Geography key terms

A measure of spread covering the middle 50% of ordered data, calculated as upper quartile minus lower quartile: $\mathrm{IQR}=Q_3-Q_1$.

The zone near the equator where trade winds meet and warm, moist air rises, producing low pressure and frequent heavy rainfall.

A belt of low pressure near the equator where the north-east and south-east trade winds meet, encouraging warm, moist air to rise.

A species introduced outside its natural range that spreads and causes harm to the environment.

Spending money on businesses, equipment or infrastructure to increase production, income or future opportunities.

The artificial supply of water to crops to supplement rainfall.

The International Security Assistance Force: an international military mission in Afghanistan led by NATO from August 2003 until its completion in December 2014.

A line on a map joining points with the same value of a measured variable.

The difference in value between neighbouring isolines, such as a height difference of 10 metres between contours.

A band of fast-moving winds high in the atmosphere that helps steer weather systems.

A crack in rock along which there has been no significant displacement.

Supporting a decision or argument with evidence and reasoning that explains why it is appropriate.

The part of a map that explains its colours, symbols and other markings.

A body of water separated from the open sea by a barrier such as a coastal bar.

The time between peak rainfall and peak river discharge on a flood hydrograph.

A volcanic mudflow formed when water mixes with ash and other volcanic material.

Whether suitable land or space is available for a particular activity.

A natural physical feature of the Earth's surface, such as a waterfall, bay or beach.

A country without a coastline, which must cross another country to reach a seaport.

The visible character of an area, formed by its physical features and human activity.

Lasting visible damage to the shape or appearance of land, such as the large pits and spoil heaps created by mining.

A simplified drawing that records the main geographical features of a landscape rather than every visible detail.

The movement of rock, soil or other slope material downhill under gravity.

The rights and arrangements through which people hold, use and control land.

The purpose for which people use an area of land, such as housing, farming, industry or recreation.

A disagreement arising when different groups want to use the same land in incompatible ways.

The purpose for which land, a building or a space is used, such as housing, shopping or industry.

An episode of cooler-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, linked to changes in atmospheric circulation.