Unit 1: Thinking Geographically

Physical Geography

The study of spatial characteristics of various elements of the environment such as weather, climate, ecosystems, biomes, and geology.

Human Geography

The study of the spatial characteristics of humans and their activities.

Spatial Analysis

The practice of analyzing locations to understand why things and people are situated where they are and the importance of their location.

Four Level Analysis spatial framework

A process for examining maps, charts, graphs, and data to understand spatial patterns and their implications.

Reference Maps

Maps designed for general information about places.

Political Maps

Maps that show human-created boundaries such as countries, states, cities, and capitals.

Physical Maps

Maps that display natural features such as mountains, rivers, and deserts.

Thematic Maps

Maps that show spatial aspects of specific information.

Choropleth Maps

Thematic maps that use colors or patterns to show quantitative spatial data.

Proportional Symbol Map

Maps that use graduated symbols to represent spatial data.

Dot Distribution Maps

Maps that show specific locations of phenomena using dots where each dot represents a quantity.

Isoline Maps

Maps that connect points of equal value using lines, showing data across space.

Cartograms

Maps where the size of countries is altered according to specific data.

Map Scale

The ratio between the sizes of things in the real world and those on the map, influencing detail.

Absolute Location

The precise location of something defined by coordinates.

Relative Location

Describes where something is in relation to other features.

Connectivity

The extent to which different locations are connected to one another.

Accessibility

The ease with which people can reach or interact with another location.

Absolute Distance

A measure of distance using precise units.

Relative Distance

A description of distance based on time or cost rather than exact units.

Place

The specific human and physical characteristics of a location.

Clustered Distribution

Phenomena arranged in concentrated groups within an area.

Linear Distribution

Phenomena arranged in a straight line.

Dispersed Distribution

Phenomena spread out over a large area.

Circular Distribution

Phenomena equally spaced around a central point.

Geometric Distribution

Phenomena arranged in a regular pattern.

Random Distribution

Phenomena with no apparent order to their position.

Projection

The method of representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map, which inevitably distorts certain characteristics.

Mercator Projection

Map projection suitable for navigation due to accurate angles, but distorts the size of land masses near the poles.

Peters Projection

Map projection that accurately represents the sizes of land masses, but distorts their shapes.

Goode-Homosoline Projection

Map projection preserving area and shape but interrupts bodies of water.

Mollweide Projection

Equal area projection that maintains sizes but distorts shapes.

Robinson Projection

A general-purpose map projection with minimal distortion, presenting a more realistic view.

Conic Projection

Used for mapping mid-latitude regions, maintaining approximate size and shape, but distorting directions.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Integrated computer systems for handling and analyzing data specifically referenced to Earth's surface.

GPS

Global Positioning System that accurately determines the position of objects on Earth through satellites.

Remote Sensing

Data acquisition about Earth's surface via satellites or airborne technologies.

Field Observations

Collecting data directly from a location through personal visits.

Sense of Place

The personal or emotional significance attributed to a particular location.

Time-space Compression

The reduction of time it takes to travel or communicate between locations due to advancements in technology.

Friction of Distance/Distance Decay

The principle that increased distance reduces interaction between locations.

Environmental Determinism

The theory that climate and physical environment are the primary determinants of human behaviors and cultures.

Possibilism

The theory that while the environment may limit certain human actions, people have the ability to adjust and make choices.

Scales of Analysis

Different levels of analysis from global to local scales to understand geographical phenomena.

Formal Regions

Regions defined by uniform features, either physical or cultural.

Functional/Nodal Regions

Regions defined by a system of connections and interactions.

Vernacular/Perceptual Regions

Regions defined by people's feelings and perceptions rather than objective data.