Unit 1: Thinking Geographically Flashcards

Flashcards defining core vocabulary terms from Unit 1: Thinking Geographically, covering geospatial concepts, types of maps, human-environment interaction, scale, and types of regions.

Geography

The science that describes the surface of the Earth and its associated physical, biological, economic, political, and demographic characteristics; simpler put, the study of the Earth and everything on it ("Why of where?").

Projection

The process of transferring locations on Earth's surface to a flat map, which inherently introduces distortions in shape (size) and distance.

Reference Map

A map designed to display physical geographic features (such as landforms and locations) as well as political data (such as boundaries and cities).

Thematic Map

A map that portrays the spatial pattern of a particular subject matter or theme within a geographic area.

Isoline Map

A thematic map that connects points of equal data value using continuous lines, such as showing average temperature ranges.

Cartogram

A specialized map where thematic data variables (such as population, electoral votes, or gold medal counts) scale and alter the geographic size of regions.

Clustered Spatial Pattern

A pattern where objects, data, or features on Earth's surface are grouped closely together.

Dispersed Spatial Pattern

A pattern where objects, data, or features on Earth's surface are spread out or scattered across an area.

Remote Sensing

A geospatial technology that collects data about the Earth's surface through satellites.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Geospatial technology used to collect, record, manipulate, analyze, and display geographic data to the user.

Environmental Determinism

The belief that the physical environment directly causes human social development (for example, the idea that Europe developed due to its temperate climate).

Possibilism

The concept that while the physical environment may limit some human actions, people have the capability to adjust to and alter their environment (for example, indoor skiing in Dubai).

Map Scale

The relationship between the size of features on a map and their actual size on the Earth, expressed as a fraction (e.g., $\frac{1}{24,000}$), ratio (e.g., $1:24,000$), or written statement (e.g., $1\,\text{inch} = 1\,\text{mile}$).

Large-Scale Map

A map that shows a small geographic area with a high level of detail (where the fraction ratio is larger, such as $\frac{1}{24,000}$ vs. $\frac{1}{1,000,000}$).

Scales of Analysis

The geographic levels (global, regional, national, and local/subnational) at which spatial data is observed and analyzed to reveal variations.

Toponym

The name given to a specific place on Earth.

Site

The physical characteristics of a location (e.g., landforms, climate, terrain).

Situation

The location of a place relative to other places around it.

Formal Region

Also known as a uniform region; an area in which everyone shares one or more common, distinct characteristics (such as shared government boundaries or crop production belts).

Functional Region

Also known as a nodal region; an area organized around a central focal point or node (such as a school district, store service area, or metropolitan area).

Vernacular Region

Also known as a perceptual region; an area defined by people's personal perceptions, mental maps, and shared cultural identity (such as the American South or the Rust Belt).