AP Human Geography Ultimate Guide (copy)

Space

The geometric surface of the Earth, defined by location and distance from other objects.

Activity Space

The area where daily activities occur.

Place

An area of bounded space with human importance.

Toponym

A place-name assigned to a location recognized for its human importance.

Regions

Categories of places, including formal, functional, and vernacular regions.

Sequent Occupancy

The succession of groups and cultural influences over time in the same area.

Scale

The relationship of an object or place to Earth as a whole.

Map Scale

The ratio of distance on a map to real-world distance.

Relative Scale

The level of aggregation for examining grouped things.

Formal Regions

Areas with homogeneous characteristics or uniformity.

Functional Regions

Areas defined by a central point or node with a practical purpose.

Vernacular Regions

Regions that exist based on the perception of the residents.

Absolute Location

A specific point defined by coordinates like latitude and longitude.

Prime Meridian

0° longitude, running through Great Britain.

Equator

0° latitude, dividing the Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Time Zones

Areas divided into 15-degree-wide longitudinal zones reflecting local time.

Relative Location

A place's location in relation to known places or geographic features.

Site

The physical characteristics of a place.

Situation

A place's interrelatedness with other locations.

Distance Decay

The principle that interaction decreases with distance.

Friction of Distance

Factors that inhibit interaction based on distance.

Space-Time Compression

The reduction of time and distance between places due to technology.

Human-Environment Interaction

The reciprocal effects between humans and their environment.

Central Places

Nodes of human activity, often centers of economic exchange.

Cluster

When objects are grouped closely on the Earth's surface.

Agglomeration

Purposeful clustering around a central point or economic growth pole.

Random Pattern

No evident rhyme or reason in the distribution of spatial phenomena.

Long-lot Patterns

Narrow frontages along a road or waterway with long lot shapes behind.

Arithmetic Density

The number of things per square unit of distance.

Physiologic Density

The number of people per unit of arable land.

Agricultural Density

The number of farmers per unit of arable land.

Hearth

The point of origin for cultural phenomena or innovations.

Expansion Diffusion

A pattern that spreads outward from a central place.

Hierarchical Diffusion

Culture spread from a first-order location to subordinate locations.

Contagious Diffusion

Cultural traits spreading to nearby locations.

Stimulus Diffusion

A pattern where a general principle stimulates new ideas or products.

Relocation Diffusion

The movement of cultural traits across physical barriers.

Spatial Analysis

The mathematical analysis of geographic patterns.

Topographic Maps

Maps that show elevation and urban features.

Thematic Maps

Maps expressing a specific subject without portraying physical features.

Choropleth Maps

Thematic maps that use color variations to express geographic variability.

Isoline Maps

Maps calculating data values between points over a surface.

Dot Density Maps

Maps utilizing dots to represent volume and density.

Flow-Line Maps

Maps showing movement direction and volume with lines.

Cartograms

Maps using simplified geometries to represent real-world places.

Mental Maps

Cognitive images of landscapes in human minds.

Linear Map Scale

Expresses distance on a map surface.

Ratio Scale

Mathematical relationship between map distance and real-world distance.

Large-Scale Map

A map with a large ratio representing small areas.

Small-Scale Map

A map with a small ratio covering larger areas.

Equal-Area Projections

Projections maintaining area accuracy.

Conformal Projections

Projections maintaining shapeliness.

Robinson Projection

A balanced projection sacrificing area and form for visual practicality.

Model

An abstract generalization of geographical patterns.

Spatial Models

Models showing common patterns among similar landscapes.

Gravity Model

Mathematical model estimating spatial analysis such as transportation flow.

Demographic Transition Models

Models showcasing population dynamics without spatial reference.

GIS

Systems that integrate multiple data layers for spatial analysis.

GPS

Network of satellites providing location services.

Aerial Photography

Images of the Earth captured from aircraft.

Remote Sensing

Data collection from Earth’s surface via satellites.

Birth Rate

The number of live births per total population typically expressed per 1,000.

Death Rate

The number of deaths per total population typically expressed per 1,000.

Rate of Natural Increase (RNI)

A percentage representing annual population growth.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

Estimated average number of children born per woman of birthing age.

Net Migration Rate (NMR)

The number of immigrants minus emigrants per thousand of population.

Dependency Ratio

The number of people too old or young to work relative to working-age population.

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

A theory outlining population changes through economic development stages.

Epidemiological Transition Model (ETM)

Model focused on how health and disease impact population growth.

S-Curve of Population

A graph demonstrating population growth followed by eventual stabilization.

Stage One DTM

Characterized by high birth and death rates with little population growth.

Stage Two DTM

Characterized by high birth rates, declining death rates, and increasing population.

Stage Three DTM

Characterized by declining birth and death rates leading to slow growth.

Stage Four DTM

Characterized by low birth and death rates resulting in little or zero population growth.

Stage Five DTM

Characterized by population decline due to very low birth rates.

Malthusian Theory

The theory suggesting population growth will outpace food production.

Population Pyramids

Graphical representation of population structure based on age and gender.

Overpopulation

Concern regarding resource availability in densely populated regions.

Migration

Voluntary or involuntary movement of people between locations.

Push Factors

Circumstances that drive individuals away from their location.

Pull Factors

Circumstances that attract individuals to a new location.

Culturally Constructed Traditions

Social rules developed by a specific culture group.

Syncretic Religion

A religion that synthesizes beliefs from two or more religions.

Franklin's Rule of Threes

Factors influencing a location's climate based on latitude, altitude, and landforms.

Cultural Hearth

The origin or main center of a specific culture or civilization.

Acculturation

The process of adapting to a new culture while retaining some of the original culture.

Assimilation

The process where a minority culture completely adopts the majority culture.

Gentrification

The process of renovating deteriorated urban neighborhoods.

Urban Sprawl

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas.

Edge Cities

New suburban downtowns that emerge outside of traditional urban centers.

Suburbanization

The movement of populations from urban areas to suburban areas.

Counterurbanization

The reverse migration from urban to rural areas.

Deindustrialization

The decline of industrial activity in a region or economy.

Just-in-Time Production

A strategy for managing inventory that reduces waste and improves efficiency.

Supply Chains

Networks of suppliers and organizations involved in producing and delivering a product.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Investments made by a company in one country in business interests in another country.

Technology Transfer

The process of sharing technological innovations among various stakeholders.

Globalization

The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.