Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Desert
An area too dry to support a continuous cover of trees or grass. A desert generally receives less than 10 inches (25 cm) of precipitation per year.
Glossary
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Desert shrub vegetation
Scant, bushy plant life occurring in deserts of the middle and low latitudes where there is not enough rain for trees or grasslands.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Desertification
An expansion of dry conditions to moist areas that are next to deserts.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Developed countries
The developed countries (DCs) are the top group in the hierarchy of developed countries (DCs), former USSR/Eastern Europe (former USSR/EE), and less developed countries (LDCs).
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Development
A process of improvement in people’s material conditions often linked to the diffusion of knowledge and technology.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Devolution
The process by which a sovereign country releases or loses more political and economic control to its constituent elements, such as states and provinces.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Dialect
A version of a language that reflects changes in speech patterns due to class, region, or cultural changes.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Diaspora
The scattering of the Jews outside Palestine beginning in the Roman Era.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Dictatorship
Dictatorship: a system of government where the ruler, or dictator, has absolute power.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Diffusion
The spread of ideas, inventions, or patterns of behavior to different societies.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Digital divide
The divide between the handful of countries that are the technology innovators and users and the majority of nations with little ability to create, purchase, or use new technologies.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Dike
An earthen bank is used to direct or prevent the passage of water.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Dissection
The carving of a landscape into erosional forms by running water.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Distance decay
A term referring to the concept that increasing distances between places tend to reduce interactions among them.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Distributary
A stream that results when a river subdivides into branches in a delta.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Diversify
To increase the variety of products in a country’s economy. To promote manufacturing and other industries to achieve growth and stability.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Djibouti
Location: East Africa Official name: Republic of Djibouti Formation (date of independence / date current borders were established): 1977 / 1977 Capital city: Djibouti Population: 900,000 / 101 people per sq mile (39 people per sq km) Total land area: 8494 square miles (22,000 square km) Language(s) spoken: Somali, Afar, French (official language), Arabic (official …
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Dome of the rock
A shrine in Jerusalem, located on the temple mount, houses the spot where Muslims believe Muhammad rose into heaven and where Jews believe Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac to god.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Domestication
The controlled breeding and cultivation of plants and animals.
Google Maps™ Driving Directions (Home) » Glossary »
Dominica
Location: West Indies Official name: Commonwealth of Dominica Formation (date of independence / date current borders were established): 1978 / 1978 Capital city: Roseau Population: 72,969 / 252 people per sq mile (97 people per sq km) Total land area: 291 square miles (754 square km) Language(s) spoken: French Creole, English (official language) Main religions: …