History Flashcards
Global neighborhoods into which we can conceptually divide the world, defined by “a
particular combination or environmental, cultural, and organizational properties
Realms
The areas between geographic realms Sometimes large & well-defined, but often a
gradual shift between characteristics of two neighboring realms vs. hard boundaries
Transition Zones
Dominated by a single political entity = 6 of them (North America, Middle
America, East Asia, South Asia, Russia/Central Asia, Austral Realm)
Monocentric Realms
ower, culture, appearance dispersed among many regions or countries = 4 of
them (Europe, North Africa/Southwest Asia, Subsaharan Africa, Pacific Realm
Polycentric Realms
region defined by measurable and visible internal homogeneity
* Regions as Systems (Diversity)
Formal Region
region defined by its functionality (way that it “works”) vs. internal
sameness or homogeneity Typically urban core with rural hinterland periphery
Functional Region
Our current age, in which humans have become the predominant species affecting the natural
environment (pollution, deforestation, water use
Anthropocene
Sun’s radiation becomes trapped in Earth’s atmosphere Exacerbated by CO2 emissions
= Warming temperatures (3.6 deg. F by 2100), weather volatility, melting ice caps rise in global sea levels
Green house effect
way people have arranged themselves in geographic space
* Largest Pop. Clusters = 1) S. Asia 2) E. Asia 3) Europe = Accounts for 5 bil. of 7.7
Population Distribution
Proportion of country’s or region’s total pop. living in cities
Urbanization Level
Annual rate of urban growth as people move into cities
* Relationship = High level = low growth rate; low level = high growth rate
Urban Growth Rate
politically organized territory that is administered by a sovereign government and is recognized by a
significant portion of the international community + Permanent resident population, organized economy, and
functioning internal circulation system
State
Political relations among states or regions that are strongly influenced by their geography. setting
i.e. proximity to other states, accessibility, borders, & natural resources – In other words, state politics are
influenced by and influence geographical factors
Geopolitics
concept used to analyze the economic, social, and institutional growth of states Economic data is key,
but not the whole story
Development
the constellation of countries with the most highly-developed and influential economies: N.
America, Europe, E. Asia, Australia/NZ
Global Core
All of the countries that lie outside of the global core Economically subordinate, less- highly
developed, less international influence than core countries
Global Periphery
A linear zone that parallels a political boundary, often marked by significant cultural and economic interaction across the boundary
that separates
Borderland
A region with significant natural-landscape homogeneity (sameness), expressed by a certain degree of uniformity in
climate, soils, vegetation, and elevation
Physiographic Regions:
The energy resources of coal, natural gas, and petroleum (oil), named for the geological processes that produced them which included
compressing and transforming organic materials
Fossil Fuel
north America’s near-rectangular core area, whose corners are Boston, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Baltimore
American Manufacturing Belt
Urban growth away from the center, typically in the edges of urban areas
Suburbanization
Process whereby companies relocate manufacturing jobs to other regions or countries with cheaper labor, leaving the newly
deindustrialized region to convert to a service economy while struggling to deal with increased unemployment
Deindustrialization
The impact of one’s neighborhood on an individual’s outlook, aspirations, socialization, and life chances
Neighborhood Effect
The divide between cities and rural areas in terms of well-being, employment, services, and consumption – sometimes also
in terms of culture and politics
Urban-Rural Divide
the downtown heart of a central city, marked by high land values, a concentration of business and commerce,
and the clustering of the tallest buildings
Central Business District (CBD)
The upgrading of an older residential area through private investment, usually in the downtown area of a central city – often
involving displacement of established low-income residents
Gentrification
A country’s largest city—ranking atop its urban hierarchy—most expressive of the national culture;
typically the capital
Primate City
A narrow isthmian link between two large landmasses
Land Bridge:
A set or chain of islands grouped closely together
Archipelago
The heartland or place of origin of a major culture
Culture Hearths
Refers to a person of mixed European and Amerindian ancestry
Mestizo
