Geography · Grades 7–12
People and places · quick reference
An average can hide very uneven settlement. Consider both density and distribution when interpreting a population map.
Key terms at a glance
Population density
The average number of people per unit area.
Migration
Movement of people from one place to another to live temporarily or permanently.
Urbanization
An increase in the share of people living in urban areas.
Rural area
An area outside major towns and cities, generally with lower settlement density.
Urban area
A concentrated built-up settlement such as a town or city.
Push factor
A condition that encourages someone to leave a place.
Pull factor
A condition that attracts someone to a destination.
Infrastructure
Basic systems such as transport, water and power that support a community.
Land use
The purpose for which people use a particular area of land.
Renewable resource
A resource replenished by natural processes on a relevant human timescale if managed suitably.
Non-renewable resource
A resource that is not replenished on a human timescale at a rate matching use.
Sustainability
Meeting needs while maintaining the systems and resources needed over time.
Watershed
An area of land draining to a common outlet.
Globalization
Increasing connections and interdependence among places and societies.
Trade
Exchange of goods or services between people or places.
Import
A good or service brought into an economy from another economy.
Export
A good or service supplied to another economy.
Absolute location
A position specified using a fixed reference such as coordinates.
Relative location
A position described in relation to other places.
Population distribution
The spatial pattern of where people live.
Learning preview · teacher review required. Grade bands are approximate, not official curriculum alignment.