APHUG Unit 1.1-1.3

What is a spatial pattern?

The arrangmenet of a feature across Earth’s surface. The map is a geographer’s most essential tool— it lets us see where things are and how they relate to one another in space.

What is a reference map?

Maps designed for people to refer to for general information about places.

What are the 4 types of reference maps?

Political Maps: Shows boundaries—countries, states, cities, and capitals.

Road Maps: Shows transportation routes, highways, and infrastructure.

Physical Maps: Show natural features—mountains, rivers, and elevation.

Topographic Maps: Show elevation and landforms using contour lines.

What are thematic maps?

Maps that show spatial aspects of information.

What are the 5 types of Thematic Maps?

Choropleth: Shades regions by data value (e.g. density by county)

Dot Density: One dot= set quantity; reveals concentration.

Graduated Symbol: Symbol size scales with data magnitude.

Isoline: Connects points of equal value (temperature/elevation).

Cartogram: Distorts region geometry based on data value.

What is Map Scale?

The relationship between distance on a map and actual distance on Earth.

What are the 3 types of Map Scale?

Verbal Statement: “1 inch = 1 mile”

Graphic/Bar Scale: “Visual Ruler Bar”

Ratio/Fraction: “1: 24,000”

What are Small Scale vs. Large Scale Maps?

Small Scale Maps: Maps that show a large area with less detail (ex. World Map)

Large Scale Maps: Maps that show a small area with more detail (ex. City Street Map)

What are the 5 aspects of The Global Grid?

Latitude: Horizontal lines measuring North/South of Equator.

Equator: 0 degrees Lattitude— divides Norhtern & Southern Hemisphere.

Longitude: Vertical lines measuring East/West of Prime Meridian

Prime Meridian: 0 degrees Longitude—runs through Greenwich, England

International Date Line: Roughly 180 degrees Longitude—official line where the calendar day changes.

What is Absolute vs. Relative Location?

Absolute Location: The exact, fixed position of a place using coordinates (lattitude & longitude). CANNOT change.

Relative Location: A place’s position described in relation to other places, using distance & direction. CAN change (e.g border shifts)

What is Absolute vs. Relative Distance?

Absolute Distance: Measured in standard units—miles, kilometers, meters.

Relative Distance: Measured in time, cost, or effort to travel between places. (ex. “20 mins away”)

What is elevation?

The height above sea level.

What are the 6 Distribution Patterns of geography?

Clustered/Agglomerated: Features grouped closely together

Dispersed/Scattered: Features spread far apart.

Linear: Features arranged in a straight line.

Centralized: Features arranged around a focal point.

Radial: Features extending outward from a center.

Random: No identifiable spatial pattern.

Why are all maps inevitably distorted?

Earth is a 3D sphere. Flattening it onto a 2D map always distorts something— shape, area, distance, or direction. A projection is designed to preserve accuracy in ONE property at the expense of the others.

What are the 4 types of Map Projections?

Mercator: Preserves shape & direction (navigation). Badly distorts size near poles.

Peters: Equal-area (accurate landmass size). Distorts land shape.

Conic: Accurate for mid-lattitudes. Distortion grows towards edges.

Robinson: Compromise—balances shape, area, distance, & direction distortion.

What are the different ways to collect Geographical Data?

Landscape Analysis: Examining & interpreting physical and cultural features of a place.

Remote Sensing: Gathering data from a distance—primarily via satellites.

Field Observations: Data gathered firsthand, in person, at the specific location.

Aerial Photography: Photos of Earth’s surface captured from aircraft or drones.

What are the limitations of data?

Data can be outdated, incomplete, biased, or based on flawed sampling. It can also exclude marginalized groups and informal settlements from official maps. Before trusting a conclusion, geographers must evaluate the reliability of the underlying dataset. Bad data can lead to misalllocated resources, flawed public policies, and reinforced inequality.

What is Geovisualization?

Visual models/maps that turn raw data into interpretable patterns.

What are the 3 types of Geospatial Technologies?

GIS (Geographic Information System): Layers data over maps for spatial analysis (urban planning/disaster response).

GPS (Global Position System): Satellite network pinpointing exact location coordinates (navigation/farming).

Remote Sensing: Satellite/aerial imagery collection (weather tracking/deforestation monitoring).

What are the main five ideas of Unit 1.1-1.3?

Reference maps show WHERE things are; thematic maps show spatial PATTERNS.

Scale, lolcation, and distance exist in both absolute and relative forms.

Every map projection trades one form of accuracy (shape, area, distance, direction) for another.

Geographers gather data via fieldwork, remote sensing, aerial photos, and GIS/GPS.

Data is powerful—but incomplete or biased data can lead to real, harmful consequences.