AP Human Geography Unit 1-1.3

Absolute location

This is the precise spot where something is according to a system

Cartogram

The size of countries (or states, countries, or other areal units) are shown according to some specific statistic.

Cartographic scale

This word refers to the way the map communicates the ratio of its size to the size of what it represents.

Choropleth maps

This map uses various colors, shades of one color, or patterns to show the location and distribution of spatial data.

Dot distribution maps

This map is used to show the specific location and distribution of something across a map. Each dot represents a specified quantity.

Equator

an imaginary line that circles the globe exactly halfway between the North and South poles.

Geospatial Data

Quantitative and spatial. It has a geographic location component to it such as a country, city, zip code, latitude, longitude, or address

Graduated symbol maps

This map uses symbols of different sizes to indicate different amounts of something, and smaller sizes indicate less.

Human Geography

Study of the spatial characteristics of humans and human activities.

Isoline maps

These maps are called isometric maps, use lines that connect points of equal value to depict variations in the data across space.

Large-scale maps

Shows a smaller amount of area with a greater amount of detail - North America at night is an example.

Latitude

This is the distance north or south of the equator, an imaginary line that circles that globe exactly halfway between the North and South poles.

Longitude

Is the distance east or west of the prime meridian

Model

Representations of reality or theories about reality, to help geographers see general spatial patterns, focus on the influence of specific factors, and understand variations from place to place.

Networks

Set of interconnected entities, sometimes called nodes

Nonspatial Models

Illustrates theories and concepts using words, graphs, or tables

Plat Maps (Reference)

Show and label property lines and details of land ownership

Physical Geography

The study of the spatial characteristics of various elements of the physical environment.

Physical maps

Show and label natural features, such as mountains, rivers, and deserts.

Qualitative sources

Not usually represented by numbers. This data is collected as interviews, photographs, remote satellite images, descriptions, or cartoons

Quantitative data

Any information that can be measured and recorded using numbers.

Road map

Show and label highways, streets, and alleys.

Scale of analysis

This involves studying phenomena by zooming in and zooming out in order to develop a more complete understanding of what topics are being studied.

Scale

This is the ratio between the size of things in the real world and the size of those same things on the map.

Small-scale maps

show a larger amount of are with less detail-global scale Earth at night is an example.

Spatial models

Look like stylized maps, and they illustrate theories spatial distributions.

Spatial patterns

refer to the general arrangement of things being studied

Thematic maps

Show spatial aspects of information or of a phenomenon.

topographic maps

A common type of isoline maps. Points of equal elevation are connected on these maps, creating contours that depict surface features.

Prime-meridian

An imaginary line that runs from pole to pole through Greenwich, England. It is designated as 0 degrees.

Time-distance decay

the idea is that things, such as cities, near each other are more closely connected or related than things that are far apart.

International date line

roughly follows this line but makes deviations to accommodate international boundaries

Relative location

description of where something is in relation to other things

Distribution

The way a phenomenon is spread out over an area

Patterns

the general arrangement of things, in the distribution of phenomena across space that give clues about cause or effects of the distribution.

Elevation

the distance of features above sea level, usually measured in feet or meters.

Absolute distance

is usually measured in terms of feet, miles, meters, or kilometers.

Relative distance

indicates the degree of nearness based on time or money and if often dependent on the mode of travel.

Clustered (agglomerated) distribution

Phenomena are arranged in a group or concentrated area such as restaurants in food court at a mall...

Linear Distribution

Phenomena are arranged in straight line, such as the distribution of towns along a railroad line.

Dispersed Distribution

Phenomena are spread out over a large area such as the distribution of large malls in a city.

Circular Distribution

Phenomena are equally spaced from a central point, forming a circle, such as distribution of the homes of people who shop at a particular store.

Geometric distribution

Phenomena are in a regular arrangement, such as the squares or blocks formed by roads in the Midwest.

Random Distribution

Phenomena appear to have no order to their position, such as the distribution of pet owners in a city.

Reference maps

Named because they are designed for people to refer to for general information about places.

Political maps

show and label human-created boundaries and designations, such as countries, states, cities, and capitals.

Connectivity

How well two locations are tied together by roads or other links.

Acessability

how quickly and easily people in one location can interact with people in another location.

Direction

Used in order to describe where things are in relation to each other. Cardinal directions are commonly used.

Landscape analysis

the task of defining and describing landscapes

Field observation

the act of physically visiting a location, place, or region and recording, firsthand, information there

Spatial data

All of the information that can be tied to a specific locations.

Remote sensing

gathers information from satellites that orbit the earth or other craft above the atmosphere

Aerial photography

professional images captured from planes within the atmosphere.

Fieldwork

Collect geospatial data by doing ____ or observing and recording information on location or in the field

Geovisualization

allows people to zoom in or out to see data in ways that were previously impossible.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Uses the location of multiple satellites to determine and record a receiver's exact location.

Remote Sensing

The use of cameras or other sensors mounted on aircraft or satellites to collect digital images or video of the earth's surface.

Geographic information system (GIS)

A computer system that stores, organizes, analyzes, and displays geographic data.

Community-based solutions

Power of the governmental and non-government organizations (NGO) to help the people improve their standard of living.