APHG Unit 1 Vocab

Spatial Thinking

Analyzing patterns, relationships, and connections across space.

Place

A location with meaning or significance

Location

Where something is situated.

Absolute Location

The exact location of a place using coordinates or an address.

Toponym

Name given to a place or location

Relative Location

A place’s location compared to other places.

Distribution

How something is arranged or spread out across space.

Clustered Distribution

Features grouped closely together in one area.

Dispersed Distribution

Features spread out over a large area.

Linear Distribution

Features arranged in a line, often along roads or rivers.

Pattern

The spatial arrangement of people, places, or features

Scale

The relationship between distance on a map and distance on Earth.

Large-Scale Map

Shows a small area with a high level of detail.

Small-Scale Map

Shows a large area with less detail.

Scale of Analysis

The level at which data is examined (local, regional, national, global).

Uninterrupted Map

A map that displays the entirety of the earths surface but has a lot of distortion

Interrupted Map

A map that tries to remove distortion by removing parts of the globe

Reference Map

A map showing locations of places and physical features.

Thematic Map

A map focused on one specific topic or type of data.

Choropleth Map

Uses colors or shading to show data values by area

Dot Density Map

Uses dots to represent quantities or distributions.

Graduates Symbol Map

Uses shapes, items, and symbols to show data and locations.

Flowline Map

Uses lines or arrows to show movement such as migration or trade.

Isoline Map

Uses lines to connect different areas that have similar or equal amounts of data

Cartogram Map

Shows data in a dynamic way with the greatest value in each area

GPS

Global Positioning System; uses satellites to determine precise location.

GIS

Geographic Information System; stores, analyzes, and displays spatial data.

Remote Sensing

Collecting information about Earth from a distance using satellites or aircraft.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data that can be measured or counted.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive data based on characteristics, experiences, or observations.

Distance Decay

Interaction between places decreases as distance increases

Diffusion

The spread of ideas, culture, technology, or products from one place to another.

Relocation Diffusion

Spread of ideas or culture through the movement of people

Hierarchical Diffusion

Spread of ideas through influential people or places

Contagious Diffusion

Rapid spread of an idea or trait through direct contact.

Expansion Diffusion

Spread of a trait outward while remaining strong at its source.

Correlation

A relationship between two variables.

Causation

When one factor directly causes another.

Ecological Fallacy

Assuming individuals have the characteristics of the larger group they belong to.

MAUP (Modifiable Areal Unit Problem)

Geographic patterns can change depending on how boundaries or units are drawn.

Field Observations

Done by using people visiting a place in the real world and recording their first hand observation.

Time Space Compression

The reduction of time it takes for something or someone to get from one place to another, this counters distance decay

Distance Decay

The effect of distance on the cultural or spatial interactions- The larger the distance the less interaction

Functional or Nodal regions

A region organized around a central point and connected by movement, communication, or activity.

Formal Regions

A region where people share one or more common characteristics and the boundaries are clearly defined.

Vernacular Regions (Perceptual Regions)

A region defined by people’s beliefs, opinions, or perceptions rather than official boundaries.