Chapter 1: Concepts of World Geography

Learning Objectives- After studying this chapter you should be able to:
•	Describe the conceptual framework of world regional geography
•	Identify the different components of globalization, including their controversial 
aspects, and list several ways in which globalization is changing world geographies 
•	Summarize the major tools used by geographers to study Earth's surface 
•	Explain the concepts and metrics used to document changes in global population and settlement patterns 
•	Describe the themes and concepts used to study the interaction between globalization and the world's cultural geographies 
•	Explain how different aspects of globalization have interacted with global geopolitics' from the colonial period to the present day 
•	Identify the concepts and data important to documenting changes in the economic and social development of more and less developed countries 

Terms-  You should understand these terms and be ready to identify them:
choropleth map A thematic map in which areas are colored or shaded to depict differences in whatever is being mapped. 
colonialism Formal, established (mainly historical) rule over local
peoples by a larger imperialist government for the expansion of political and economic empire. 
core-periphery model A conceptualization of the world into two economic spheres consisting of the developed countries and the less-developed countries.
counterinsurgency The suppression of a rebellion or insurgence by both military and political means, which includes not just armed warfare but also winning the support of local peoples by improving local infrastructure (schools, roads, etc.). 
cultural imperialism The active promotion of one cultural system over another, such as the implementation of a new language, school system, or bureaucracy.
cultural landscape A physical or natural landscape that has been changed considerably by the influences of human settlement. 
cultural nationalism . A process of protecting, either formally (with laws) or informally (with social values), the primacy of certain cultural system against influences (real or imagined) from another culture. 
cultural syncretism or hybridization The blending of two or more cultures, which produces a synergistic third culture that exhibits traits from all cultural parents
culture Learned and shared behavior by a group of people that gives them a distinct "way of life,"  made up of both material (technology, tools, etc.) and abstract (speech, religion, values, etc.) components.
decolonization The process of a former colony's gaining (or regaining) independence over its territory and establishing (or reestablishing) an independent government.
demographic transition model  A five-stage model of population change derived from the historical decline of the natural rate of increase as a population becomes increasingly urbanized through industrialization and economic development.
diversity Difference among cultures and ethnicities.
economic convergence  The notion that globalization will result in the world's poorer countries gradually catching up with more advanced economies.
ethnic religion  A religion closely identified with a specific ethnic or tribal group, often to the point of assuming the role of the major defining characteristic of that group.
formal region A geographic concept used to describe an area where a static and-specific trait (such as a language or a climate) has been mapped and described. 
functional region  A geographic concept used to describe the spatial extent dominated by a specific activity.
gender The social and cultural expressions of masculinity and femininity, which contrasts with sex, which is the biological distinction between male and female. 
gender equity A social condition, state, or goal of complete parity and equality between males and females. 
geopolitics The relationship between politics and space and territory.
globalization The increasing interconnectedness of people and places throughout the world through the processes of economic, political, and cultural change.
graphic or linear scale A symbol on a map that translates the map's cartographic scale into visual terms.
gross domestic product (GDP) The total value of goods and serv ices produced within a given country (or other geographical unit) in a single year. 
gross national income (GNI) The value of all final goods and services produced within a country's borders (gross domestic product) plus the  net income from abroad (formerly referred to as gross national product). 
gross national income (GNI) per capita The figure that results from dividing a country's GNI by the total population. 
Human Development Index (HDI) The United Nations' measure of social development  in the world's countries combining data on life expectancy, literacy, educational attainment, gender equity, and income.
insurgency  A political rebellion or uprising.
lingua franca  A common language used to facilitate communication between people who speak different languages.
map projections  The cartographic and mathematical solution to distortion caused by translating a rounded surface to a flat surface.
map scale  The relationship between distances depicted on a map and the actual distances that exist in reality. 
meridians Lines running north to south in an arc from pole to pole, measuring distance east or west of 0 degrees longitude.
nation-state  A relatively homogenous cultural group with its own sovereign political territory.
neocolonialism  Economic and political strategies powerful states use to dominate weaker states.
net migration rate  A statistic that depicts whether more people are entering or leaving a country.
parallels  Circles running east to west around the globe that measure distance north or south of the equator.
population density  The number of people in an area relative to the size of that area, usually measured in people per square mile or kilometer.
population pyramid A graph that plots the number of males and females in a population for different age groups.
prime meridian Zero degrees longitude, from which east and west locations are measured.
purchasing power parity (PPP) An adjustment in wealth and income statistics that takes into account the strength or weaknesses of a local currency.
rate of natural increase (RNI) The difference between birth rates and death rates in a country.
region  A geographic concept of areal or spatial similarity; an area that has some unique, defining characteristic.
secularism  The separation of politics from religion, or the decline of importance of religion among particular individuals or a society in general.
Shi'a Islam The second largest denomination of Islam, making up about 10-25% of Muslims worldwide.
Sunni Islam  The major denomination of Islam, making up between 75-90% of Muslims worldwide.
total fertility rate (TFR)  The average number of children born by women in a population.
universalizing religion  A religion that appeals to a large group of people regardless of local culture and conditions.