Geography key terms

A curved lake formed when a meander is cut off from the main river channel.

The belt around the Pacific Ocean where many active volcanoes and earthquakes are concentrated.

A transport system in which people leave their cars in a car park outside the city centre and complete their journey by public transport.

Farming that keeps grazing livestock, such as sheep and cattle.

The highest river discharge reached during a particular event.

The highest rainfall value shown for a recording interval during a storm.

The number of people passing a particular point during a stated period of time.

A pipe carrying water downhill under pressure to a hydroelectric turbine.

The average number of people in a population for each doctor.

An amount expressed for each person, usually calculated by dividing a total by the population.

A proportion expressed out of 100.

An increase or decrease expressed as a percentage of the original value.

The difference between two percentages, found by subtracting the earlier percentage from the later one.

A value marking a particular percentage position in ordered data. Approximately 90% of values lie at or below the 90th percentile.

A relatively less developed region with weaker connections to major markets, less investment and poorer access to infrastructure and services.

The less-developed economies that depend on the core for markets and sell it relatively low-value raw materials in Frank’s dependency theory.

A less economically developed region with relatively limited investment, employment opportunities or access to services compared with the core.

Designing food-growing and living systems to work with natural processes, conserve resources and minimise waste.

Ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years.

The ability of a rock to allow water to pass through it.

A measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance, such as soil, is.

The natural surroundings, including landforms, air, water, soils, vegetation and wildlife.

A feature of the natural environment, such as a river, hill or valley.

The study of natural environments and processes, such as rivers, coastal erosion and ecosystems.

A natural event or process with the potential to harm people, property or the environment.

A two-way relationship in which physical features and human activities influence one another.

A connection in which people and the physical environment affect one another.