UNIT 1 THINKING GEOGRAPHICALLY

Physical Geography

The study of the spatial characteristics of various elements of the physical environment; topics include landforms, bodies of water, climate, ecosystems, and erosion.

Human Geography

The study of the spatial characteristics of humans and human activities; topics include population, culture, politics, urban areas, and economics.

Reference Map

Maps that give general information about navigation and location. Designed for people to refer to for general information about places.

Thematic Map

Maps that communicate information about a place and show spatial aspects of information or a phenomenon.

Choropleth Map

Maps that use various colors, shades of one color, or patterns to show the location and distribution of spatial data. Often show rates or other quantitative data in defined areas.

Dot Distribution Map

Maps in which each dot represents a specified quantity of a spatial characteristic; used to show the specific location and distribution of something across a map.

Graduated Symbol Map

Maps that use symbols of different sizes to indicate different amounts of a variable. Larger sizes indicate more, smaller sizes indicate less.

Isoline Map

Maps that use lines that connect points of equal value to depict variations in the data across space; used for weather and elevation.

Topographic Map

A type of isoline map where points of equal elevation are connected to create contours that depict surface features.

Cartogram

A map in which the sizes of countries are shown according to a specific variable, distorting the area to show a variable. Useful for comparing data and visualizing distance and distribution.

Cartographic Scale

Refers to the way the map communicates the ratio of its size to the size of what it represents, such as "1 inch equals 10 miles."

Small-Scale Maps

Maps that show a larger amount of area with less detail. Example: global scale Earth at night.

Absolute Location

The precise spot where something is according to a system, such as latitude and longitude. Exact and precise location.

Relative Location

A description of where something is in relation to other things; a relationship to another place. Examples: next to my house, between Werk & Lawrence.

Space

The area between 2 or more phenomena or things. How space is arranged, used, and reflected in people’s attitudes and beliefs.

Location

Identifies where specific phenomena are located either on a grid system or relative to another location. Can be absolute or relative.

Place

Refers to the specific human and physical characteristics of a location.

Site

The characteristics at the immediate location, including environmental features like climate, water sources, topography, soil, vegetation, and elevation.

Situation

Refers to the location of a place relative to its surroundings and its connectivity to other places.

Sense of Place

How humans tend to perceive the characteristics of a place in different ways based on their personal beliefs; factors that contribute to the uniqueness of a location.

Toponyms

Place names; usually reflective of the culture and history of a place. Example: Georgetown, Washington, etc.

Time-Space Compression

The shrinking “time-distance” between locations because of improved methods of transportation and communication. Increasing sense of accessibility and connectivity.

Friction of Distance

Indicates that when things are farther apart, they tend to be less connected.

Distance Decay

The inverse relationship between distance and connection; interaction declines as distance increases.

Pattern

Refers to the general arrangement of things being studied; geographers must be able to describe accurately and with precision.

Human-Environment Interaction

The dual relationship between humans and the natural world; the connection and exchange between them.

Sustainability

An overarching theme of human geography related to using resources now in ways that allow their use in the future while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

Land Use

The study of how land is utilized, modified, and organized by people. Patterns are studied that show conclusions on the reasons for the specific use and the varying impacts on the environment, landscapes, and people.

Built Environment

The physical artifacts that humans have created and that form part of the landscape, in their understanding of land use. Examples: buildings, roads.

Environmental Determinism

The belief that climate and landforms are the most powerful forces shaping human behavior and societal/cultural development.

Possibilism

Acknowledges the limitations imposed by the natural environment but focuses on the role of human culture to modify and respond to the environment to better fit human needs.

Global Scale

The entire world. Includes global Earth at night image & world population density map.

World Scale

Multiple countries of the world such as North America and South Asia.

National Scale

One country such as the United States or Thailand.

Regional Scale

A portion of a country or regions within a country such as the Midwest or Eastern China.

Local Scale

A province, state, city, county, or a neighborhood such as Tennessee or the Moscow Region.

Regions

Have boundaries, unifying characteristics, cover space, and are created by people. Can change depending on who defines them, the scale of analysis and can overlap causing disagreements and tension

Formal Region

Uniform/ homogeneous regions that are untied by one or more traits such as politically, physically, culturally or economically.

Functional Region

Regions that are organized around a focal point and defined by an activity that is usually political, social or economic. They are untied by networks of communication and transportation.