Semester Exam Review

1

100

What is a toponym?

The name given to a place (e.g., “New York,” “Rio Grande”).

200

What is a taboo?

A social or cultural prohibition against certain behaviors or practices.

300

What is environmental determinism?

The theory that physical environment (climate, terrain) shapes human culture and societal development.

400

What is an ethnic neighborhood?

An area within a city where people of the same ethnicity cluster together (e.g., Chinatown, Little Italy).

500

What is ethnocentrism?

Belief your culture is superior (e.g., judging others by your norms).

2

100

What is arable land?

Land suitable for farming; linked to physiological density.

200

What is a guest worker?

temporary migrant for work, economic reasons. 

300

What is an MDC? What is an LDC? & some Characteristics?

• MDC (More Developed Country): High income, advanced tech, low birth rates.
• LDC (Less Developed Country): Low income, limited tech, high birth rates.

400

What is a stateless nation?

Give me 1 example?

Nation without a state (e.g., Kurds, Palestinians).

500

What was the berlin conference?

meeting where European powers divided Africa → led to colonial borders.

3

100

What is dependency Ratio?

Ratio of dependents (young + old) to working-age population. Shows economic burden.

200

What is total fertility rate?

Average # of children per woman.

300

What is absolute location?

What device is the best to use for this?

Exact coordinates (latitude & longitude).
Device: GPS.

400

What is hierarchical diffusion?

Spread from authority/high rank to others (e.g., fashion trends from celebrities).

500

Give me the birth rates, death rates and population growth of all 5 stages?

• Stage 1: High birth & death rates → slow growth.

• Stage 2: High birth, declining death → rapid growth.

• Stage 3: Declining birth & death → moderate growth.

• Stage 4: Low birth & death → stable population.

• Stage 5: Very low birth → population decline.

4

100

What is the difference between Federal vs Unitary States?

• Federal: Power shared (USA).

• Unitary: Centralized power (France).

200

What is a relict boundary?

Old boundary that no longer functions but still visible (e.g., Berlin Wall).

300

What is a shatterbelt?

Region with persistent conflict due to cultural/political tension (e.g., Balkans).

400

What is the difference between a nation and a state?

• Nation: Group with shared culture/history.

• State: Political entity with sovereignty.

500

What is the DTM?

Explains population change over time in 5 stages:

5

100

What is supernationalism?

Countries cooperating for common goals (EU, UN, NATO).

200

What is the median line principle?

Dividing water boundaries equally between states.

300

What is the EEZ?

Exclusive Economic Zone

200 nautical miles from coast for resource rights.

400

Which religions do not eat pork?

Islam and Judaism

500

What is the difference between neocolonialism and colonialism?

• Colonialism: Direct political control.

• Neocolonialism: Economic dominance after independence.