Geography key terms

A mapped area within which coastal erosion may threaten land or other features over a stated period and under specified assumptions.

A rock transported and deposited by a glacier whose rock type differs from the local bedrock.

A line positioned by eye to follow the overall relationship, with points and their distances from the line roughly balanced on either side.

The tidal mouth of a river, where river water meets and mixes with seawater.

Choosing goods and services with consideration for their effects on people, livelihoods and the environment.

The presence of people identifying with a range of ethnic backgrounds within a population.

A group of people with a shared cultural heritage, which may include ancestry, language, traditions or religion.

A person's ethnic identity, associated with shared cultural background, heritage or ancestry; it is not the same as nationality or migration status.

An economic and political union of European countries. The UK was a member but left in 2020.

Nutrient enrichment of water that encourages excessive algal growth and can lead to oxygen depletion.

Moving people out of an area of danger to a safer place.

To make a supported judgement about something’s strengths, limitations and usefulness for a particular purpose.

Judging an idea, option or outcome using available evidence, weighing its strengths against its weaknesses.

The combined transfer of water to the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration from plants.

Describes plants that retain foliage throughout the year rather than losing it all in one season.

Relevant facts, observations or data used to support or challenge a claim.

Discarded electrical and electronic equipment, such as old computers.

The extraction and use of an energy resource, such as drilling for oil or mining coal.

An area offering incentives to businesses that produce goods for export.

Goods or services sold to another country.

The people and property located where a natural hazard could affect them.

Raising grazing animals over large areas of land, often where conditions are unsuitable for growing crops.

Estimating a value beyond the range of the available data, assuming that the trend continues.

Weather that is unusually severe or unusual for a particular place and time of year.

The relatively calm centre of a mature tropical cyclone, where air sinks and conditions are often dry and cloud-free.

The ring of towering thunderclouds surrounding a tropical cyclone's eye, containing its strongest winds and heaviest rainfall.

A trading system intended to give producers fairer terms, including minimum prices for many products and an additional premium for producer or community projects.