OCR GCSE Geography A key terms

Selecting observations at regular intervals, such as every 10 metres.

A map focused on the geographical distribution of a particular subject, such as population density or rainfall.

An increase in the volume of a substance as it warms; warming seawater expands and contributes to sea-level rise.

Assistance given on conditions that restrict how it can be used, commonly requiring purchases from the donor country.

A common energy unit used to compare different fuels by their energy content. Statistics often use million tonnes of oil equivalent, abbreviated to mtoe.

An approach in which governments or other large organisations plan and manage improvements.

The combined value of a country's exports and imports.

Transport in which large sediment particles are rolled or dragged along the bed by moving water.

The exchange of goods and services; international trade takes place between countries.

A situation in which the value of a country’s imports exceeds the value of its exports.

Prevailing tropical surface winds that blow from east to west across the Pacific under normal conditions.

A country with which another country exchanges goods or services.

A build-up of traffic that slows movement because demand exceeds the capacity of the road network.

A line across an area along which observations or measurements can be taken to investigate change.

A company that operates in more than one country.

The release of water vapour from plants, mainly through their leaves.

The movement of eroded material from one place to another.

The general direction in which data change, such as an overall increase or decrease.

A rotating low-pressure weather system that develops over warm tropical oceans and produces strong winds and heavy rainfall.

A forest ecosystem found in warm tropical regions with high rainfall, supporting dense vegetation and a great variety of species.

A cold, largely treeless ecosystem with low-growing vegetation and a short growing season.

Differences in economic prosperity and quality of life between places.

An area of relatively high land, often with steep slopes, hills or mountains.

The movement of colder, deeper ocean water towards the surface.

A continuously built-up urban area that can include a central city and adjoining settlements.

An increase in the number of people living in towns and cities.

The increasing proportion of a population living in towns and cities.

Investment that improves or redevelops an urban area experiencing decline.