theory a model of economic and social development that explains global inequality in terms of the historical exploitation of poor nations by rich ones
Economies of scale factors that cause a producer's average cost per unit to fall as output rises
Ecotourism the practice and business of recreational travel based on concern for the environment
Export-processing zones zones established by many countries in the periphery and semi-periphery where they offer favorable tax, regulatory, and trade arrangements to attract foreign trade and investment
Fordist methods Manufacturing process broken down into differentiated components, with different groups of people performing different tasks to complete the product.
Formal Economy The legal economy that is taxed and monitored by a government and is included in a government's Gross National Product; as opposed to an informal economy
Fossil fuels Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.
Free trade agreements Goal is to increase trade among countries by reducing tariffs (NAFTA - no tariffs between US, Canada, and Mexico)
Gender empowerment Compares the ability of women and men to participate in economic and political decision making.
Gender Inequality Index (GII) A measure of the extent of each country's gender inequality
Global financial crisis The economic crashes that happened internationally due to the globalization of the world's economy. Problems in some countries (Europe and the United States), caused financial problems in countries that trade with them.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) A measurement of the total goods and services produced within a country.
Gross National Income (GNI) per capita the figure that results from dividing a country's GNI by the total population
Gross National Product (GNP) The total value of goods and services, including income received from abroad, produced by the residents of a country within a specific time period, usually one year.
Growth poles economic activities that are deliberately organized around one or more high-growth industries.
High technology industries Companies that support the growth and development of sophisticated technologies. It is a very new industry that has rapidly transformed many cities and countries.
Human Development Index Indicator of level of development for each country, constructed by United Nations, combining income, literacy, education, and life expectancy
Imperialism A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force.
Income distribution The way the national income is divided into "shares" ranging from the poor to the rich.
Industrialization The development of industries for the machine production of goods.
Infant mortality rates Annual number of deaths of infants(one and under) compared to the number of live births
informal economy Economic activity that is neither taxed nor monitored by a government; and is not included in that government's Gross National Product; as opposed to a formal economy
international division of labor The process where the assembing procedures for a product are spread out through different parts of the world
International Monetary Fund a United Nations agency to promote trade by increasing the exchange stability of the major currencies
Just-in-time delivery Shipment of parts and materials to arrive at a factory moments before they are needed
Labor-market participation A statistic that determines what percentage of an age group or gender is currently working
Literacy rates percentage of people who can read and write
Manufacturing The process of making a raw material into a finished product; especially in large quantities.
Markets Bring buyers and sellers together to exchange goods and services
MERCOSUR Pact among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay to establish a free trade area
Microloans Small-business loans often used to buy equipment or operate a business
Multiplier effects the idea that every one dollar of government spending creates more than one dollar in economic activity
Neoliberal policies economic policies that are predicated on a minimalist role for the state, assuming the desirability of free markets as the ideal condition not only for economic organization but also for political and social life
OPEC Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Outsourcing A decision by a corporation to turn over much of the responsibility for production to independent suppliers.
Post-Fordist methods of production flexible production that is no longer centralized in one manufacturing facility and takes advantage of outsourcing or just-in-time delivery and is reliant on advanced technology
Primary sector The portion of the economy concerned with the direct extraction of materials from Earth's surface, generally through agriculture, although sometimes by mining, fishing, and forestry.
Public transportation projects a public project in development or under construction to provide a new transportation facility or to improve or maintain the existing system of state highways.
Quaternary sector Service sector industries concerned with the collection, processing, and manipulation of information and capital. Examples include finance, administration, insurance, and legal services.
Quinary sector Service sector industries that require a high level of specialized knowledge or technical skill. Examples include scientific research and high-level management.
Renewable energy A resource that has a theoretically unlimited supply and is not depleted when used by humans.
Reproductive health issues of safe sex, prevention and treatment of STIs, contraception, fertility and infertility, sexual health, pregnancy, and childbirth
Stages of Economic Growth A theory developed by Walt Rostow in which five stages of economic organization are recognized: traditional society, preconditions for takeoff, takeoff, drive to maturity, and high mass consumption.
Secondary sector The portion of the economy concerned with manufacturing useful products through processing, transforming, and assembling raw materials.
Semi-periphery countries nations ranking in between core and periphery countries, with some attributes of the core countries but with less of a central role in the global economy
Service Sectors Produces intangible goods, mroe percisely services instead of goods and is comprised of various service industries.
Small-scale finance small loans that are given directly to individual instead of large businesses or governments
Special economic zones specific area within a country in which tax incentives and less stringent environmental regulations are implemented to attract foreign business and investment
Sustainable development Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Tariffs Taxes on imported goods
Tertiary sector The portion of the economy concerned with transportation, communications, and utilities, sometimes extended to the provision of all goods and services to people in exchange for payment.
World System Theory (Immanuel Wallerstein) One world connected by a network of economic exchange relationship// control flows from Core--->Semi-Periphery--->Periphery
least-cost theory (Weber) (syn. Weberian analysis) The view that the optimum location of a manufacturing establishment is at the place where the costs of transport and labor and the advantages of agglomeration or deglomeration are most favorable.
World Trade Organization Administers the rules governing trade between its 144 members. Helps producers, importers, and exporters conduct their business and ensure that trade flows smoothly.