Page 563 - THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 11 AND 12 | Canadian and World Studies

flow resource. A resource that is neither renewable nor non-renewable, but must be used when
and where it occurs (e.g., running water, wind, sunlight).
forensic evidence. Scientific evidence, such as the result of blood tests, DNA analysis, or ballistic analysis, that can be used in court.
fossil fuel. A non-renewable energy source that is formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals (e.g., coal, natural gas, petroleum). See also non-renewable resource.
free trade. Trade, including international and interprovincial trade, where tariffs are not applied to imports, and exports are not subsidized.
Fujita scale. Also knows as the Fujita-Pearson scale or the F-scale, a scale used to measure the intensity of a tornado based on the amount of damage it has caused. The scale ranges from an F0, the lowest intensity, to F5, the highest.
genocide. The planned, systematic destruction of a national, racial, political, religious, or ethnic group.
geodetic datum/geodetic system. A coordinate system and a set of reference points used to locate places on Earth.
geographic information system (GIS). A technological system that allows for the digital manipulation of spatial data, such as those relating to land use, physical features, and the impact of disasters. Users of GIS can input data and create and analyse tables, maps, and graphs in order to solve problems relating to a specific area of land and/or water. See also spatial technologies.
global commons. Earth’s resources, such as the oceans or the atmosphere, that have no political boundaries because they are part of systems that circulate throughout the world.
globalization. A process, accelerated by modern communications technology, that multiplies and strengthens the economic, cultural, and financial interconnections among many regions of the world.
global positioning system (GPS). A navigation and positioning system that uses satellites and receivers to provide highly accurate location coordinates for positions on or above Earth’s surface. See also spatial technologies.
governor general.* The personal representative of the Queen, who acts on her behalf in performing certain duties and responsibilities in the federal jurisdiction.
Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Lowlands. The area that surrounds the lower Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, including the most densely populated portions of Ontario and Quebec. This area of gently rolling hills and flat plains provides an excellent physical base for agriculture and settlement and is often described as the country’s heartland.
grey market. Trade in goods and/or services that is legal but occurs outside of authorized or official trading channels.
grid. A pattern of lines on a chart or map, such as those representing latitude and longitude, which helps determine absolute location and assists in the analysis of distribution patterns. The term also refers to a coordinate plane that contains an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis (vertical) and is used to describe the location of a point.
gross domestic product (GDP). The value of
all the goods and services produced in a country in one year.
groundwater. Water below the surface of the land. Often an aquifer, groundwater can also take the form of underground streams or lakes or be held in pores in the soil. Groundwater is constantly in motion as part of the hydrological cycle. See also aquifer.
GLOSSARY
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