Geography key terms

Dividing a population or area into relevant groups and selecting samples from each group.

A shift in an economy’s activities and employment towards more productive sectors, such as manufacturing and modern services.

The change in an area's housing and services associated with a high concentration of students, often living in subdivided rental properties.

Land-based processes, including weathering and mass movement, that act on exposed coastal slopes rather than directly through wave action.

The process in which one tectonic plate sinks beneath another into the mantle.

Influenced by a person's opinions or judgements rather than determined entirely by objective measurement.

A judgement influenced by an individual's opinions or perceptions.

A narrower question that helps answer part of the main enquiry question.

The sinking or settling of the ground, which can damage buildings and transport routes.

Financial support that reduces the cost of a product or activity, encouraging people or businesses to use it.

Farming mainly to provide food for the farmer and their household.

Farming mainly to provide food for the farmer and their family rather than for sale.

Fishing mainly to provide food and other necessities for the people catching the fish, rather than primarily to sell the catch.

A mainly residential area towards the outside of a town or city.

The movement of people and activities from central urban areas towards the suburbs, contributing to outward urban growth.

A dark patch visible on the Sun's surface. Changes in sunspot numbers indicate changes in solar activity.

Relatively recent geological materials lying above the bedrock.

Water flowing across the ground surface rather than soaking into it.

Water flowing across the ground surface towards a river, rather than entering the soil.

Water held above ground, including in rivers and lakes.

Transportation in which fine sediment is carried within the flowing water.

Managing resources to meet people’s needs today without preventing future generations from meeting their needs.

Managing the coast in ways that balance social, economic and environmental needs over the long term.

Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Managing energy supplies and use to meet present needs while protecting the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Meeting present energy needs while protecting the environment and allowing future generations to meet their needs, with supplies that communities can afford and maintain.

Using energy in ways that meet present needs while limiting environmental damage and protecting future generations’ ability to meet their needs.