AP Human Geo - Unit 1

Reference map

shows general locations of places (like countries, cities, roads)

Thematic map

shows one specific topic (like population, climate, income)

GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

computer system that layers map data to analyze patterns

Remote sensing

getting info about Earth from satellites or airplanes (no direct contact)

GPS (Global Positioning System)

uses satellites to find exact location on Earth

Landscape analysis

studying the physical + human features of an area

Photographic interpretation

using photos (like satellite images) to understand places

Local scale

small area (neighborhood, town)

Regional scale

larger area made of many places (like Midwest, Europe)

National scale

one country

Global scale

worldwide view

Human-environment interaction

how people affect the environment and how the environment affects people

Environmental determinism

belief that environment controls human behavior and development (old idea)

Environmental possibilism

environment limits people, but humans can still choose how to adapt (more accepted idea)

Formal region

area with shared characteristics (like language, climate, or borders)

Functional region

area organized around a central point (like a city and its subway system or TV station area)

Perceptual region (vernacular region)

area defined by feelings or beliefs, not official borders (like “The South” or “The Midwest”)