How is ethnicity defined in Human Geography?

Ethnicity is defined in Human Geography as a category of people who identify with each other based on shared cultural heritage, which is often linked to ancestry, language, or religion. This definition emphasizes the importance of cultural elements that bind a group together, allowing them to establish a sense of identity and community.

Shared heritage can include traditions, customs, values, and social practices, all of which contribute to a group's unique identity and how they are perceived in relation to others. Language plays a significant role as it is often a primary means of communication within an ethnic group and can serve to distinguish that group from others. Religion may also provide a common belief system that brings followers together, enhancing the bonds of ethnicity.

The other options do not fully encapsulate the concept of ethnicity. Economic wealth and social status pertain more to social stratification rather than cultural identity. Geographic location alone does not define an ethnic group since people of the same ethnicity can live in different places and vice versa. National identity may overlap with ethnicity, but it often involves legal citizenship and political affiliations rather than the specific cultural characteristics that define an ethnic group.