AP Human Geo Concepts & Key Terms

Subsustence Farming

Farming primarily for personal or local consumption

Commercial Agriculture

Farming for profit, often involving large-scale operations

Township and Range

A land surveying system used in the United States that divides land into townships and ranges to facilitate the sale and distribution of land (6 × 6 miles)

Urban Agglomeration

A densely populated area consisting of multiple cities or towns that have grown and merged together, often encompassing suburban and exurban areas.

Creolized Language

A language that results from the blending of two or more distinct languages, often emerging in communities with diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Combination of Langauges

that results from the blending of different languages, primarily arising in colonial contexts where speakers of different languages need to communicate.

Resource for Electricity in the U.S.

The most used resource is natural gas followed by coal. Renewable energy sources are increasingly significant, including solar, wind, and hydropower.

Urban Planning in the U.S.

The process of designing and regulating the uses of land, resources, and infrastructure in urban areas to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life for residents.

Gross National Income (GNI)

the total income from a nation's residents and businesses, including any income earned abroad.

Lowest Fertility Rates

are often found in highly developed countries, where factors such as education, access to contraception, and economic conditions influence family planning and reproductive choices.

Blockbusting

the practice of influencing property sales in neighborhoods by inducing panic selling among homeowners based on the race or ethnicity of incoming residents.

Blockbusting: Cons

the practice of persuading homeowners to sell their properties at low prices by instilling fear that racial or ethnic minorities will soon move into the neighborhood, resulting in a decline in property values.

Blockbusting: Pros

increased housing availability, demographic shifts, and economic revitalization of urban areas.

Shatterbelt

A region highly affected by geopolitical tensions, characterized by conflicting cultural, political, or territorial influences.

Negative Relationship with Economic Developement

a correlation where increased economic development leads to negative outcomes such as environmental degradation and social inequality.

Boundary of Congressional Districts

The lines that define the geographic areas represented by members of Congress, which can influence elections and political representation.

Manufactring Company Merger

The joining of two manufacturing companies to increase efficiency, market share, or production capacity.

Countries Divided by Cultural/Idealogical Conflict

Nations separated due to differing cultural perspectives or ideological beliefs, often resulting in tension or conflict between groups.

Land Values and Population Density

Land values typically increase with higher population density due to greater demand for limited space.

Development of Urban Land

The process by which previously undeveloped land in urban areas is transformed for residential, commercial, or industrial use, often influenced by population growth and economic factors.

Countries Colonized by France

1. North Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia

2. West Africa: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger

3. Central Africa: Gabon, Congo, Central African Republic, Chad

4. Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia (French Indochina)

5. Other Regions: Various islands in the Caribbean and Pacific, such as French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Polynesia

Analysis of Location Decisions

The examination of factors influencing where businesses, residences, or industries are situated, which includes considerations like economic opportunities, accessibility, and geographic characteristics.

Decolonization

The process by which colonies gain independence from colonial powers, often involving political, social, and economic changes.

Pan-Africanism

A movement advocating for the unity and solidarity of African people and nations, emphasizing shared cultural, historical, and social ties.

Neocolonalism

A new form of colonialism where former colonial powers exert control over developing countries through economic and political means, rather than direct military occupation.

Imperialism

The policy or practice of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, often resulting in the control or domination of other nations or territories.

Irredentism

A political and popular movement aimed at reclaiming and reoccupying a lost homeland or territory considered to be a national or ethnic domain.

Border Formalities

The policies and regulations governing the crossing of national borders, including customs, immigration, and inspection processes.

Gerrymandering

the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

Megacity

A metropolitan area with a population over 10 million, often characterized by urban sprawl and significant economic growth.

Metacity

A very large city with a population that exceeds 20 million people, characterized by significant urban sprawl and extensive infrastructure.

Definition of a State

A defined territory with a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power has several disadvantages, including ecological disruption of aquatic ecosystems, high initial construction costs, and vulnerability to droughts and climate changes.

Company Relocation in the South (US)

The movement of businesses from one location to another within the southern United States, often aiming for lower operational costs, favorable regulations, and access to a larger labor pool.

