AT Geo Unit 1

Absolute distance

Exact, measurable space between 2 spaces (e.g. miles, km)

Relative distance

How far apart places are in time, cost, etc

Absolute direction

Cardinal directions (North, east, south, west)

Relative direction

Based on context/perspective (turn left, head up)

Reference maps

Show locations, boundaries, geographic features

Thematic maps

Maps that focus on spatial patterns by using qualitative data to display topics/themes

Chloropleth

Shades of colours to show values of something → good for seeing patterns across regions, difficult to show variations within a region

Dot distribution map

Dot = set number of units

Best for - where something happens

Limitations - hard to read

Graduated symbol map

Uses symbols of different sizes to represent amounts and volumes

Best use: exact quantities, specific locations

Limitation: overlapping symbols

Isoline map

Continuous lines to connect points of equal value

Best use: continuous data, gradual changes (e.g. weather)

Limitation: can be hard to read

Cartogram

Distortions of size to represent volume/quantity

Best uses: population, economy

Limitation: distort geography

Mercator projection

Preserves direction + angles, useful for navigation

Size near poles is distorted (Greenland same size as Africa despite being 14x smaller)

Gall-Peters Projection

Correct relative land area of countries, shapes are distorted

Robinson Projection

Balances distortion of shape, size, distance, and direction → more realistic view of Earth

Visually appealing, balanced distortions, useful for general patterns

Azimuthal (Polar) Projection

North pole at center → shows direction and distance from one point, helping with air travel paths

Cons: unfamiliar positioning, not useful for southern hemisphere

Goode’s Homolosine Projection

Preserves size and shape of continents, but interrupts ocean (no use for navigation etc)

Region

Area defined by a characteristic that unifies it

Formal region

An area where everyone shares a measurable trait → clearly defined boundaries, based on facts/data, uniform throughout region

Functional region

Organized around a central node, connected by pattern of activity (gets weaker further from center) → distance decay

Distance decay

strength of connection decays as distance increases (less likely to interact when things are further away)

Vernacular/Perceptual Regions

Area that people believe exists (varies by person) based on identity, culture, attitudes → e.g. midwest, the south

Transitional boundaries

One region fades into another

Contested boundary

People disagree about the boundary

Overlapping region

A place that belongs to multiple regions at once

Map scales

Ratio between distance on a map + real world distance, more zoomed in = road detail, zoomed out is physical detail

Scale of analysis

The level at which patterns are analyzed

Global (scale of analysis)

Patterns/trends across the world (e.g. malaria per country)

Regional scale of analysis

Comparing patterns and trends in areas that are similar, for example north america

National scale of analysis

Patterns within a single country

Local scale of analysis

Smaller geographic areas → human behaviour, infrastructure, ideal for targeted solutions

Impact of changing scale of analysis

Changes the data you see and interpretation

Qualitative data

descriptions, observations, experiences

Quantitative data

Numbers, measurable info

US Census

National survey every 10 years, collects # of people, where they live, population etc

GIS

computer system that captures, stores, and analyzes spatial data → patterns
e.g. demographics, population, existing hospitals when looking for new hospital location

GPS

Global positioning system → determining exact location w/ satellites

Remote sensing

Collecting info w/out making physical contact

Absolute location

exact position on earth (e.g. 40 woodlands street 41), coordinates, addresses

Relative location

Location in relation to landmarks/position → two blocks north

Place

A point on Earth that people give meaning to

Site

Physical characteristics, natural conditions (e.g. new orleans is soft, swampy, soil below sea level)

Situation

Location in relation → new orleans is near mississippi river

Space

physical area between objects on earth’s surface

Clustered

Close together (Spatial distribution)

Dispersed

spread out (spatial distributions)

Random

No clear pattern (spatial distributions)

Flow

movement of people, things, and ideas between places

Time-space compression

Technology makes it easier to connect w/ others → people feel closer

Sustainability

Using earth’s resources without compromising future generations

Natural resources

materials from the earth used to meet human needs

Renewable resources

replenish naturally in a short amount of time

Nonrenewable resources

Do not replenish naturally or easily

Land use

how people modify land to meet needs

Human impact in the everglades

Urban development + agriculture have destroyed more than half of the everglades

Vertical farming in SG

Being intentional about space usage + environment to meet sg food needs, unlike everglades which resulted in environmental damage

Environmental determinism

Environment shaped human development → climate landforms impact societies and growth

Huntington map

Anglocentrism → NA + Western Europe has most favorable climate

Environmental possiblism

Environment sets limits, but these limits can be overcome w tech