AP Human Geography – Unit 1, Lessons 1-4 Cram Sheet

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Unit 1, Lessons 1-4 of AP Human Geography.

Reference map

A map that shows location features such as physical or political aspects to indicate where things are.

Thematic map

A map that shows data tied to location related to a specific theme.

Choropleth

A thematic map using color or shading to represent data values by area.

Dot-density

A thematic map where dots represent the frequency or number of a phenomenon in an area.

Graduated symbol

A thematic map where symbol size varies to reflect magnitude or frequency.

Cartogram

A map that distorts geometry so that the size of places reflects a data value.

Isoline

Lines that connect points of equal value, such as temperature or elevation.

Absolute location

The exact position of a place using latitude and longitude.

Relative location

Location described in relation to other places or landmarks.

Site

Physical characteristics of a place, like soil, water, and climate.

Situation

Relative location with respect to surroundings, such as trade routes or rivers.

Latitude

East–west lines that measure distance north or south of the equator.

Longitude

North–south lines that measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

GPS

Global Positioning System; satellites that determine precise location for navigation.

GIS

Geographic Information System; computer system that stores, layers, and analyzes geographic data.

Mercator projection

A map projection that preserves shape and direction but distorts size.

Robinson projection

A compromise projection that balances shape and size, common in classrooms.

Distortion

All map projections distort at least one property: shape, size, distance, or direction.

Clustering

A pattern where features are grouped closely together in space.

Dispersal

Spread of a feature or phenomenon away from its origin.

Density

Frequency of a feature per unit area in space.

Distribution

The arrangement of features in space, e.g., clustered vs dispersed.

Absolute distance

The exact physical distance between places (miles or kilometers).

Relative distance

Perceived distance, such as a travel time (e.g., 20-minute drive).

Absolute direction

Cardinal directions: North, South, East, West.

Relative direction

Direction described in relation to other places (e.g., west of).

Scale (map scale)

The ratio between map distance and real-world distance (e.g., 1 in = 100 mi).

Scale of analysis

The level at which data are examined (local, regional, national, global).

Diffusion

The spread of ideas or phenomena across space.

Relocation diffusion

Diffusion that occurs when people move and carry ideas with them.

Expansion diffusion

Diffusion where an idea spreads outward from a source.

Hierarchical diffusion

Diffusion that spreads from nodes of power to broader areas.

Contagious diffusion

Rapid, widespread diffusion through close contact or proximity.

Stimulus diffusion

An idea spreads and is modified as it moves to new contexts.