APHG - UNIT 1

Mercator Projection

A cylindrical map projection that maintains accurate angles and shapes for navigation but distorts area

Peters Projection

a map projection that accurately represents the relative sizes of landmasses but distorts shapes

Robinson Projection

a map projection that minimizes overall distortion of shape, size, distance, and direction, rather than perfectly preserving one property (visually balanced)

Physical Map

Shows earths physical landforms (mountains, rivers, desserts)

Political Map

shows human-created boundaries and features (countries, cities, states)

Thematic Map

shows a specific dataset or attribute (pop. density, climate zones)

Isolene Map

uses lines to connect points of equal numerical value (temp., elevation)

Choropleth Map

uses colors or shading to represent the density of a measured variable across geographic areas

Dot distribution map

uses dots to represent the presence or quantity of a phenomenon

Graduated symbol map

displays quantitative data by varying the size of symbols

Cartogram map

a type of thematic map that distorts the size of geographical areas in proportion to a statistical variable

Latitude

measures an angular distance, north or south, from the Equator, ranging from 0° at the Equator to 90° at the North and South Poles.

Longitude

Longitude measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian

Clustered

a population distribution pattern where individuals or groups are concentrated closely together in a specific area

Dispersed

a population distribution patter where people are spread out over a large geographic area

Pattern

refers to the recurring arrangement or distribution of phenomena across space

Relative Location

describes the position of a place by comparing it to other known places, features, or landmarks, rather than using exact coordinates

Absolute Location

the precise and fixed position of a place on Earth's surface, defined by a unique set of coordinates

Place

a specific point on Earth with unique human and physical characteristics

Scale

the ratio of distance on a map to the actual distance on Earth

Time-space compression

the reduction of time it takes to get from one place to another

Phenomenon

any observable event, pattern, or occurrence on Earth's surface that geographers study to understand

Globalization

the increasing interconnectedness and integration of global economies, cultures, and societies

Toponym

the name of a place or geographic feature

Formal Region

a geographic area defined by shared, uniform human or physical characteristics, such as a political boundary

Functional Region

a geographic area organized around a central node or focal point, such as a city, airport, or shopping center

Vernacular region

an area defined by people's shared perceptions, beliefs, and feelings

GIS

computer-based system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and visualizing all types of geographic data

GPS

a technology that determines location using satellite signals

Human-envirement interaction

the dynamic relationship where people are influenced by their surroundings and, in turn, affect the environment through their activities

Possiblism

humans have the capability to develop through culture and technology rather than being solely determined by environmental conditions

Determinism

environment is the primary force shaping societies and cultures