Population Growth Patterns Today

Uneven distribution with high growth rates in developing countries and slower growth or decline in developed countries.

World Region Least Impacted by the Green Revolution

The world region least affected by the Green Revolution is Sub-Saharan Africa, where agricultural modernization and high-yield crop varieties have not been widely adopted due to various economic and infrastructural challenges.

Economic Complementaries

The phenomenon where two regions can simultaneously benefit from trade because their economic strengths and resources complement each other.

Relocation Diffusion

The spread of cultural traits through the physical movement of people from one place to another.

Expansion Diffusion

The process by which cultural traits, innovations, or ideas spread from one area to another while remaining strong in their original location, often occurring in various forms such as hierarchical, contagious, or stimulus diffusion.

Hierarchical Diffusion

The spread of cultural traits or innovations from a central point or authority to other individuals or groups, often occurring through a ranked structure.

Contagious Diffusion

The rapid, widespread diffusion of cultural traits or innovations through direct contact among individuals, often resembling the spread of a disease.

Stimulus Diffusion

The process where a cultural trait or innovation is adapted or changed as it spreads to new areas, rather than spreading exactly as it originated.

Demographic Challenges

Refers to issues arising from population changes, such as aging populations, declining birth rates, and migration trends, that can affect economic and social structures.

Definition of a State

A political entity with a defined territory, a permanent population, a governing body, and the capacity to enter relations with other states.

Primary Sector Activities

Economic activities that involve the extraction of raw materials from the environment, such as agriculture, mining, and forestry.

Secondary Sector Activities

Involves the transformation of raw materials into finished goods, typically through manufacturing and industrial processes.

Tertiary Sector Activities

Economic activities focused on providing services rather than goods, including retail, education, and healthcare.

Quaternary Sector

Involves knowledge-based activities, such as research, education, and information technology, focusing on the processing and management of information.

Quinary Sector

Involves high-level decision making and specialized services, such as education, healthcare, and scientific research.

Nation-State

A political entity characterized by a defined territory, a permanent population, and a government that exercises sovereignty over its affairs, often aligned with a specific nation.

Stateless Nation

A group of people with a common identity, culture, and political aspirations who do not have an independent state or sovereign territory.

Multinational State

A state that contains two or more nations or ethnic groups, often leading to complex political relationships and governance challenges.

Multi-Nation State

A state that contains two or more nations or ethnic groups with distinct cultural identities, often leading to varying degrees of autonomy and self-governance.

Autonoumus Region

A region within a state that has been granted some degree of self-governance and independence in certain matters, allowing it to preserve its unique cultural identity.

Semi-Autonoumus Region

A region that has a degree of independence and governance, but is still primarily subject to the central government's authority.

Superimposed Boundaries

Boundaries imposed by external powers, often without regard for existing cultural or political divisions.

Periphery

The outer areas of a country or region that are often less developed, economically disadvantaged, and may rely on the core for resources and political influence.

Semi-Periphery

A socio-economic classification of countries that fall in between core and peripheral nations, engaging in both manufacturing and export of goods.

Core

The central, most developed regions of a country or global economy, characterized by advanced industrialization and higher levels of wealth and power.

Choke Point

A strategic narrow passageway that controls maritime or land traffic, often vital for trade and military operations.

Borderland

Regions located along the edges of two or more countries, often characterized by cultural diversity and conflict over territory.

Enclave

A distinct territorial, cultural, or social unit that is surrounded by another larger territory but is politically or culturally different from it.

Exclave

a portion of territory that is separated from its main country and surrounded by another country.

Heartland Theory (British American School)

The Heartland Theory posits that the control of Eastern Europe is vital for world dominance, and that any power controlling this region could dominate the world due to its resources and strategic location.

Rimland Theory

the geopolitical idea that coastal fringes of Eurasia hold the key to global power, contrasting with the Heartland Theory.

Natural Boundary

A naturally occurring feature that serves as a boundary between two areas, such as rivers, mountains, or lakes.

