Vocabulary 17: China - The World's Most Populous Country

PLATEAU

a raised area of land, such as a hill or mountain, with a flat top

RENEWABLE RESOURCES

a resource that can't be used up or that can be replaced as quickly as it is used. Sunlight is an example of a resource that cannot be used up. Wood is an example of a resource that can be replaced by planting more trees.

FAMINE

a severe shortage of food that results in widespread hunger

RATE OF NATURAL INCREASE

an annual rate of population growth. This percentage is calculated by subtracting the death rate from the birth rate. It does not include people moving into or out of a country

RESERVOIR

an artificial lake where water is sorted

DROUGHT

an unusually long period in which little or no rain falls

POLLUTION

damage to the natural environment caused by harmful substances; also refers to harmful substances

HYDROELECTRIC POWER

electricity that is generated from the power of moving water

RURAL

found in or living in areas that are NOT close to cities

DEVELOPING COUNTRY

a poorer country with a less advanced economy. In general, these countries are trying to increase their industries and improve life for their people

STANDARD OF LIVING

the overall level of comfort and well-being of a group or country

BASIN

a bowl-shaped depression, or hollow, in Earth's surface

TOXIC CHEMICAL

a chemical that is poisonous to humans or other living things

ECOSYSTEM

a community of all the living things in an area and the environment in which they live

ZERO POPULATION GROWTH

a condition in which the population of a country does not grow but remains stable. This condition comes about when the birth rate plus immigration equals the death rate plus emigration.

DESERT

a geographical region with too little rainfall to support much plant life; also a vegetation zone

LANDSCAPE

a large area with a particular kind of scenery

FAULT

a line on Earth's surface that results from a deep crack in the crust

MIGRANT WORKER

a person who moves regularly in order to find work, especially in harvesting crops

TECHNOLOGY

the creation and use of tools to meet practical needs; also refers to the tools themselves

FLOODPLAIN

the flat area around a river that is covered with sediment as a result of frequent flooding

DOUBLING TIME

the length of time it takes for a population to double

HABITATS

the natural environments in which a plant or animal lives

BIRTH RATE

the number of births in a year for every 1,000 people in a population

DEATH RATE

the number of deaths in a year for every 1,000 people in a population

SITES

the specific place where something is located, including its physical setting

CONSUMPTION

the using up of goods and services; also the purchase and use of goods and services by consumers