Geography key terms

The part of the economy that provides services rather than extracting resources or manufacturing goods, including IT support, banking and tourism.

A place where people live, ranging from an isolated farmstead to a village, town or city.

Improving housing, infrastructure and services within an existing settlement rather than clearing and replacing the whole neighbourhood.

Natural gas held within shale, a type of sedimentary rock.

An earthquake that begins relatively close to the Earth’s surface.

A broad volcano with gently sloping sides, built mainly from repeated flows of low-viscosity lava.

Immediate help after a disaster, including rescue, medical treatment, shelter, food and clean water.

The physical land on which a settlement is built, including its relief, coastline and water features.

The location of a settlement in relation to other places and surrounding areas.

A coordinate locating a point more precisely within a map-grid square using three easting digits followed by three northing digits.

A simplified map selecting the main features relevant to a purpose rather than reproducing every detail.

The gravitational force produced when a dense oceanic plate sinks into the mantle and pulls the rest of the plate behind it.

A method of clearing land by cutting vegetation and then burning it.

The downhill movement of a mass of rock or soil along a relatively straight, planar slip surface.

A gently sloping sediment deposit on the inside of a meander.

Measures such as planting vegetation or regrading a coastal slope to reduce the risk of mass movement.

A densely populated area of poor-quality housing with inadequate basic services, such as clean water and sanitation.

The downhill movement of a mass of rock or soil along a curved slip surface, with rotation of the moving material.

Support with everyday living, such as washing, dressing or eating, provided at home or in a care setting.

Housing let at rents below typical market levels by councils or housing associations to eligible households.

An effect on people’s lives, health, housing or access to services.

Public disturbances, such as protests, riots or looting, arising from dissatisfaction or hardship.

People’s quality of life, including their health, security and ability to meet their basic needs.

Information about people’s social and economic circumstances, such as housing, employment, income and access to services.

Differences between places in economic conditions and social characteristics, such as income, literacy and life expectancy.

Differences in income, wealth and access to opportunities or services between people or areas.

Coastal protection that works with natural processes, for example by maintaining beaches or stabilising sand dunes.