AP Human Geography Vocabulary

Map

A visual representation of an area, showing physical features, political boundaries, and more.

Cartographer

A person who creates maps.

Data aggregation

The process of compiling and summarizing data from multiple sources.

Spatial Perspective

An approach to understanding the organization of people and places, used in geography.

Spatial Patterns

The arrangement of various phenomena across space.

Time-distance decay

The principle that states that the interaction between two places decreases as the distance between them increases.

Map symbols

Icons or graphical representations used on a map to indicate features.

Legend

A key that explains the meanings of symbols used in a map.

Compass rose

A figure on a map that displays the orientation of the cardinal directions.

Absolute direction

A compass direction such as north, south, east, or west.

Map scale

The relationship between distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the ground.

Scale

The ratio or proportion that relates to the size of the map to the actual size of the area it represents.

Absolute distance

The exact measurement of the space between two points.

Relative distance

The measurement of distance based on the concept of distance in terms of time or cost.

Relative direction

Direction based on the perspective or context of the location (e.g., left, right).

Elevation

The height of a point on the Earth's surface above sea level.

Isoline

A line on a map that connects points of equal value, such as elevation.

Topographic map

A detailed and precise map depicting physical features of the terrain.

Reference map

A map designed primarily for general navigation and spatial reference.

Thematic map

A map that focuses on specific themes or subjects, such as population density.

Choropleth map

A thematic map that uses color or shading to represent statistical data.

Cartogram

A map in which some thematic mapping variable is substituted for land area.

Proportional/graduated circle map

A map that uses circles of different sizes to represent data values at geographic locations.

Dot density/dot distribution map

A map where dots are used to represent a feature or value in a specified area.

Map projection

A method for representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat surface.

Mercator projection

A cylindrical map projection known for its ability to represent direction accurately.

Peters projection

An equal-area map projection that aims to represent all areas in true proportion.

Good homolosine projection

A pseudocylindrical map projection that minimizes distortion for both area and shape.

Polar projection

A map projection centered around one of the poles.

Robinson projection

A map projection that attempts to balance the distortions of shape, area, distance, and direction.