Geography and Spatial Thinking: Glossary
202 words, listed in the order you meet them in Courseversity lessons.
All words in this topic
Grade 1
distance
From Grade 1
how far apart things are
Learn it in: Near and far (Grade 1), Rural communities (Grade 2), Communication across distances (Grade 2)
right
From Grade 1
the other side from left
Learn it in: Left and right (Grade 1), Changes in schools (Grade 2), What are rights? (Grade 2)
natural feature
From Grade 1
a part of the land or water that nature made
Learn it in: Natural features (Grade 1)
river
From Grade 1
a long stream of water
Learn it in: Natural features (Grade 1), Land and water (Grade 2)
bridge
From Grade 1
a structure that crosses water or a road
Learn it in: Human-made features (Grade 1), Built environments (Grade 2)
map
From Grade 1
a drawing of a place from above
Learn it in: Pictures and simple maps (Grade 1), What is a map? (Grade 2), Maps as sources (Grade 3)
picture
From Grade 1
a drawing or photo seen from the side
Learn it in: Pictures and simple maps (Grade 1)
key
From Grade 1
a list that explains map symbols
Learn it in: Map symbols (Grade 1), Map keys (Grade 2), Map keys and legends (Grade 3)
symbol
From Grade 1
a picture or sign that stands for something
Learn it in: Map symbols (Grade 1), Music and art (Grade 2), Map symbols (Grade 2)
title
From Grade 1
the name of the map
Learn it in: Map symbols (Grade 1), What is a map? (Grade 2), Map purpose (Grade 3)
compass rose
From Grade 1
a symbol showing directions
Learn it in: Drawing a classroom map (Grade 1), Cardinal directions (Grade 2), Map purpose (Grade 3)
label
From Grade 1
a word that names something
Learn it in: Drawing a classroom map (Grade 1), Drawing community maps (Grade 2), Preserving historical evidence (Grade 3)
route
From Grade 1
the way from one place to another
Learn it in: Finding places using maps (Grade 1), Transportation of goods (Grade 2), Changes in transportation (Grade 3)
Grade 2
scale
From Grade 2
how distance on a map compares with the real distance
Learn it in: What is a map? (Grade 2), Map scale introduction (Grade 3), Timelines (Grade 4)
equator
From Grade 2
an imaginary line round the middle of Earth
Learn it in: What is a globe? (Grade 2), Continents (Grade 4), Equator and hemispheres (Grade 6)
globe
From Grade 2
a model of Earth shaped like a ball
Learn it in: What is a globe? (Grade 2), Continents (Grade 4)
hemisphere
From Grade 2
half of the Earth
Learn it in: What is a globe? (Grade 2), Locating our country (Grade 3), Continents (Grade 4)
pole
From Grade 2
one of the two ends of Earth
Learn it in: What is a globe? (Grade 2), Equator and hemispheres (Grade 6)
consistent
From Grade 2
the same each time
Learn it in: Map keys (Grade 2), Corroborating evidence (Grade 5)
legend
From Grade 2
another word for a map key
Learn it in: Map keys (Grade 2), National map project (Grade 3), Oral traditions (Grade 3)
cardinal directions
From Grade 2
north, south, east and west
Learn it in: Cardinal directions (Grade 2), Cardinal directions (Grade 3)
compass
From Grade 2
a tool with a needle that points north
Learn it in: Cardinal directions (Grade 2), Cardinal directions (Grade 3)
intermediate direction
From Grade 2
a direction between two cardinal directions, such as northeast
Learn it in: Cardinal directions (Grade 2), Intermediate directions introduction (Grade 3)
landform
From Grade 2
a natural shape of the land, such as a hill
Learn it in: Land and water (Grade 2), Major landforms (Grade 3)
continent
From Grade 2
one of Earth’s seven very large land areas
Learn it in: Continents introduction (Grade 2), Continents (Grade 4), Continents and oceans (Grade 6)
country
From Grade 2
a land area with its own government and borders
Learn it in: Continents introduction (Grade 2), Children around the world (Grade 2)
coast
From Grade 2
land beside the sea
Learn it in: Oceans introduction (Grade 2), Coastal communities (Grade 2), Physical maps (Grade 3)
ocean
From Grade 2
a huge area of salt water
Learn it in: Oceans introduction (Grade 2), Oceans (Grade 4), Continents and oceans (Grade 6)
border
From Grade 2
the line where two countries meet
