Geography key terms

Decisions and actions taken by a government to achieve particular economic or social goals.

The rate at which a value changes with distance. On a contour map, gradient describes how steeply the land rises or falls.

The network of latitude and longitude lines on a map or globe, used to locate places.

A system in which water flows from a higher source to lower users under gravity, reducing the need for powered pumping.

An area of land around a settlement where development is restricted to help prevent urban sprawl.

Land that has not previously been developed, such as farmland.

Land that has not previously been developed, such as farmland or other open land.

The natural warming of the Earth's surface and lower atmosphere caused by greenhouse gases absorbing outgoing long-wave radiation and emitting some energy back towards the surface.

A gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits outgoing long-wave radiation, such as carbon dioxide or methane.

Gases, including carbon dioxide, that absorb outgoing heat and contribute to warming the atmosphere.

A network of green spaces and natural features managed to benefit people and wildlife. Water features are often included through the term blue-green infrastructure.

An area of vegetation within a settlement, such as a park, garden or planted space around buildings.

Marketing an activity or business as environmentally friendly when its actual practices do not justify that claim.

Relatively lightly contaminated wastewater that can be reused for suitable non-drinking purposes, such as flushing toilets.

Wastewater from activities such as washing and bathing, rather than from toilets, which can be reused for suitable purposes after appropriate treatment.

A coordinate reference that identifies a grid square or a position within it: four figures identify a square, while six figures locate a point more precisely.

The total value of goods and services produced within a country over a given period, usually a year.

The total income received by a country’s residents and businesses, including income from overseas.

The value that producers add to goods and services. It is used to measure the output of an economy or sector.

A widespread layer of till deposited beneath a glacier as the ice melts.

Water stored beneath the ground in the pores and cracks of soil and rock.

The part of the year when conditions allow plants to grow.

A barrier built at right angles to the shore to trap sediment transported by longshore drift.

The breaking up of a continuous habitat into smaller, separated areas.

The tropical circulation cell extending approximately from the Equator to 30° north or south, with rising air near the Equator and descending air near 30°.

A tributary valley whose floor lies above the floor of the main glacial trough.

Flood management involving built structures or substantial alterations to a river channel.