Definitions

Question 1

biodiversity

Answer 1

the variety of living organisms on earth and the recognition of the need to maintain and protect this diversity

Question 2

biosphere

Answer 2

the realm of earth that includes all plant and animal life forms

Question 3

cadastral map

Answer 3

a map which shows property boundaries

Question 4

counter- urbanisation

Answer 4

a marked decline in the total population, or growth of the population, of large metropolitan areas and the subsequent growth of smaller urban centres at their expense — first identified in North America in the 1970s where counterurbanisation had replaced urbanisation as the dominant force shaping the nation’s settlement pattern

Question 5

ecological dimension

Answer 5

describes the relationship between people and the environment and the effect that they have on each other

Question 6

ecologically sustainable development

Answer 6

using, conserving and enhancing the community’s resources so the ecological processes are maintained so that quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased

Question 7

ecosystem

Answer 7

a system formed by the interaction of all living organisms (plants, animals, humans) with each other and with the physical elements of the environment in which they live

Question 8

environment

Answer 8

the ‘total surroundings’ including the components of the biophysical world, and the cultural, social, political and economic contexts of people

Question 9

environmental impact assessments

Answer 9

a detailed study for a proposed development that identifies and describes the environment, predicts any likely changes that might result from such a proposal, assesses the significance of any predicted changes and reports through an environmental impact statement which makes provision for community consultation

Question 10

exurbanisation

Answer 10

a process whereby people, usually affluent, move from the city to rural areas but continue to maintain an urban way of life either through long distance commuting or technology

Question 11

geographical issues

Answer 11

areas of concern that arise due to changes resulting from the interaction within environments and which can be investigated from spatial and/or ecological dimensions

Question 12

geographical processes

Answer 12

the combination of physical and human forces that form and transform our world

Question 13

GIS

Answer 13

Geographical Information Systems: integrated computer tools for the handling, processing and analysing of geographical data

Question 14

mega cities

Answer 14

very large agglomerations of at least 10 million inhabitants

Question 15

nation-state

Answer 15

the political unit of people living in a defined territory, with government authority in their economy, political organisation and external security

Question 16

non-government organisations (NGOs)

Answer 16

groups of people in the community focused around a common aim whether it be to raise money for projects, environmental action, political or social change

Question 17

spatial dimension

Answer 17

describes where things are and why they are there

Question 18

spatial exclusion

Answer 18

refers to the defence of luxury lifestyles which have resulted in restrictions in spatial access and the freedom of movement of other urban dwellers. It is manifest in ‘high security suburbs’, ‘walled estates’ and security conscious retail-business complexes

Question 19

spatial interdependence

Answer 19

the degree to which phenomena depend on each other for development and/or survival. Spatial interdependence implies that a spatial association exists

Question 20

spatial patterns

Answer 20

a key theme in geography that includes the concepts of location, distribution, spatial organisation and spatial differentiation

Question 21

sustainability

Answer 21

the ability to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Question 22

transnational corporations (TNCs)

Answer 22

large business enterprises with a number of branches operating in several countries but with usually a central head office in a developed country, whose powers transcend national boundaries

Question 23

urban village

Answer 23

distinctive residential districts comprising a clustering of people with a common culture and forming an identifiable community

Question 24

World city (global city)

Answer 24

a large city that has importance to the operation of the global systems of finance, trade, politics, communications, aid, tourism and entertainment