AP Human Geography: Unit 1 ~ Thinking Geographically ~

AP Human Geography: Unit 1 ~ Thinking Geographically

Reference maps

Used to reference things and earth’s different attributes.

Types of reference maps (2)

Political maps; Physical maps

Political maps

Shows state and national boundaries

Physical maps

Shows physical features of an area on earth

Thematic maps

Types of maps with clearly stated (usually in tittle) themes

Types of Thematic maps (5)

Isoline; Choropleth; Dot distribution; Catogram; graduated symbol

Isoline maps

A map that connects places of a particular value by lines

Choropleth map

A map in which areas are shaded or patterned in proportion to the measuring of the variable

Dot distribution map

A map that uses dot symbols to show the presence or absence of something

Cartogram

A map which the projection and scale are distributed in order to convey the info of a variable

Graduated symbol

A map that displays symbols that change in size according to the value of the variable

Scales of analysis / Scales of Inquiry

acts as a frame of reference and how information is chunked

Scales (4)

Global, Regional, National, and Local

Small scale maps

Small map, Large detail

Large scale maps

Large map, Small detail

Regions

Portions of the earth that share similar characteristics

Formal/uniform regions

Clearly marked lines (boarders)

Functional/Nodal regions

Has focal point and range, and as you get further from the focal point it decreases

Perceptual/Vernacular

one’s perception of an area

Absolute location

Never changing position (ex: Coordinates)

Relative location

The positions of a place or entity based on its location with respect to other locations

Absolute direction

always points same direction (north, east, south, west)

Relative direction

depends on objects current locations (left, right, forward)

Absolute distance

A distance that can be measured with a standard unit of measurement (kilometers)

Relative distance

A measure of the social,cultural, and economic relatedness of a place or connectivity

Geographic Grid

a system of imaginary lines, including latitude and longitude, that are used to determine the location of places on Earth's surface.

Latitude/parallel

The numbering system used to indicate location of parallel is drawn on globe and measuring distance north and south of the equator

Longitude/Meridian

The numbering system used to indicate the location of meridians drawn on a globe and measuring distance east and west of the prime meridian

Prime Meridian

Designated 0 degrees longitude, that passes through the Royal observatory at Greenwich England

Equator

0 degrees latitude, parallel, largest circumference

International date line

An arc that for the most part follows 180 degrees longitude east (towards U.S.A.) back 24 hours west (towards Asia) ahead a day

Map projections and distortions: Shape, Area, Distance, and Direction

Type of distortions (each are separate types)

Mercator Projection

map used in most text books is distorted near the poles

Gall-Peters Projection

The map some people would rather have in text books but there are distortions in size of contents

Robinson Projection

Shows the entire earth and distorts both shape and size and direction

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Computer systems that store, analyze, and display data related to the Earth's surface. GIS systems can capture, store, and display data such as buildings, streets, and vegetation on a map. GIS can also be used to monitor changes in the Earth's surface over time by collecting imagery at regular intervals.

Remote sensing

the process of studying an object or location without making physical contact with it. It involves taking pictures of the Earth's surface from satellites or aircraft to gain a better understanding of the Earth's geography over long distances.

GPS (Global positioning system)

is a satellite-based navigation system that determines the exact location of an individual on Earth. GPS uses satellites, tracking stations, and receivers to determine a position on Earth.

Space

physical gap between 2 objects

Clustered distribution

Distinct concentration (spread of people, things, ideas, cultural practices, etc.)

Dispersed distribution

separated

Diffusion

spread of people, things, ideas, cultural practices, etc. to a place

Relocation diffusion

The spread of an idea from one place to another by the physical movement of people.

Expansion diffusion

when innovations spread to new places while staying strong in their original locations. (it's an umbrella term that includes stimulus, Hierarchical, reverse hierarchical, and contagious diffusion)

Stimulus diffusion

The spread of a hidden principle even though the original characteristics fails to diffuse.

Hierarchical diffusion

The spread of an idea from people of authority, power, or influence to other people or places

Reverse Hierarchical diffusion

Rural to Urban

Contagious diffusion

A rapid or widespread diffusion of a characteristic through a population

Place names/Toponyms

Name given to a particular place on earth

Human place

Specific place on earth earth with human and physical characteristics that distinguished it from other places

Physical place

a specific point on Earth with physical and human characteristics that make it distinct from other places.

Site

Exact location, found on map

Situation

surrounding features; both man made features and natural

Distance decay

The idea of the farther you are away from someone the less likely you are to interact

Friction of distance

Concept that the length of the journey (distance) and the difficulty (friction) affects time to complete journey

Globalization

A force or process that involves the whole world making it Global (world-wide scale)

Globalization of Economy

The increasing connection of economic, cultural, and political characteristics across the world

Transnational corporations

a company that operates in multiple countries, conducting research, operating factories, and selling products in more than one country.

Core countries

developed countries

Periphery countries

developing countries

Resource

A substance in the environment that is useful to people

Human Environment Interaction

Connections between humans and the environment

Modifications

Changes made by humans to modify or alter the physical environment to suit their needs

Adaptations

Changes the way they live so they can live in the environment

Renewable resource

produced by nature at a higher production rate than human consumption

Non renewable resource

produced by nature at a higher human consumption rate than production rate

sustainability

The use of something on earth they is used in a way to make sure it’s available in the future(pillars are environmental, economic, and social)

Environmental determinism

The idea that the environment decides what people can and can’t do

Possibilism

The idea that the physical environment sets limits on human actions, but humans are able to adjust the physical environment

Quantitative data

Data with numbers (ex:census)

Qualitative data

Data with people perspectives about a topic or idea (ex: interviewing people about something)

Census

The process of collecting, compiling, and publishing data about the population and housing of a country or region