Edexcel GCSE Geography A key terms

A two-way relationship in which physical features and human activities influence one another.

A natural characteristic of an area, such as a river, valley or slope. In an urban area, it may have been altered or managed by people.

The removal of pieces of bedrock by moving glacier ice.

A deep hollow eroded at the foot of a waterfall by turbulent water and swirling rock fragments.

A deposit of river sediment on the inside of a meander, associated with a gently sloping bank called a slip-off slope.

An atmospheric circulation cell between approximately 60° latitude and the pole in each hemisphere.

Cutting a tree’s branches above the reach of grazing animals, allowing new branches to regrow.

The principle that those responsible for pollution should meet the costs of the damage they cause.

Having several centres of activity rather than a single dominant centre.

An increase in the number of people living in an area or in the world.

Increasing demand for land and resources as the number of people in an area grows.

An estimate of a future population based on assumptions about births, deaths and migration; it is not a certain prediction.

The distribution of a population by age and sex, often represented by a population pyramid.

Water falling from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, including rain and snow.

The direction from which the wind blows most frequently.

Evidence collected first-hand by the investigator for their enquiry.

Damage or harm caused directly by a hazard, such as wind destroying a building.

Economic activity that obtains raw materials from the natural environment, such as farming, fishing and mining.

Investment by businesses rather than government, including smaller firms and transnational corporations.

An organism, such as a green plant, that converts light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

A business owned by producers, such as farmers, who work together to market and sell their products.

The share of a total accounted for by one category, often expressed as a percentage.

A map showing flows between locations, with line widths proportional to the quantities represented and arrows indicating direction.

An initial statistical estimate that may change when more information becomes available or methods are improved.

Investment by government, for example in transport, education, healthcare or housing.

A feature that attracts someone to a destination, such as safety or employment opportunities.

The amount of goods and services that a person's income can buy.