Geography and Environment Glossary

G

Thermal Gradient: The rate at which temperature decreases with increasing altitude. It is expressed in º x 100 m.

Garriga: A secondary type of plant formation in the Mediterranean area on calcareous soils where the original forest has been destroyed. It consists of low scrub, thyme, rosemary, etc.

Livestock: A primary sector activity involving the breeding of animals (intestinal system, extended or mixed) to supply the market with meat, milk, and derivatives.

Globalization: The process of global economic integration, facilitated by the development of ICTs, creating a true global market.

H

Hoz: A deep valley with inaccessible slopes, excavated by rivers in areas of predominantly limestone.

Concentrated Habitat: A form of settlement in which buildings are very close together, planned or unplanned, in both urban and rural settings.

Dispersed Habitat: A form of settlement in which buildings are separated by 100m or more, including small clusters. This is common in rural environments.

Rural Habitat: A form of organization of rural space that includes forms of settlement, agricultural landscape, housing, customs, and social practices.

I

Equipment Industry: Industries that manufacture semi-processed products based on property, which will then be used by other industries and for consumer use.

Industry Use and Consumer Use: Manufactured goods to be used directly by consumers (large market). Production is heterogeneous.

Immigration: A migratory movement in which a population enters a country from another. This increases the population and workforce and may be legal or illegal.

Insolation: The amount of solar radiation the Earth absorbs, which causes more or less heating of the earth’s crust and influences evaporation and evapotranspiration.

Intensive Regimen: Land use using techniques to increase productivity, including the use of animals to enhance their performance and products.

Scientific Research: A service sector activity devoted to the study and development of any area.

Isobars: Lines that connect points of equal atmospheric pressure.

Isotherms: Lines that connect points of equal average temperature.

Isoyetas: Lines that connect points of equal precipitation, reflecting humid and arid areas.

K

Karst: A relief type prevalent in limestone areas, very sensitive to dissolution by rainwater.

L

Estates: Large farms, over 100 acres, allowing for cost-effective mechanization and increased productivity.

M

Massif: Mountains formed by the construction of a plinth block during the Alpine orogeny with Paleozoic and rigid materials.

Marsh: A plain of mud that has clogged a shallow bay, formed by sediments supplied by rivers and the sea.

Plateau: A wide and high area over 200 meters above sea level.

Air Mass: A volume of the atmosphere characterized by a certain temperature and humidity.

Macchia: A secondary type of plant formation in the Mediterranean, appearing after the destruction of the original forest.

Metropolis: An original town exercising its influence over a territory that encompasses other towns of lesser category.

Urban Morphology: The form of a city on a map, reflecting its historical development.

Skilled Labor: Labor specializing in a particular aspect of a production process.

Raw Material: Resources offered by nature, which are developed to reach a final product.

Machining: When machinery is involved in a production process, leading to more mechanization and higher productivity.

Media: Instruments intended to convey information quickly and to as many people as possible, thanks to technologies.

Smallholder: Small farms of less than 10 hectares, which do not permit modernization.

Monoculture: An agricultural landscape in which only one product is grown, which can be intensive or extensive, and geared towards the market.