AP Human Geo Unit 1

Absolute Direction

Indicates cardinal directions (North, South, East, West).

Absolute Distance

Measured in standard units like inches, feet, miles, or kilometers.

Absolute Location

The precise geographical coordinates (latitude and longitude) of a place on Earth.

Aggregation

The process of organizing data into different scales for easier mapping and analysis.

Aerial Photography

Professional images captured from planes to gather data about geographic locations.

Built Environment

Physical artifacts created by humans that are part of the landscape (roads, buildings, farms).

Cartogram

A thematic map that distorts sizes to display differences in data; bigger = more.

Cartographic Scale

How a map communicates the ratio of map size to real-world size.

Choropleth Map

A thematic map using colors/shades to show quantities or rates in areas.

Circular Pattern

Phenomena equally spaced around a central point.

Clustering (Agglomerated)

A spatial pattern where phenomena are close together.

Connectivity

How well two locations are tied together by links like roads.

Contested Boundaries

Boundaries that are disputed, often leading to conflict.

Cultural Landscape

How the built environment reflects the values and culture of the people who built it.

Distance Decay

The further apart two things are, the less connected they are.

Dispersal (Dispersed)

A spatial pattern where phenomena are spread out with more space between them.

Distribution

How a phenomenon is spread out over an area.

Dot Distribution Map

A thematic map using dots to show specific locations and distribution of data.

Elevation

Measures height of features relative to sea level.

Environmental Determinism

Discredited theory that environment alone determined cultural development.

Field Observation

When a researcher visits a location and makes firsthand observations.

Flowline Map

A map showing movement of goods, people, animals, or ideas between places.

Flows

Patterns of spatial interaction or movement between locations.

Formal Region

A region united by one or more shared traits.

Friction of Distance

When things are farther apart, they are less connected.

Functional Region

A region organized around a focal point or node.

GIS (Geographic Information System)

Software that collects, analyzes, and displays layered geographic data.

Geographic Scale (Relative Scale)

The area of the world being studied (local to global).

Geometric Pattern

A distribution in regular shapes like blocks or squares.

Geospatial Data

Data with a geographic location component (city, lat/long, ZIP code).

GPS (Global Positioning System)

Satellite navigation determining exact absolute location.

Global Scale

Analyzing data at the worldwide level.

Goode Homolosine Projection

Interrupted projection preserving landmass size/shape but distorting distance.

Graduated Symbol Map

A map using symbols of different sizes to represent amounts.

Human-Environmental Interaction

How humans interact with and impact their environment.

Isoline Map

A map using lines connecting equal values to show spatial variation.

Land Use

How humans use and modify the land.

Landscape Analysis

Describing landscapes through observation and interpretation.

Large Scale Map

Zoomed-in map showing a small area with detailed information.

Latitude

Horizontal lines measuring distance north or south of the equator.

Linear Pattern

Distribution arranged in a straight line.

Local Scale

Analysis at the state, city, or neighborhood level.

Longitude

Vertical lines measuring distance east or west of the prime meridian.

Map Projection

Showing the Earth on a flat map, causing distortion.

Maps

Tools used to analyze and interpret spatial patterns.

Mercator Projection

Map projection with right-angle grid preserving direction but distorting size near poles.

Natural Resources

Materials from the environment people can use.

National Scale

Analysis within a single country.

Non-renewable Resources

Limited resources that can be exhausted.

Patterns

The arrangement of things being studied.

Perceptual Region

Region defined by people's beliefs or perceptions; vague borders.

Peters Projection

Projection showing true landmass size but distorting shape and direction.

Place

The meaning people attach to a location, including characteristics.

Placelessness

When a place lacks uniqueness or emotional ties.

Polar Projection

Projection centered on the poles; true directions but edge distortion.

Possibilism

Theory that environment sets limits but humans adapt and innovate.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive, language-based, subjective information.

Quantitative Data

Numerical, measurable, objective information.

Random Pattern

Distribution with no apparent order.

Reference Map

Map showing general geographic information.

Region

A geographical unit with shared characteristics or activities.

Regional Scale

Analysis across large regions for comparison.

Relative Direction

Location of something described relative to another location.

Relative Distance

Measure of social/cultural similarity or approximate time/cost between places.

Relative Location

Describing a place relative to another or surrounding features.

Remote Sensing

Data gathered from satellites or aerial imagery.

Renewable Resources

Resources that replenish naturally.

Robinson Projection

Compromise projection distributing distortion evenly.

Scale

Ratio between real-world size and map size.

Scales of Analysis

Conclusions drawn from different sizes of data sets (global to local).

Sense of Place

Emotional perception of a place tied to features or memories.

Site

Characteristics at the immediate location of a place.

Situation

Location relative to surroundings and connectivity to other places.

Small Scale Map

Zoomed-out map showing a large area with little detail.

Space

Physical characteristics of a location measured mathematically.

Spatial Analysis

Examining spatial data to find patterns and relationships.

Spatial Association

When two phenomena are related due to similar distribution patterns.

Spatial Patterns

Describe where things are located on Earth.

Sustainability

Study of how humans use resources and preserve them for future use.

Thematic Map

Map designed to show geographic data or phenomena.

Time-Space Compression

Reduced relative distance due to improved transport/communication.

Topographic Map

Map using contour lines to show elevation.

Toponym

A place name.

Transitional Boundaries

Fuzzy areas where one region gradually shifts into another.