Urbanization

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Urbanization Noun

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[ur-buh-ni-zey-shuhn]

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Urbanization

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The process of population shift from rural to urban areas, resulting in the growth and expansion of cities.

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Example: This timeline shows events like the building of skyscrapers and electric trolleys, which were part of the growth and development of cities.

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Land Cover Noun

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[land kuh-ver]

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Land Cover

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The physical material at the surface of the earth, including vegetation, structures, and other features that cover the land.

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Example: This map shows different types of land cover, which is the physical material on the Earth's surface, such as forest, water, agriculture, and urban areas.

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Land Use Noun

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[land yoos]

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Land Use

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The human activities that occur on land and are directly related to the land, such as farming or residential development.

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Example: This map uses different colors to show how land in an area is classified for various purposes, such as urban (cities), agriculture (farms), and forests.

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Urban Noun

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[ur-buhn]

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Urban

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An area mostly covered with buildings and roads, typically defined as having a human population of 2,500 or more.

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Example: This image shows a dense collection of buildings, which is the key characteristic of an urban area or city.

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Rural Noun

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[roor-uhl]

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Rural

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Any type of land use or land cover that is not urban, such as forests, cropland, or rangeland.

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Example: This image shows a rural area, which has a low population density, more open space, and smaller community buildings like this school.

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Suburb Noun

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[suhb-urb]

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Suburb

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A smaller town or residential area that is situated on the outskirts of a larger city or urban center.

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Example: This aerial view shows a suburb, a residential area with many single-family homes and yards, typically located on the outskirts of a larger city.

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Industrialization Noun

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[in-duhs-tree-uh-li-zey-shuhn]

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Industrialization

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The process of developing industries on a wide scale, which is a major factor contributing to the growth of cities.

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Example: This image shows a factory complex, a key feature of industrialization where goods are mass-produced, often leading to the growth of cities (urbanization).

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Infrastructure Noun

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[in-fruh-struhk-cher]

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Infrastructure

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The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities, like buildings and roads, needed for a society to properly function.

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Example: A bridge is a piece of transportation infrastructure that allows roads to cross obstacles like rivers, connecting areas and enabling the movement of people and goods.

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Heat Island Noun

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[heet ahy-luhnd]

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Heat Island

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An urban area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities and heat-absorbing materials.

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Example: This diagram shows that developed urban areas are hotter than surrounding rural areas, creating a 'heat island' due to materials that absorb and retain the sun's energy.

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Urban Sprawl Noun

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[ur-buhn sprawl]

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Urban Sprawl

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The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas, often characterized by low-density development that disrupts wildlife habitats and natural spaces.

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Example: This timeline shows how a city's developed area (in orange) expands outward from 1930 to 2010, demonstrating the process of urban sprawl.