AQA GCSE Geography key terms

A gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits outgoing long-wave radiation, such as carbon dioxide or methane.

An area of vegetation within a settlement, such as a park, garden or planted space around buildings.

Relatively lightly contaminated wastewater that can be reused for suitable non-drinking purposes, such as flushing toilets.

Wastewater from activities such as washing and bathing, rather than from toilets, which can be reused for suitable purposes after appropriate treatment.

The total value of goods and services produced within a country over a given period, usually a year.

A widespread layer of till deposited beneath a glacier as the ice melts.

Water stored beneath the ground in the pores and cracks of soil and rock.

A barrier built at right angles to the shore to trap sediment transported by longshore drift.

The breaking up of a continuous habitat into smaller, separated areas.

A large-scale circulation cell in which air rises near the equator, moves polewards at altitude, sinks in the subtropics and returns towards the equator near the surface.

A tributary valley whose floor lies above the floor of the main glacial trough.

Flood management involving built structures or substantial alterations to a river channel.

Something with the potential to cause harm, such as moving traffic or slippery rocks.

A map showing areas threatened by a hazard, used to guide development and emergency preparations.

The likelihood of people suffering harm or loss from a hazard, taking account of their exposure and vulnerability.

A projection of land into the sea, commonly formed where resistant rock remains as neighbouring less resistant rock is eroded.

A prolonged period of unusually high temperatures for a particular place and time of year.

A high-income country: a country with a high average income per person.

A country with relatively high average income, generally associated with a high material standard of living.

Food that commands a relatively high selling price, such as certain meats or specialist fruit and vegetables.

A popular location that attracts large numbers of visitors, concentrating both tourism income and pressure on the environment.

A country in which a foreign company establishes business operations.

An ecosystem in a hot, arid region, typically receiving less than 250 mm of precipitation each year.

An area of volcanic activity supplied by rising hot material from within the mantle, which can occur away from a plate margin.

A measure combining life expectancy, education and income per person. Values range from 0 to 1; a higher value indicates greater human development.

The study of people, their activities and the places they shape, including settlements, transport and economic activity.

Erosion caused by the force of flowing water breaking material away from a river’s bed and banks.