Unit 1: Thinking Geographically

absolute direction

Based on the cardinal points of North, South, East, and West. These appear uniformly and independently in all cultures, derived from obvious givens of nature

absolute distance

Exact measurement of the physical space between two places.

absolute location

The exact position of an object or place, measured within the spatial coordinates of a grid system (latitude and longitude)..

census data

Periodic count of a population, in the US every 10 years, which collects data that indicates a myriad of demographic indicators (e.g. ethnic makeup, age profiles, religious beliefs, access to plumbing...); also, significant in the USA for representation in the House of Representatives (federal government).

clustering

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Gathering; forming in a group, more densely populated.

dispersal

Movement of individuals away from centers of high population density or their area of origin. Distributing as opposed to clustering.

distance decay

The diminishing in importance and eventual disappearance of a phenomenon with increasing distance from its origin.

elevation

The height of land above sea level.

environmental determinism

A doctrine that claims that cultural traits are formed and controlled by environmental conditions.

field observations

A study of a phenomenon in a natural setting.

formal/uniform region

An area which shares in one or more distinctive characteristic(s) (either human or physical).

functional/nodal Region

Area organized around a node or focal point/place where there is a central focus that diminishes in importance outward.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A collection of computer hardware and software that permits spatial data to be collected, recorded, stored, retrieved, manipulated, analyzed, and displayed to the user. Often referred to as the layering of data on a map.

global scale

analyzing data and information at the global level, or patterns across the entire world such as climate regions or international migration

Landscape Analysis

Using field observation, spatial data, and aerial photography to gather data to define and describe landscapes.

land use

Various ways humans use the land such as agricultural, industrial, residential, or recreational.

local scale

analyzing data or information that describes the space where an individual lives or works; a city, town, neighborhood, or rural area

map projection

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A way of representing the spherical Earth on a flat surface.

natural resources

Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain.

pattern

The geometric arrangement of objects in space (not off the planet/outer-space). For Geography, the arrangement of objects on Earth's surface (spatial patterns)

perceptual (vernacular) region

An area that only exists as a conceptualization or an idea and not necessarily as an actual entity, based on thoughts and personal perception.

personal interview

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A face-to-face conversation in which a researcher surveys an individual to obtain research data.

place

A specific point on Earth distinguished by its human and physical characteristics..

policy documents

Policies are business or government rules and guidelines that ensure consistency and compliance with the strategic direction of the entity. The Policies lay out the business or government's rules under which a company, division, or department will operate.

possibilism

The theory that the physical environment may set limits on human actions, but people have the ability to adjust to the physical environment using innovation and choose a course of action from many alternatives.

reference maps

Maps that show the absolute location of places and general geographic features determined by a frame of reference, typically latitude and longitude. (political maps, physical maps, road maps)

regional scale

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Viewing data or a phenomena occurring in an area usually larger than a country (e.g. South Asia or section of the world). Can also be an area within a country (farming regions in a country)

relative direction

Directions such as left, right, forward, backward, up, and down based on people's perception of places.

relative distance

Distance measured in terms such as cost or time which are more meaningful for the space relationship in question.

relative location

The position of a place in relation to another place.

remote sensing

A method of collecting data or information through the use of instruments that are physically distant from the area or object of study (e.g aircraft or satellite).

satellite navigation system

A device used to plot the user's position on a map, using GPS technology to obtain the location.

sustainability

The ability to keep in existence or maintain. A sustainable ecosystem is one that can be maintained.

thematic map

A type of map that displays one or more variables-such as population, or income level-within a specific area. These are referred to as spatial aspects of information

time-space compression

The rapid innovation of communication and transportation technologies associated with globalization that transforms the way people think about space and time.

national or state scale

analyzing data or information by looking at patterns from an entire country.

flows

Referring to the movement of people, ideas, disease, goods, etc from one place to another.

space

occupying a spot on the surface of Earth

spatial pattern

patterns of information that can be tied to specific points on the surface of Earth such as population distribution, migration patterns, etc..