APHG VOCAB UNIT 1

Absolute Distance

exact distance from one place to another

Absolute Location

the precise spot where something is according to some system

Area Distortion

the alteration of area on a map

Census Data

data gathered about a population by a census

Clustering

close together

Direction Distortion

the alteration of direction on a map

Dipersal

far apart

Distance Decay

the inverse relationship between distance and connection

Distance Distortion

the alteration of distance on a map

Elevation

altitude above sea level

Environmental Determinism

the belief that landforms and climate are the most powerful forces shaping human behavior and societal development

Field Observation

the act of an individual physically visiting a location or place and recording firsthand information there

Flows

movement of things

Formal Region

united by one or more traits (Uniform Region; Homogenous Region)

Functional Region

organized around a focal point and are defined by an activity that occurs across the region (Nodal Region)

Geographic Information System

computer system/software that stores, analyzes, and displays info from multiple digital maps or data sets

Geographical Data

data pertaining to anything on the earth's surface

Geospatial Data

information related to locations on the earth's surface

Global Positioning System

satellites orbit the earth and communicate locational info to GPS receivers

Global Scale

considers data at a global scale, encompassing the globe

Homegenous Region

region united by one or more trait (see formal region)

Land Use

how land in a certain area is used or managed by humans

Landscape Analysis

a process of studying and describing a landscape, generally with the goal of assessing the impact of humans on that space

Local Scale

considers data at the local level

Map Projection/Distortion

The process of a cartographer (map maker) showing the curved surface of the earth on a flat surface (map)

National Scale

considers data at the national level

Natural Resources

something found within the natural environment that is accessible and economically valuable to humans including food, water, soil, plants, animals, and minerals

Online Mapping

compilation and publication of web sites that provide graphical and text information in the form of maps

Online Visualization

compilation and publication of web sites that provide graphical and text information in the form of visuals

Pattern

the arrangement of objects on Earth's surface in relation to other objects

Perceptual Region

are defined by the informal sense of a place that ascribe to them. These regions' boundaries depend on the person who is defining them

Photographic Interpretation

act of examining photographic images for the purpose of identifying objects and judging for their significance

Place

the specific human and physical characteristics of a location

Policy Documents

communicate organizational policies and procedures

Environmental Possibilism

a view that acknowledges limits on the effects of the natural environment and focuses more on the role human culture plays

Reference Maps

are designed for people to refer to for general information about places

Regional Analysis

the study of a specific region or area, with the goal of understanding its characteristics and patterns

Regional Scale

considers data at the regional level

Relative Direction

relative-relationships

Relative Distance

Spatial Interaction: Connections, contacts, movement, and flow of things between places

Relative Location

Relationship to another place

Remote Sensing

The use of cameras or other sensors mounted on aircraft or satellites which orbit the earth above the atmosphere to collect digital images of the earth's surface

Satellite Imagery

image taken from satellite

Satellite Navigation System

Satellites orbit the earth and communicate locational information to GPS receivers

Shape Distortion

the alteration of shape on a map

Space

The physical gap or distance between two objects

Sustainability

the use of the earth's renewable and nonrenewable natural resources in ways that ensure resource availability in the future

Thematic Maps

maps that show spatial aspects of information or of a phenomena

Time Space Compression

the shrinking of 'time distance' between locations because of improved methods of transportation and communication

Region

a group of places in the same area that share a characteristic form a region