UNIT 1 AP HUMAN 🗺️

Human Geography

Human Geography

The study of the spatial aspects of human existence and how humans organize their activities in space.

Globalization

A set of processes that increase interactions across borders affecting economic, social, and political dimensions.

Local Diversity

The counter-movement against globalization where individuals express unique cultural identities.

Distribution

The arrangement of features on Earth's surface, focusing on density, concentration, and patterns.

Possibilism

A theory suggesting that while the environment imposes limitations, humans can adapt and modify their behaviors.

Environmental Determinism

The theory that human behavior is strictly controlled by the physical environment.

Movement (Theme of Geography)

Examines the mobility of people, goods, and ideas focusing on patterns and changes in spatial interactions.

Regions (Theme of Geography)

Areas that exhibit one or more distinctive characteristics, classified as formal, functional, or vernacular.

Cultural Hearth

Centers of innovation where cultural traits originate and spread to other areas.

Acculturation

The process by which immigrant populations adopt aspects of the receiving society's values and customs.

Expansion Diffusion

The spread of a cultural trait through direct interaction, remaining strong in the origin area.

Relocation Diffusion

The physical movement of individuals or populations carrying cultural traits to new areas.

Dot Density Map

A thematic map using dots to represent a quantity of a phenomenon in a given area.

Choropleth Map

A thematic map using different shades or colors to represent data values across regions.

Mercator Projection

A cylindrical map projection preserving angles but distorting area, especially near the poles.

Time-Distance Decay

The principle that the likelihood of an innovation spreading decreases as the distance from its origin increases.

Hierarchical Diffusion

The spread of cultural traits from larger cities to smaller ones, often initiated by key individuals.

Stimulus Diffusion

Spread of an underlying principle even if specific cultural traits do not spread.

Cultural Convergence

The sharing of cultural traits and technologies among societies leading to similarities in practices.

Sequent Occupance

The process by which landscapes are transformed by successive cultures over time.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A system designed to capture, store, manipulate, and analyze geographic data.

Urbanization

The increasing population of people living in urban areas as opposed to rural areas.

Suburbanization

The migration of people from urban areas to suburban areas, often associated with the rise of the middle class.

Rural-Urban Fringe

The transition zone between urban and rural areas, often characterized by mixed land use.

Metropolitan Area

A large population center consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding areas.

Global City

A city that has significant economic, political, and cultural influence beyond its own borders.

Gentrification

The process of renovating neighborhoods, leading to the displacement of lower-income families and individuals.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

An organization that is neither a part of a government nor a for-profit business, aimed at addressing social or political issues.

Urban Heat Island Effect

The phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than their rural surroundings due to human activities.

Urban Renewal

The redevelopment of areas within a city, often involving the renovation of infrastructure and housing.

Waste Management

The collection, transportation, and disposal of garbage, sewage, and other waste products.

Eco-City

A city designed with consideration of environmental impacts, aiming for sustainability and minimal ecological footprint.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.

Green Infrastructure

An interconnected network of green spaces that provides environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Pollution

The introduction of contaminants into the natural environment causing adverse change and harm to ecosystems.

Climate Change

A long-term shift in temperatures and weather patterns, largely driven by human activities.

Natural Resource Management

The sustainable utilization and conservation of natural resources like land, water, and minerals.

Environmental Policy

Laws and regulations aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices.

Spatial Analysis

The technique applied to structures at the human scale, analyzing the locations and relationships between places.

Urban Planning

The process of designing and regulating the use of land, resources, and infrastructure in urban areas.

Demographic Transition Model

A model used to represent the transition of countries from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates.

Economic Development

The progress in an economy that can lead to improved living standards and growth in jobs.

Cultural Landscape

The visible imprint of human activity and culture on the landscape, including buildings and land use.