AP Human Geography - All Vocabulary

All vocab words for APHG based on the National Geographic AP Textbook. Different colors represent different chapters.

absolute location

the exact location of an object; usually expressed in coordinates of latitude and longitude

biosphere

the global sum of all ecosystems on Earth, as well as their interaction with the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere

core (World System Theory)

wealthier countries with higher education and advanced technology; highly interconnected through transportation, communication, and alliances; controlling the global market

diffusion

the process in which a cultural trait, idea, or innovation spreads from one place to another

distance decay

the geographic principle that interaction decreases as distance increases

distribution

the way things are arranged in a given space

ecological perspective

involves studying the interactive and independent relationships among living things, ecosystems, and human societies

environmental determinism

the discredited theory that argues human behavior and growth of a society are largely controlled by the physical environment

expansion diffusion

a diffusion process where a trait is spread from a central location outwards, increasing there

formal region

an area that has one or more shared traits, which can be represented by borders, and whether data can be collected in that area

functional region

an area organized by its function around a focal point or center of an activity or interest

globalization

the expansion of economic, cultural, and political processes on a worldwide scale

hearth

a region or place where new ideas, innovations, or cultural practices originate and then spread to other areas

hierarchical diffusion

the diffusion process, where powerful/popular people inspire the process through direct connection

human-environmental interaction

the study of how humans depend, adapt to, and modify their environment

human geography

the study of events and processes that have shaped how humans understand, use, and alter Earth

hydrosphere

all water on Earth and how it interacts with the other spheres

location

the position that a point or object occupies on Earth (can be expressed in absolute or relative terms)

movement

the flow of people, goods, ideas, and information

network

a system of interconnected nodes linked by routes

node

the focus of a region that serves a certain function and has internal connections that tie the region together

pattern

how things are arranged in a particular space

periphery (World System Theory)

countries with less wealth, lower education levels, and advanced technology. Tend to have less stable governments, healthcare, and a lack of connection. Often supply raw materials and cheap labor to semi-peripheral countries

physical geography

the study of natural processes and the distribution of features in the environment, such as landforms, plants, animals, and climate

place

a vibe or feeling regarding a specific area. Can describe how physical features feel or how cultural aspects feel

possibilism