Relic Boundary

a political boundary that no longer exists but leaves behind an impact on the cultural landscape.

Antecendent Boundary

A boundary that existed before the cultural landscape emerged and often follows natural features such as rivers or mountain ranges.

Geometric Boundary

A boundary defined by geometric coordinates or straight lines, often without regard to physical or cultural features.

Subsequent Boundary

A political boundary that developed alongside the cultural landscape, often reflecting the cultural divisions and conflicts within the region.

Consequent Boundary

A boundary that is established after the cultural landscape has developed, taking into account the existing patterns of human activity and settlement.

Superimposed Boundary

A boundary imposed on a cultural landscape without regard for pre-existing patterns, often drawn by external powers during colonial or imperial periods.

Locational Boundary

A boundary determined by the physical location of features, often leading to disputes over territory.

Operational Boundary

A boundary that defines how a boundary should function in practice, particularly regarding the management and enforcement of policies.

Allocation Boundary

A boundary that determines how resources are distributed or allocated between different parties, often leading to disputes over ownership and access.

Prorupted State

A state that has a narrow extension of territory, projecting from a larger landmass, which can create benefits such as access to resources or trade routes.

Perforated State

A state that completely surrounds another state, making it a part of its territory.

Supranationalism

The process of multiple countries forming an alliance for mutual benefit transcending national borders, often in areas such as trade, defense, or environmental protection.

Failed State

A political entity characterized by a loss of control over its territory, leading to a lack of effective governance and often resulting in internal conflict, economic collapse, and humanitarian crises.

Stateless Nation

A group of people with a common culture and identity that is not governed by a sovereign state.

Comercial Ranchers in the Pampas

refers to agriculturalists in Argentina who focus on raising livestock and exporting beef, utilizing the vast grasslands of the Pampas region.

Indo-European Lanuage Family

A major language family that includes languages such as English, Spanish, Hindi, and Russian, originating from a common ancestral language spoken thousands of years ago.

GIS Stations

Geographic Information System stations used for collecting and analyzing spatial data.

NTMs for Chart Use

Non-tariff measures used to regulate international trade, including quotas and standards.

GPS Satellites

are satellites used for Global Positioning System, allowing for precise location tracking and navigation on Earth.

GNIS Entries

National Geospatial Intelligence Agency entries that provide detailed geographical data for the United States.

TIR Scanning Systems

Technology used to capture and analyze the thermal radiation emitted by objects, aiding in transportation and logistics.

Maquiladoras

manufacturing plants in Mexico near the US border that assemble imported materials into finished goods for export.

Edge City

A suburban area with a mix of residential, commercial, and employment centers, often located outside a major city.

Nation-State

A political entity characterized by a defined territory, a permanent population, a governing body, and sovereignty, often aligning cultural identity with state boundaries.

Median Line Principle

A method for establishing maritime boundaries by dividing the water between two coastal states equally.

Network Cities

Cities that have developed complementary functions due to high-speed rail, highways, and communication systems. Network cities leverage.

Dependency Ratio

the ratio of dependents (children and elderly) to the working-age population in a country, used to assess economic stability and potential burden on the productive population.

Nationless State

A political entity that lacks a sovereign nation or government, often representing a group of people without a recognized state.

Sillicon Valley Tech Clusters

A region in California known for its high concentration of technology companies and innovation. Silicon Valley is a hub for start-ups and established firms, driving advancements in technology and entrepreneurship.

Taboo

A social or cultural prohibition against certain behaviors, practices, or discussions, often regarded as forbidden or unacceptable.

Balkinization

the fragmentation of a region into smaller, often hostile, political units. This term is often used to describe the process where larger states break up into smaller, ethnically or culturally homogeneous regions.

Ethnocentrism

the belief in the superiority of one's own culture or ethnicity, often resulting in the judging of other cultures by one's own standards.

Commodity Chain

The series of activities involved in the production and distribution of a product, from raw materials to final consumer.

Ancient Cultural Hearth

A region where early human society developed and from which ideas, innovations, and cultures spread to other areas.