Edexcel GCSE Geography A key terms

The distance over water across which wind blows to generate waves.

A drawing made from direct observation that selects and records the main geographical features of a landscape.

A river with discharge that rises rapidly after rainfall, usually because water reaches its channel quickly.

The potentially damaging flood event, described using characteristics such as its likelihood and depth.

An area of relatively flat land beside a river that can be covered by water when the river floods.

A broad, relatively flat area beside a river that can be covered by water when the river floods.

Planning controls that restrict which land uses are allowed in different parts of a flood plain.

Planning controls that restrict vulnerable development on land liable to river flooding.

The likelihood of flooding and the consequences it could have for people, property and other valued features.

A plan setting out objectives and proposed measures for managing significant flood risk.

Reliable access to enough safe, nutritious food for a healthy life.

A network of interconnected food chains showing feeding relationships and energy transfer within an ecosystem.

The number of people visiting a shopping street, centre or shop over a period of time.

A government's approach to relations with other countries, including diplomacy, trade and security.

The death of trees across an area of forest, which can leave degraded forest or more open vegetation.

The planting, management and care of forests for purposes such as timber production, conservation and recreation.

Registered and regulated work in which earnings and business activity are subject to taxation.

A carbon-containing fuel formed from ancient organic material, such as coal, oil or natural gas.

Non-renewable energy resources formed from ancient organic matter, including coal, oil and natural gas.

A method of extracting oil or gas by injecting fluid under pressure to fracture rock and release the trapped resource.

Physical weathering in which water repeatedly freezes and expands in rock cracks, gradually breaking the rock apart.

Water with a low concentration of dissolved salts, found in stores such as rivers, lakes, groundwater and glaciers. It is not necessarily safe to drink without treatment.

A country’s annual GDP divided by its population, giving average economic output per person.

A computer system for storing, displaying and analysing information linked to geographical locations.

A connection in which physical features, urban development and people influence one another.

A broad downfolded or subsiding area of the Earth's crust in which sediments accumulate.

A side-on representation of the rocks beneath a line across the landscape.