AP Human Unit 1

Geography

Study of where things are found on Earth's surface and the reasons for the location.

Physical Geography

Study of where and why natural forces occur as they do. Ex. climates, landforms, vegetation.

Human Geography

Study of where and why human activities are located where they are; patterns and processes shaping human use of Earth's surface.

Spatial Perspective

Framework for analyzing where phenomena are located, why they are there, and how they relate spatially.

Map

2‑D or flat scale model of Earth's surface or a portion of it.

Map scale

Relationship of a feature's size on a map to its actual size on Earth.

Map projection

Method of transferring Earth's surface to a flat map; all projections distort something.

Robinson projection

Balances several types of distortion; minimizes error in each.

Mercator projection

Cylindrical map preserving direction but distorting area near poles.

Azimuthal Projection

All points are at correct proportional distances and directions from the center.

Gall‑Peters Projection

Equal‑area projection centering Africa to treat all regions equally.

Dot map

Map where each dot represents a phenomenon; more dots = more of the phenomenon.

Thematic map

Map reflecting a specific theme.

Choropleth Map

Thematic map with shaded or patterned areas proportional to data.

Cartogram

Map where land area is distorted to represent data.

Isoline

Line connecting points of equal value; often used for elevation.

Mental Map

Internal geographic understanding of a place based on perception.

GIS

Computer system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographic data in layers.

Remote Sensing

Acquisition of Earth surface data from satellites or long‑distance methods.

GPS

System determining precise position of something on Earth.

Distribution

Arrangement of a feature in space; includes density, concentration, pattern.

Density

Frequency with which something occurs in space.

Concentration

Extent of a feature’s spread over space (clustered vs. dispersed).

Pattern

Geometric arrangement of objects in space.

Absolute Location

Exact location using latitude and longitude.

Relative Location

Location relative to other places.

Equator

Major line of latitude dividing Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Latitude Lines

Parallels measuring distance north or south of the equator; run east–west.

Longitude Lines

Meridians measuring distance east or west of the Prime Meridian; run north–south.

Prime Meridian

Major line of longitude dividing Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Absolute Distance

Exact measurement between places.

Relative Distance

Includes costs, effort, and connectivity between places.

Time‑space convergence

Idea that transportation and communication technology effectively shrink distance.

Globalization

Process making something worldwide in scope.

Local Diversity

Cultural differences maintained despite globalization.

Transnational Corporation

Company conducting research, production, and sales in multiple countries.

Time‑distance Decay

Interaction decreases as distance increases; ideas less likely to be adopted farther from the source.

Region

Area distinguished by cultural and physical features.

Cultural Landscape

Visible human imprint on the landscape; cultural, economic, and physical features.

Formal Region

Area where everyone shares one or more characteristics.

Functional Region

Area organized around a node or focal point.

Vernacular Region

Region people perceive as part of their cultural identity.

Place

Specific point on Earth with distinctive characteristics.

Site

Physical characteristics of a location (climate, water, soil, vegetation).

Situation

Location relative to other places; spatial context.

Cultural Ecology

Study of human–environment relationships.

Anthropogenic

Human‑induced environmental changes.

Environmental Determinism

Belief that physical environment shapes social development.

Possibilism

Idea that environment limits actions but humans can adjust.

Cartography

Practice of making maps.

Coordinate system

Grid of latitude and longitude used to determine absolute location.

Eratosthenes

Early cartographer who calculated Earth’s circumference and coined “geography.”

Geographic Scale

Scale at which a phenomenon is analyzed; finer scales show more detail.

International dateline

Line where each new day begins; centered on the 180° meridian.

Large Scale

Map with small area and high detail.

Natural Landscape

Physical environment unaffected by humans.

Proportional symbols map

Map where symbol size represents statistical magnitude.

Qualitative data

Humanistic, descriptive data from interviews, observations, texts, etc.

Quantitative data

Numerical data using statistical and mathematical analysis.

Reference Map

Map showing general reference information for navigation and landmarks.

Small scale

Map showing large area with less detail.

Sustainability

Using resources to meet present needs without harming future ability.

Topographic Map

Map using isolines to show elevation.

Carl Sauer

Geographer who developed cultural landscape concept and criticized environmental determinism.

Geographic Data

Qualitative and quantitative data from fieldwork, census, media, interviews, remote sensing, etc.

Absolute Direction

Compass directions like north and south.

Relative Direction

Directions based on perception (left, right, up, down).

Sequent Occupance

Successive groups leave imprints on a landscape.

Land Use

Human use of land (residential, agricultural, commercial).

Natural Resources

Materials like minerals, forests, water, fertile land used for economic gain.

Goode Homosoline

Equal‑area world map with interruptions.

Placemaking/Sense of Place

Creating meaningful places reflecting culture.

Toponym

Place name.