Human and Physical Geography: Map Types, Data, and Spatial Concepts

Human Geography

The study of the processes that have shaped how humans understand, use, and alter Earth.

Physical Geography

The study of natural processes and the distribution of features in the environment, such as landforms, plants, animals, soil, and climate.

Thematic Maps

Any map that focuses on one or more variables to show a relationship between geographic data.

Reference Maps

A map that focuses on the location of places.

Map Projections

(Mercator and Robinson)

Cartography

The art and science of making maps, including data compilation, layout, and design.

Spatial Pattern/Distribution

The arrangement of geographic phenomena within a given space. May be clustered (close together), dispersed (far apart), or linear (in a line).

Absolute Distance

Distance that can be measured using a standard unit of length.

Relative Distance

Distance determined in relation to other places or objects.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

A computer system that allows for the collection, organization, and display of geographic data for analysis.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A network of satellites that orbit Earth and transmit location data to receivers, enabling users to pinpoint their exact location.

Remote Sensing

Collecting or analyzing data from a location without making physical contact.

Census

An official count of the number of people in a defined area, such as a state.

Absolute Location

The exact location of an object, usually expressed in coordinates of longitude and latitude.

Relative Location

A description of where a place is in relation to other places or features.

Space

The area between two or more things.

Place

A location on Earth that is distinguished by its physical and human characteristics.

Sense of Place

The subjective feelings and memories people associate with a geographic location.

Distance Decay

A principle stating that the farther away one thing is from another, the less interaction the two things will have.

Time-Space Compression

A key geographic principle that describes the ways in which modern transportation and communication technology have allowed humans to travel and communicate over long distances quicker and easier.