Learn it in: Locating our country (Grade 2), National boundaries (Grade 3), Political maps (Grade 3)
capital
From Grade 2
the city where the government sits
Learn it in: Locating our country (Grade 2), Capital and important settlements (Grade 3), Political maps (Grade 3)
draft
From Grade 2
a first try
Learn it in: Drawing community maps (Grade 2), Creating regional maps (Grade 3)
Grade 3
absolute location
From Grade 3
the exact position of a place, often given by coordinates
Learn it in: Locating our country (Grade 3)
coordinates
From Grade 3
numbers that give an exact position on a map
Learn it in: Locating our country (Grade 3), Latitude and longitude (Grade 6)
relative location
From Grade 3
where a place is compared with other places
Learn it in: Locating our country (Grade 3)
boundary
From Grade 3
a line that marks the edge of a place
Learn it in: National boundaries (Grade 3), Map keys and legends (Grade 3), Historical maps (Grade 5)
sovereign
From Grade 3
having its own government and control over its own territory
Learn it in: National boundaries (Grade 3)
treaty
From Grade 3
a written agreement between countries
Learn it in: National boundaries (Grade 3), Encounters among different peoples (Grade 5), Human rights introduction (Grade 6)
administration
From Grade 3
the work of running a place
Learn it in: Administrative regions (Grade 3), Colonialism and its historical contexts (Grade 5), Empires and states (Grade 6)
district
From Grade 3
a smaller part of a region run by a local council
Learn it in: Administrative regions (Grade 3)
local council
From Grade 3
a group that runs local services
Learn it in: Administrative regions (Grade 3)
region
From Grade 3
a large part of a country
Learn it in: Administrative regions (Grade 3), Political maps (Grade 3), Creating regional maps (Grade 3)
crossroads
From Grade 3
a place where roads meet
Learn it in: Capital and important settlements (Grade 3), Trade routes (Grade 4)
settlement
From Grade 3
a place where people live
Learn it in: Capital and important settlements (Grade 3), Permanent settlements (Grade 4), Early communities in our region (Grade 5)
elevation
From Grade 3
height above sea level
Learn it in: Major landforms (Grade 3), Physical maps (Grade 3)
plain
From Grade 3
a wide flat area of land
Learn it in: Major landforms (Grade 3), Plains and valleys (Grade 4), Physical regions (Grade 5)
plateau
From Grade 3
a high flat area of land
Learn it in: Major landforms (Grade 3), Plains and valleys (Grade 4), Physical regions (Grade 6)
estuary
From Grade 3
the wide part of a river where it meets the sea
Learn it in: Rivers and water bodies (Grade 3), Rivers and water resources (Grade 5), Coastal environments (Grade 5)
mouth
From Grade 3
the place where a river meets the sea
Learn it in: Rivers and water bodies (Grade 3), Rivers (Grade 4)
tributary
From Grade 3
a smaller river that flows into a larger one
Learn it in: Rivers and water bodies (Grade 3), Rivers (Grade 4), Rivers and water resources (Grade 5)
Harmattan
From Grade 3
a dry, dusty wind from the Sahara
Learn it in: Climate and weather patterns (Grade 3), Deserts (Grade 4), Climate zones (Grade 5)
rainfall
From Grade 3
the amount of rain that falls
Learn it in: Climate and weather patterns (Grade 3), Climate regions (Grade 4)
tropical
From Grade 3
hot and rainy near the equator
Learn it in: Climate and weather patterns (Grade 3)
mineral
From Grade 3
a natural solid material found in the ground
Learn it in: Natural resources (Grade 3), Mining introduction (Grade 3), Mineral and other natural resources (Grade 5)
mining
From Grade 3
digging minerals from the ground
Learn it in: Natural resources (Grade 3), Mining introduction (Grade 3), Mineral and other natural resources (Grade 5)
natural resource
From Grade 3
something from nature that people use
Learn it in: Natural resources (Grade 3), Natural resources (Grade 3), Natural resources (Grade 4)
sustainable
From Grade 3
used in a way that lasts for the future
Learn it in: Natural resources (Grade 3), Responsible resource use (Grade 3), Sustainable livelihoods (Grade 4)
census
From Grade 3
