Geography key terms

Changes in the characteristics of a population, such as its fertility rate, death rate and age structure.

Statistics describing a population, such as its fertility, mortality and age structure.

A model showing how birth rates, death rates and population growth change as societies develop and industrialise.

The study and dating of annual tree rings, which can also provide evidence of past growing conditions.

Mass per unit volume: how much matter is packed into a given volume.

People in younger and older age groups who are generally more likely to rely on working-age people for support. Age groups are a guide, not a statement that every person is dependent.

The number of children and older people relative to the working-age population, usually expressed per 100 working-age people.

Frank’s explanation that unequal relationships with wealthy countries help keep poorer countries dependent and underdeveloped.

A reduction in the number of people living in an area.

The laying down of sediment when a river no longer has enough energy to carry it.

A lack of resources or opportunities across aspects of life, including income, employment, education, health and housing.

The condition of land or buildings that have been abandoned and fallen into disrepair.

The removal of salt from seawater to produce freshwater.

Writing that sets out the characteristics of a place, pattern, event or set of results, using relevant detail.

The degradation of land in dry areas, making it less productive and increasingly desert-like.

A straight line linking an origin and a destination, rather than tracing the route travelled. Its width may represent the amount of movement.

A map using direct lines to show connections or the direction of movement between locations, without necessarily showing the actual route travelled.

Straight lines on a map that join the start and end of journeys, showing the connections between places rather than the routes actually taken.

A boundary where plates move together and a denser oceanic plate sinks beneath another plate.

A plate boundary where plates move towards each other and one plate is forced beneath another, allowing crust to be recycled into the mantle.

A wave whose backwash is stronger than its swash, tending to remove sediment from a beach.

A country with a high level of economic development and generally high living standards.

Improvement in people’s standard of living and quality of life, including income, health and education.

The difference in wealth and quality of life between more-developed and less-developed countries or populations.

A statistic used to assess an aspect of economic development or quality of life.

A planned approach to improving people’s living standards and economic opportunities.

The transfer of decision-making powers from central government to regional or local authorities.