BGCSE Geography (Botswana Senior Secondary Education BSSE) key terms

A large, rigid slab of the Earth's lithosphere that moves slowly over the softer asthenosphere beneath it, carrying continents and ocean floors and causing earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building where plates meet.

The zone where two tectonic plates meet. Boundaries may be divergent (plates move apart), convergent (plates collide), or transform (plates slide past each other), and each type produces characteristic landforms and hazards.

The process in which one tectonic plate, usually denser oceanic crust, sinks beneath another plate into the mantle. It creates deep ocean trenches, volcanic island arcs, and powerful earthquakes.

The slow movement of continents across the Earth's surface over millions of years as the plates they sit on shift. Evidence includes matching fossils, rock layers, and coastline shapes on opposite sides of oceans.

An opening in the Earth's crust through which molten rock, ash, and gases escape. Volcanoes often form at plate boundaries or over hot spots and can create new land, fertile soils, and serious hazards.

A sudden shaking of the ground caused by the release of built-up stress along faults in the Earth's crust. Earthquakes are most common near plate boundaries and can trigger tsunamis and landslides.

A fracture in the Earth's crust where rocks on either side have moved relative to each other. Movement along faults releases energy as earthquakes and can shape landforms such as rift valleys.

The breakdown of rocks in place by physical, chemical, or biological processes. Weathering does not involve the transport of material; it prepares rock for erosion and helps form soil.

The wearing away and removal of rock or soil by agents such as water, wind, ice, or gravity. Erosion transports material from one place to another and shapes landscapes over time.

The laying down of eroded material such as sand, mud, or gravel when the agent carrying it loses energy. Deposition builds features including beaches, deltas, and floodplains.

A natural channel of flowing water that drains a catchment area and carries water and sediment downhill toward a lake or the sea. Rivers erode, transport, and deposit material along their course.

The entire area of land drained by a river and its tributaries. Also called a drainage basin, it is bounded by higher ground that separates it from neighbouring river systems.

The continuous movement of water between the oceans, atmosphere, and land through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. It redistributes fresh water and energy around the planet.

The process by which liquid water changes into water vapour and enters the atmosphere. It is driven mainly by heat from the sun and is a key stage of the water cycle.

Water falling from clouds to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. It returns moisture from the atmosphere to the land and oceans and is measured with a rain gauge.

The average pattern of weather in a place over a long period, usually 30 years or more. Climate includes typical temperature, rainfall, and wind conditions and their seasonal variations.

The state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time, described by temperature, humidity, wind, cloud cover, and precipitation. Weather changes from hour to hour and day to day.

A climate with high temperatures throughout the year and significant rainfall, found near the equator. Many Caribbean islands experience a tropical climate with a wet and a dry season.

A powerful tropical storm with strong rotating winds and heavy rain that forms over warm ocean water. Hurricanes can cause storm surges, flooding, and wind damage, especially in the Caribbean.

An abnormal rise in sea level near the coast caused by a storm's winds and low pressure. Storm surge can flood low-lying coastal areas and is often the most dangerous part of a hurricane.

The zone where land meets the sea. Coastal landforms such as beaches, cliffs, and spits are shaped by wave action, tides, currents, and changes in sea level.

A ridge of coral and other organisms growing in warm, shallow, clear seawater. Reefs protect coastlines from waves, support fishing and tourism, and are sensitive to pollution and warming seas.

A community of living organisms interacting with each other and with their non-living environment, such as a coral reef, mangrove swamp, or forest. Ecosystems cycle nutrients and energy.

The loose upper layer of the Earth's surface made of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air. Soil supports plant growth and forms slowly through weathering and the decay of organisms.

The average number of people living in a given area, usually expressed as persons per square kilometre. It helps geographers compare how crowded or sparsely settled different regions are.

The way people are spread across a country or region, from crowded cities to empty rural areas. It is influenced by factors such as relief, climate, soil, jobs, and transport links.

The increase in the proportion of a population living in towns and cities. It results from rural-to-urban migration and natural growth and brings changes in land use and demand for services.

The way land is used or managed by people, for example for housing, farming, industry, transport, or recreation. Land use patterns reflect physical conditions and human needs and can conflict.

The cultivation of crops and rearing of animals for food, fibre, and other products. Farming depends on soil, climate, and water and can be commercial or subsistence in scale.

The business of providing services for people travelling to and staying in places away from home for leisure or other purposes. Tourism can bring income and jobs but may damage environments and cultures.

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It balances economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection.

The relationship between a distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground. Scale may be shown as a ratio, a line, or a statement and affects the level of detail shown.

A line on a map joining points of equal height above sea level. The spacing of contour lines shows the steepness of the land, and their pattern reveals hills, valleys, and slopes.

A set of numbers used to locate a point on a map by giving its easting and northing. Grid references allow precise identification of features and are essential in map reading.

The collection of geographical data outside the classroom, such as measuring river flow, surveying land use, or recording weather. Fieldwork develops practical skills and tests ideas in real places.

A series of large ocean waves usually caused by an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. Tsunamis can travel long distances and flood coastal areas with little warning.