an official count of the people in a country
Learn it in: Population and settlements (Grade 3), Population and community needs (Grade 3), Population (Grade 4)
density
From Grade 3
how crowded a place is
Learn it in: Population and settlements (Grade 3), Population and community needs (Grade 3), Human settlement patterns (Grade 4)
population
From Grade 3
the number of people living in a place
Learn it in: Population and settlements (Grade 3), Population and community needs (Grade 3), Human settlement patterns (Grade 4)
atlas
From Grade 3
a book of maps
Learn it in: National map project (Grade 3), Continents and oceans (Grade 6)
outline map
From Grade 3
a map showing only the shape of an area
Learn it in: National map project (Grade 3)
direction
From Grade 3
where something is heading or located
Learn it in: Cardinal directions (Grade 3)
bearing
From Grade 3
a direction given as an angle (introduction only)
Learn it in: Intermediate directions introduction (Grade 3)
north-east
From Grade 3
halfway between north and east
Learn it in: Intermediate directions introduction (Grade 3)
south-west
From Grade 3
halfway between south and west
Learn it in: Intermediate directions introduction (Grade 3)
grid reference
From Grade 3
letters and numbers that name a square on a grid
Learn it in: Simple grids (Grade 3)
physical map
From Grade 3
a map that shows natural features of land and water
Learn it in: Physical maps (Grade 3), Physical geography mapping (Grade 4)
relief
From Grade 3
the shape of the land, including its height
Learn it in: Physical maps (Grade 3), Physical geography mapping (Grade 4), Humanitarian assistance (Grade 6)
political map
From Grade 3
a map that shows boundaries, countries, regions and cities
Learn it in: Political maps (Grade 3)
kilometre
From Grade 3
a unit of length equal to 1,000 metres
Learn it in: Map scale introduction (Grade 3)
scale bar
From Grade 3
a line on a map showing real distances
Learn it in: Map scale introduction (Grade 3)
bar graph
From Grade 3
a chart using bars of different lengths to compare amounts
Learn it in: Reading geographical information (Grade 3)
geographical information
From Grade 3
facts about places and how people use them
Learn it in: Reading geographical information (Grade 3)
Grade 4
delta
From Grade 4
low land formed where a river splits and drops soil near its mouth
Learn it in: Rivers (Grade 4)
oasis
From Grade 4
a place in a desert where water allows plants to grow
Learn it in: Deserts (Grade 4), Trans-Saharan trade (Grade 5)
latitude
From Grade 4
how far north or south a place is from the equator
Learn it in: Climate regions (Grade 4), National location and boundaries (Grade 5), Latitude and longitude (Grade 6)
cluster
From Grade 4
a group of things close together
Learn it in: Human settlement patterns (Grade 4), Spatial patterns and geographical analysis (Grade 6)
population growth
From Grade 4
an increase in the number of people in a place
Learn it in: Population (Grade 4)
dispersed
From Grade 4
a settlement with buildings spread widely apart
Learn it in: Settlement patterns (Grade 4)
linear
From Grade 4
a settlement stretched out in a line along a road, river or coast
Learn it in: Settlement patterns (Grade 4)
nucleated
From Grade 4
a settlement with buildings gathered closely round a centre
Learn it in: Settlement patterns (Grade 4)
hub
From Grade 4
a central place where many routes meet
Learn it in: Transportation networks (Grade 4), Settlements and cities (Grade 5)
junction
From Grade 4
a place where roads or tracks meet or cross
Learn it in: Transportation networks (Grade 4)
market town
From Grade 4
a town where farmers sell and buy goods
Learn it in: Agriculture and settlements (Grade 4)
caravan
From Grade 4
a group of traders and animals travelling together across a desert
Learn it in: Trade routes (Grade 4), Trans-Saharan trade (Grade 5), Trade routes and exchange (Grade 6)
merchant
From Grade 4
a person who buys and sells goods
Learn it in: Trade routes (Grade 4), Trans-Saharan trade (Grade 5)
monsoon
From Grade 4
a seasonal wind that changes direction and brings rain
Learn it in: Trade routes (Grade 4), Indian Ocean trade networks (Grade 5)
