Geography and Data Analysis

Flashcards on geographic data, spatial patterns, map features, types of maps, and data gathering techniques.

Maps

Tools geographers use to analyze and interpret the arrangement of phenomena on Earth's surface.

Spatial Patterns

Describes where things are located on the earth, from mountains to people groups.

Absolute Distance

Distance measured in standard units like miles or kilometers, representable on maps.

Relative Distance

Distance based on social, cultural, or political differences, not depicted on maps.

Absolute Direction

Direction based on cardinal points (north, south, east, west).

Relative Direction

The location of one place in relation to another.

Clustering or Dispersal

How phenomena are spread out: close together or far apart.

Phenomena

Things that exist in the world

Elevation

Measures the height of geographic features relative to sea level, often shown on isoline maps.

Map Scale

Explains the relationship between distance on the map and distance in the real world.

Large Scale Map

Zoomed in on a particular feature, details are large.

Small Scale Map

Zoomed out to a national or global level, details are small.

Compass Rose

Indicates direction, usually with cardinal and sometimes intermediate directions.

Reference Maps

Maps that display specific geographic locations.

Thematic Maps

Maps that display geographic information or themes spatially.

Choropleth Map

Thematic map visualizing data with different colors.

Dot Distribution Map

Thematic map using dots to visualize the location of certain data points.

Graduated Symbol Map

Thematic map with symbols sized in proportion to the data they represent.

Isoline Map

Thematic map using lines to depict data; common example is a topographic map.

Cartogram

Thematic map distorting geographic shapes to display differences in data.

Mercator Projection

A map projection that represents true direction but distorts landmasses further from the Equator; Eurocentric.

Peters Projection

A map projection depicting continents according to true size but distorts shapes.

Polar Projection

A map projection viewing the world from the North or South Pole, with distortion at the edges.

Robinson Projection

A map projection compromising between Peters and Mercator, distributing distortion equally.

Quantitative Data

Numbers-based, the counting kind of data, such as population statistics.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive, language-based data, such as community opinions.

Geospatial Technologies

Uses hardware or software to examine and measure geographical features on Earth.

GPS

Global Positioning System; uses satellites to determine absolute location.

GIS

Geographic Information System; software to manipulate geospatial data for research.

Remote Sensing

Gathers information about geographic locations through satellite imagery or aerial photography.

Field Observations

When a researcher physically visits a location and makes written observations about what they see

Absolute Location

Precise geographical coordinates of a place using latitude and longitude.

Latitude

Lines running horizontally, measuring locations north to south.

Longitude

Lines running vertically, measuring locations east to west.

Relative Location

Describing one place in reference to another by distance or time.

Space

The physical characteristics of a location, measurable mathematically.

Place

The meaning people attribute to locations, not easily measured mathematically.

Flows

Patterns of spatial interaction between different locations.

Distance Decay

The further apart two things are, the less they will be connected.

Time Space Compression

Decreased distance between places measured by time or cost of travel.

Patterns

How phenomena are arranged on the landscape.

Random Pattern

Patterns in which there is no order whatsoever.

Linear Pattern

Patterns indicating objects arranged in a straight line.

Dispersed Pattern

Patterns in which phenomena are scattered throughout a large space.

Human Environmental Interaction

Study of how humans interact with their environment.

Natural resources

Materials humans use for benefit.

Renewable Resources

Resources that can be used in unlimited measure (e.g., the Sun).

Nonrenewable Resources

Resources only available in limited measure (e.g., Oil).

Sustainability

Preserving nonrenewable resources for future use, minimizing environmental impact.

Land Use

How human beings use and modify the land.

Built Environment

What humans build on land (roads, buildings, etc.).

Cultural Landscape

How the built environment reflects the values and culture of its builders.

Environmental Determinism

Theory that the physical environment determines cultural development.

Possibilism

Theory that humans drive their culture and environment offers possibilities for development.

Scales of Analysis

Drawing conclusions based on different sizes of data sets.

Global Scale

Analyzing geographic data at the global level.

Regional Scale

Studying large regions and drawing comparisons between them.

National Scale

Studying phenomena in a particular country.

Local Scale

Studying phenomena at the state, city, or neighborhood level.

Region

Geographical unit sharing some unifying principle like culture or economics.

Formal Region

Regions linked by common traits like language or religion; also called uniform or homogeneous.

Functional Region

Regions organized on shared function with a node defining activity.

Perceptual Region

Regions defined by people’s shared beliefs and feelings about themselves; also known as vernacular.

Transitional Regions

Regions in which the borders can be transitional

Contested Boundaries

Regions in which the boundaries are often the subject of dispute