Edexcel GCSE Geography B key terms

The ability to shape government decisions and policies affecting other places and people.

The introduction of harmful substances into the environment, damaging living organisms or environmental quality.

The number of people living per unit of land area, usually expressed as people per square kilometre.

The pattern of where people live across an area.

An increase in the number of people in a population.

The percentage change in a population over a stated period of time.

An estimate of a future population based on assumptions about how population will change; it is not a certain outcome.

A chart showing the age and sex structure of a population using horizontal bars for age groups.

The composition of a population, including its age and sex distribution.

The process by which an initial increase in investment or employment generates further spending, business activity and jobs.

An economy in which services and knowledge-based activities account for most employment, rather than manufacturing.

The slow wobble of Earth's rotational axis, which changes the direction it points and the timing of the seasons relative to Earth's position in its orbit.

Water falling from the atmosphere, including rain and snow.

A forecast of where and when a hazard event will occur, and how large it will be. Earthquakes cannot currently be predicted accurately in this way.

Actions taken before a hazard event to help people respond safely and reduce damage.

The change in atmospheric pressure over a distance. A greater pressure change over the same distance produces a stronger force driving the wind.

The direction from which the wind most commonly blows.

Information collected first-hand by the person carrying out an investigation.

An activity that obtains raw materials directly from the natural environment, such as farming, forestry, fishing or mining.

Work that obtains raw materials from the natural environment, such as farming, forestry and mining.

A direct consequence of a hazardous event, such as buildings being damaged by cyclone winds.

Economic activities that obtain raw materials from the land or sea, including farming, fishing and mining.

A city that dominates a country's urban system through its size and economic and/or political importance.

The transfer of a business or industry from government ownership to private ownership.

The rate at which plants produce new biomass. Net primary productivity is the rate of biomass production remaining after plants use energy in respiration.

Legal rights to own or occupy property. Insecure rights mean that continued occupation is not reliably protected.

A map using lines or arrows whose widths are proportional to the quantities moving between places.

A large, largely undisturbed natural area protected to preserve biodiversity and natural processes.