drought
From Grade 4
a long time with very little rain
Learn it in: Environmental influences (Grade 4), Water scarcity (Grade 6)
warning system
From Grade 4
a way of telling people early that danger is coming
Learn it in: Environmental influences (Grade 4)
dam
From Grade 4
a wall built across a river to hold back water
Learn it in: Human modification of landscapes (Grade 4)
case study
From Grade 4
a close study of one example
Learn it in: Settlement comparison (Grade 4), Comparative historical investigation (Grade 6), Migration case study (Grade 6)
Grade 5
coastline
From Grade 5
the line where land meets the sea
Learn it in: National location and boundaries (Grade 5)
longitude
From Grade 5
distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees
Learn it in: National location and boundaries (Grade 5), Latitude and longitude (Grade 6), Geographical skills review (Grade 6)
highlands
From Grade 5
areas of land that are high above sea level, such as hills and mountains
Learn it in: Physical regions (Grade 5)
mangrove
From Grade 5
a tree that grows in salty coastal water and has tangled roots
Learn it in: Physical regions (Grade 5), Coastal environments (Grade 5)
physical region
From Grade 5
an area with similar landforms, climate and natural features
Learn it in: Physical regions (Grade 5), Physical regions (Grade 6)
tropical climate
From Grade 5
a hot climate near the Equator with wet and dry seasons
Learn it in: Climate zones (Grade 5)
reservoir
From Grade 5
a lake, often man-made, where water is stored
Learn it in: Rivers and water resources (Grade 5)
river basin
From Grade 5
the whole area of land drained by a river and its tributaries
Learn it in: Rivers and water resources (Grade 5), Physical regions (Grade 6)
distribution
From Grade 5
the way something is spread across an area
Learn it in: Population distribution (Grade 5), Population distribution (Grade 6), Resource distribution (Grade 6)
population density
From Grade 5
the number of people living in each square kilometre
Learn it in: Population distribution (Grade 5), Population distribution (Grade 6), Population distribution (Grade 6)
urbanisation
From Grade 5
the growth of towns and cities as more people move to them
Learn it in: Population distribution (Grade 5), Migration (Grade 5), Migration and population (Grade 6)
capital city
From Grade 5
the city where a country’s government is based
Learn it in: Settlements and cities (Grade 5)
bush fallow
From Grade 5
letting farmland rest and regrow for some years so that soil can recover
Learn it in: Agriculture (Grade 5)
staple crop
From Grade 5
a food crop that is eaten regularly and forms the main part of a diet
Learn it in: Agriculture (Grade 5)
revenue
From Grade 5
money that a government or business earns
Learn it in: Mineral and other natural resources (Grade 5), Taxation introduction (Grade 6)
accessibility
From Grade 5
how easily people can reach places and services
Learn it in: Transportation networks (Grade 5), Inclusion and fairness (Grade 5)
ferry
From Grade 5
a boat that carries people and vehicles across water
Learn it in: Transportation networks (Grade 5)
highway
From Grade 5
a major road linking towns and regions
Learn it in: Transportation networks (Grade 5)
management
From Grade 5
organising and looking after something carefully
Learn it in: Resource management (Grade 5)
regulation
From Grade 5
a rule made by an authority to control how something is done
Learn it in: Resource management (Grade 5)
Grade 6
degree
From Grade 6
a unit used to measure angles and positions on Earth, shown as °
Learn it in: Latitude and longitude (Grade 6)
axis
From Grade 6
the imaginary line through Earth from pole to pole around which it spins
Learn it in: Equator and hemispheres (Grade 6)
tropics
From Grade 6
the warm region between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
Learn it in: Equator and hemispheres (Grade 6)
large-scale map
From Grade 6
a map showing a small area in much detail
Learn it in: Map scale (Grade 6)
line scale
From Grade 6
a scale shown as a line with distances marked on it
Learn it in: Map scale (Grade 6)
