AP Human Geography Vocab

Flashcards for vocabulary review.

Human Geography

The study of human activity, such as population, culture, and urban development, in relation to the environment.

Four-Level Analysis

A methodological approach used in geography to analyze a geographic issue at four different scales: local, regional, national, and global.

Time-Distance Decay

A principle stating that the likelihood of interaction between two locations decreases as the distance between them increases.

Spatial Patterns

The arrangement of objects in space.

Networks

Interconnected systems or nodes, such as transportation or communication systems.

Geospatial Data

Data that is related to geographic locations and can be mapped.

Scales of Analysis

The spatial levels at which geographic phenomena are analyzed, ranging from local to global.

Reference Maps

Maps that show locations of places and geographic features.

Political Maps

Maps that show political boundaries like countries, states, or cities.

Physical Maps

Maps that show physical features like mountains, rivers, and elevation.

Road Maps

Maps designed for navigation, showing roads, highways, and paths.

Plat Maps

Maps that show land ownership and property boundaries.

Thematic Maps

Maps that focus on a particular theme or subject, such as population density or climate.

Choropleth Maps

Maps that use color shading to represent statistical data, such as income levels.

Dot Distribution Maps

Maps that use dots to represent the frequency of a phenomenon.

Graduated Symbol Maps

Maps that use symbols of different sizes to represent data.

Isoline Maps

Maps that use lines to connect points of equal value, such as temperature or pressure.

Topographic Maps

Maps that show detailed features of the Earth's surface, including elevation.

Cartogram

A map where the size of each area is distorted based on a specific variable, such as population.

Scale

The relationship between a feature's size on a map and its actual size on the ground.

Map Scale

The ratio or representative fraction that shows how much the real world has been reduced on the map.

Absolute Location

The exact position of a place on the Earth's surface, often given in coordinates (latitude and longitude).

Relative Location

The location of a place in relation to other places.

Connectivity

The degree to which two or more places are connected by transportation or communication systems.

Accessibility

The ease with which a location can be reached from another location.

Direction

The orientation or path along which something moves or points.

Patterns

The arrangement or distribution of phenomena in a particular area.

Absolute Distance

The actual physical distance between two locations.

Relative Distance

A measurement of distance that includes the time, cost, or effort required to cover it.

Distribution

The arrangement of a phenomenon across a given area.

Clustered (Agglomerated)

A distribution pattern where objects are concentrated in one area.

Linear Distribution

A distribution pattern where objects are arranged in a line, often along roads or rivers.

Dispersed Distribution

A distribution pattern where objects are spread out over a large area.

Circular Distribution

A distribution pattern where objects are arranged in a circular pattern.

Geometric Distribution

A regular, grid-like distribution pattern.

Random Distribution

A distribution pattern where objects are spread without any particular pattern.

Landscape Analysis

The study of the physical and cultural characteristics of a landscape.

Field Observations

The process of collecting data by observing physical and human environments directly in the field.

Spatial Data

Data that is associated with geographic locations, often used in geographic information systems (GIS).

Aerial Photography

Photographs taken from the air, often used for mapping and spatial analysis.

Fieldwork

The process of collecting data or conducting research by physically going into the environment.

Geovisualization

The use of visual representations, such as maps, charts, and 3D models, to interpret geographic data.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A satellite-based navigation system used to determine the exact location of a device on Earth.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

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

Remote Sensing

The acquisition of data about Earth's surface from a distance, typically via satellites or drones.

Space

The physical area or location in which something exists or occurs.

Location

The specific place or position of something on Earth's surface.

Place

A specific point on Earth that is identified by its unique physical and human characteristics.

Region

An area defined by certain characteristics, such as climate, culture, or geography.

Site

The physical characteristics of a location, such as its terrain, climate, and resources.

Situation

The location of a place relative to other places.

Sense of Place

The emotional and psychological attachment people have to a specific location.

Toponym

The name given to a place or location.

Time-Space Compression

The phenomenon by which technological advancements reduce the time it takes to travel or communicate across distances.

Spatial Interaction

The movement or flow of people, goods, or information across space.

Flow

The movement of people, goods, or information from one location to another.

Friction of Distance

The concept that distance between two locations affects the cost and ease of interaction.

Distance Decay

The principle that the interaction between two locations decreases as the distance between them increases.

Human-Environment Interaction

The study of how humans impact and adapt to their environment.

Built Environment

The human-made surroundings in which people live, work, and interact.

Cultural Landscape

A geographic area that includes both cultural and natural resources.

Environmental Determinism

The theory that the physical environment shapes human behavior and culture.

Possibilism

The theory that the environment sets limits, but humans can adapt and shape their surroundings.

Global Scale

Analyzing geographic phenomena at a global level.

World Regional Scale

Analyzing geographic phenomena at the scale of entire regions of the world.

National Scale

Analyzing geographic phenomena within the boundaries of a country.

National Region Scale

Analyzing geographic phenomena at the scale of specific regions within a country.

Local Scale

Analyzing geographic phenomena at a local or community level.

Formal (Uniform) Regions

Regions defined by specific, measurable characteristics, such as political boundaries or climate.

Functional (Nodal) Regions

Regions defined by a central point or node and the surrounding areas influenced by it.

Perceptual (Vernacular) Regions

Regions defined by popular perception or cultural identity rather than official or physical boundaries.

Population Distribution

The pattern of where people live across the world or within a region.

Population Density

The number of people living per unit of area, often expressed as people per square kilometer or mile.

Social Stratification

The hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups in a society based on factors like wealth, education, and occupation.

Arithmetic Population Density

The total population of a country or region divided by its total land area.

Physiological Population Density

The number of people per unit area of arable land (land that can be used for farming).

Arable

Land that is suitable for growing crops.

Agricultural Population Density

The number of farmers per unit area of arable land.

Redistricting

The process of drawing electoral district boundaries, often after a census.

Infrastructure

The basic physical systems of a country or community, including transportation, communications, power supply, and water.

Overpopulation

A situation in which the population exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, leading to resource depletion and environmental degradation.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population that an environment can support sustainably, based on resources such as food, water, and shelter.

Population Pyramid

A graphical representation showing the distribution of various age groups in a population, often used to understand the structure of a population.

Cohorts

Groups of individuals within a population who share a common characteristic, often age.

Birth Deficit

A condition in which the number of births is lower than necessary to maintain the population size.

Baby Boom

A period marked by a significant increase in birth rates, often after events like war.

Baby Bust

A period marked by a decline in birth rates following a baby boom.

Echo (Boom)

A secondary baby boom resulting from the children of the original baby boomers having children.

Potential Workforce

The segment of the population that is able to work, typically those between ages 15 and 64.

Dependent Population

The part of the population that is dependent on the working-age population, such as children and elderly.

Dependency Ratio

The ratio of the dependent population (ages 0-14 and 65+) to the working-age population (ages 15-64).

Immigrant

A person who moves to a foreign country with the intention of settling there.

Emigrant

A person who leaves their own country to settle permanently in another country.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

The number of live births per 1,000 people in a population per year.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime.

Life Expectancy

The average number of years a person is expected to live, based on current mortality rates.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

The number of infant deaths (under one year old) per 1,000 live births.

Crude Death Rate (CDR)

The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a population per year.

Rate of Natural Increase (RNI)

The difference between the birth rate and the death rate in a population, typically expressed as a percentage.

Population Doubling Time

The time it takes for a population to double in size, given a constant rate of growth.