AP Human Geography Fundamentals

Flashcards created from lecture notes covering geography principles, map projections, demographic models, regions, and human-environment interactions.

What are the characteristics of a cylindric map projection?

It shows direction, but loses distance.

How does a planar map projection represent the Earth?

It shows true direction and examines Earth from one point.

What are the characteristics of a conic map projection?

It keeps distance, but loses direction.

How is an oval map projection created?

It is a combination of cylindric and conic projections.

What is the primary function of a flow line map?

To help determine movement.

How is a Formal Region defined?

It is an area where anything has the same characteristics.

What characterizes a Functional Region?

It is organized around a certain point or node.

What defines a Vernacular region?

It is defined by perception or feelings.

How is 'Site' defined in physical geography?

Site refers to physical characteristics.

How are latitude and longitude lines designated?

Latitude runs East West relative to the Equator, while longitude runs North and South relative to the Prime Meridian.

What are the 'five toos' that prevent human habitation?

Too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, and too hilly.

How is Physiological Density calculated?

By dividing the number of people by the farmable land.

How is Arithmetic Density calculated?

By calculating density using all the land in a given area.

What is the function of the Demographic Transition Model?

It describes past human activity and predicts what is going to happen in the future.

What is an Ecological Fallacy?

An assumption made about one scale, then applied to a variety of others.

What is human-environment interaction?

The relationship between humans and nature.

What is cultural ecology?

How humans adapt to the environment.

What is environmental determinism?

The belief that landforms and climate are the most powerful forces in shaping human behavior, making cultures a direct result of why they exist.

What is possibilism?

The viewpoint that limits exist on the effects of natural endowment, focusing more on human culture and the idea that people determine their own outcomes.

What does field observation involve?

Physically visiting a location and observing.

What is Spatial Data?

All information tied to a specific place.

What is aerial photography?

Professional imaging taken from a plane.

What constitutes a built environment or cultural landscape?

Physical artifacts built by humans.