ratio scale
From Grade 6
a scale written as a ratio, such as 1:100,000
Learn it in: Map scale (Grade 6)
distortion
From Grade 6
a change in shape, size, distance or direction caused by flattening
Learn it in: Map projections introduction (Grade 6)
equal-area projection
From Grade 6
a projection that keeps the sizes of areas correct but changes shapes
Learn it in: Map projections introduction (Grade 6)
map projection
From Grade 6
a method of showing the curved Earth on a flat map
Learn it in: Map projections introduction (Grade 6)
Mercator projection
From Grade 6
a projection useful for navigation that enlarges areas near the poles
Learn it in: Map projections introduction (Grade 6)
sparsely populated
From Grade 6
having few people per square kilometre
Learn it in: Population distribution (Grade 6), Population distribution (Grade 6)
choropleth map
From Grade 6
a map in which areas are shaded in different colours according to a value
Learn it in: Thematic maps (Grade 6)
isoline
From Grade 6
a line on a map joining places with equal values, such as contour lines
Learn it in: Thematic maps (Grade 6)
map key
From Grade 6
a box explaining the symbols and colours used on a map
Learn it in: Thematic maps (Grade 6)
thematic map
From Grade 6
a map that shows one theme or topic, such as rainfall or population
Learn it in: Thematic maps (Grade 6), Geographical skills review (Grade 6)
causation
From Grade 6
when one thing directly causes another
Learn it in: Spatial patterns and geographical analysis (Grade 6)
correlation
From Grade 6
a link between two sets of data that tend to change together
Learn it in: Spatial patterns and geographical analysis (Grade 6)
spatial pattern
From Grade 6
the way things are arranged across space on a map
Learn it in: Spatial patterns and geographical analysis (Grade 6)
densely populated
From Grade 6
having many people in a small area
Learn it in: Population distribution (Grade 6)
birth rate
From Grade 6
the number of births per 1,000 people in a year
Learn it in: Population change (Grade 6)
death rate
From Grade 6
the number of deaths per 1,000 people in a year
Learn it in: Population change (Grade 6)
life expectancy
From Grade 6
the average number of years a person is expected to live
Learn it in: Population change (Grade 6)
natural increase
From Grade 6
the difference between births and deaths
Learn it in: Population change (Grade 6)
emigrant
From Grade 6
a person who leaves their country to live elsewhere
Learn it in: International migration (Grade 6)
host country
From Grade 6
the country where a migrant lives
Learn it in: International migration (Grade 6)
immigrant
From Grade 6
a person who comes to live in a new country
Learn it in: International migration (Grade 6)
analysis
From Grade 6
careful examination of parts to understand the whole
Learn it in: Reasons people move (Grade 6)
humanitarian protection
From Grade 6
help and safety given to people in danger
Learn it in: Voluntary and forced migration (Grade 6)
internally displaced person
From Grade 6
a person forced to leave home who remains within their own country
Learn it in: Voluntary and forced migration (Grade 6)
cultural diffusion
From Grade 6
the spread of ideas and practices from one place to another
Learn it in: Cultural exchange (Grade 6)
fusion
From Grade 6
a blend of elements from different cultures
Learn it in: Cultural exchange (Grade 6)
loanword
From Grade 6
a word borrowed from one language and used in another
Learn it in: Cultural exchange (Grade 6)
informal settlement
From Grade 6
an area of housing built without formal planning or ownership documents
Learn it in: Urbanisation (Grade 6)
infrastructure
From Grade 6
the basic systems a community needs, such as roads, water, drainage and power
Learn it in: Urbanisation (Grade 6), Resource distribution (Grade 6)
sustainable city
From Grade 6
a city that meets people’s needs without harming future generations or the environment
Learn it in: Urbanisation (Grade 6)
brain circulation
From Grade 6
the movement of skilled people between countries in ways that share knowledge
Learn it in: Challenges and opportunities of migration (Grade 6)