AP Human Geography Unit 1

Choropleth Map

Uses shading or colors to represent data by area (like states or countries)

Dot Distribution Map

Uses dots to show frequency or concentration of a feature, where each dot represents a certain amount

Graduated (Proportional) Symbol Map

Uses symbols of different sizes to represent quantities, where larger symbols show more of something

Geospatial Data

Information that describes the physical and human characteristics of a place using location

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A computer system that stores, analyzes, and layers different types of geographic data

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A satellite-based system used to determine exact location on Earth

Remote Sensing

The process of collecting data about Earth’s surface from satellites or aircraft

Environmental Determinism

The belief that the physical environment controls human behavior and development

Possibilism

The belief that humans can adapt to and modify the environment, even though it sets some limits

Scale

The relationship between distance on a map and distance on Earth

Local Scale

A small area such as a neighborhood or city

Regional Scale

A group of places with shared characteristics

National Scale

A country-level analysis

Global Scale

A worldwide level of analysis

Formal Region

An area defined by one or more measurable shared traits, such as language or religion

Functional Region

An area organized around a central node or focal point

Perceptual Region

An area defined by people’s beliefs, feelings, or perceptions

Mercator Projection

Preserves direction and shape but greatly distorts size, especially near the poles

Robinson Projection

Attempts to balance size and shape distortion, creating a more visually accurate world map

Peters Projection

Preserves area (size) accurately but distorts shape

Distance Decay

The idea that interaction between places decreases as distance increases

Time-Space Compression

The reduction in the time it takes to travel between places due to improved technology

Pattern

The geometric or regular arrangement of something in space

Spatial Interaction

The movement of people, goods, and ideas between places