AP Human Geography Vocab Unit 1

Absolute Directions

Directions from a compass (N,E,S,W)

Absolute Distance

The exact number of miles from one place to another (0.4 miles)

Absolute Location

The precise location of a place (coordinates, address)

Cartogram

Map where the sizes of countries are bigger/smaller depending on the data (if the data is on population, the countries with the largest pops. will be the largest on the map

Cartography

Study of Maps

Choropleth Map

Uses colors/shades to show the distribution of data

Clustering

Distribution of high density and low distance

Contested Boundary

Fighting over the border between two or more countries

Cultural Landscape/ Built Environment

Physical attributes that are specific/unique to a location, these can tell you exactly where you are (Pyramids, temples, etc).

Distance Decay

If two places are far away they will have less interactions

Distribution

The amount a certain group is spread out

Dot Distribution or Dot-Density Map

A type of thematic map that uses dots to show amount and desnity of the described data

Formal Region

The nationally agreed upon definition of a location, "Virginia", "North America", "Loudoun County"

Functional Region

A name given to a location for common use, generally for a compairison and is centred around a location. "Washington D.C. Metropolitan area", "Domino's delivery area", "Silicon Valley"

GIS

Geospacial Information Science, Using locational data for science and research purpouses, Cholera map

GPS or Satellite Navigation Systems

Global Positioning System, Uses satellites and radio towers to get a specific location

Graduated Symbol or Proportional Symbol Map

A type of thematic map that uses symbol sizing to show the reletive amounts of data over an area. "Total alchol consumed per nation"

Human Environment Interaction

They relationship between how people interact with the environment and vice versa. "Rivers & Settlment patterns"

Human Geography

A science which shows the way people organize, interact, and work with the enviroment

Isoline Map

A type of thematic map that uses connected lines to create patterns of similar areas. "Topographical map"

Locator Map

Cartoonish/artistic interpretations of maps

Map Projection

A distorted and warped image of the globe used for traditional maps

Mercator Projection

The most famous and widely used map projection. Highly distorted near the poles in favor of straight longitude lines.

Overlapping Boundary

Political boundaries drawn with disregard for the cultural and functional boundries within the region.

Pattern

Repated commonalities between areas

Perceptual/Vernacular Region

Regions that exist within peoples minds and can be subjective. EX: Virginia is within the mid-atlantic region.

Peters Projection

Map projection that favors size over shape and distorts the continents to preserve the mass.

Physical Map

Shows the topography and landscape of a region

Place

Having a sense of place, understanding the unique features of the region, Area of earth's surface defined by its physical and human characteristics

Placelessness

Having no sense of place, feeling like you could be anywhere in the world.

Political Map

Map that lists boundries and cities of countries and states.

Qualitative Data

Data associated with a humanistic approach to geography

Quantitative Data

Data associated with mathematical models and statistical techniques

Reference Map

Shows the location of places and geographic features (like landforms, political boundaries, and cities) for general use, emphasizing location without a specific data-driven theme

Region

An area or division, especially part of a country or the world having definable characteristics but not always fixed boundaries

Regionalism

A group's shared identification with a specific geographic area, which can influence cultural, political, and social dynamics, and often results in collective action to achieve common goals within that region

Relative Direction

A direction that can change depending on the viwers' place. "Left", "Right", "Behind"

Relative Distance

A distance that can change depending on the viwers' place. "20 minutes from Freedom", "2 blocks down from Starbucks"

Relative Location

A location that can change depending on the viwers' place. "Near me", "Over there"

Remote Sensing

the scanning of the earth by satellite or high-flying aircraft in order to obtain information about it

Robinson Projection

A map projection that aims to minimize distortion by sacrificing perfect accuracy in shape, area, or distance for a visually appealing and balanced representation of the entire world

Scale

The relationship between a distance on a map and the corresponding distance on earth's surface

Sense of Place

Factors that contribute to the uniqueness of the location

Site

Physical character of a place.

Situation

Location relative to other places.

Space

Physical gap or interval between objects

Space-Time Compression

The reduction in time it takes to reach another place.

Spatial Interaction

The movement of people, goods, information, or ideas between places, along with the relationships that develop from this movement

Spatial Perspective

Where things are in relation to others and what they contain.

Thematic Map

Maps that share spatial information.

Topographic Map

A map which shows elevation using isoline lines

Topography

The study of/ map style of terrain hights

Toponym

The name given to a place on earth.

Transitional Boundary

A location that is between two regions and can fluctuate somewhat. "Sahara Desert"

Transitional Boundary

A location that is between two regions and can fluctuate somewhat. "Sahara Desert"