aphg unit 1 vocab

absolute distance

the distance between two points, communicated using precise quantitative units of measurement

absolute location

the precise place where something can be found, often described using latitude and longitude coordinates

cartogram

a map where the sizes of places are distorted in order to represent some specific statistic

cartography

the art and science of mapmaking - representing geographic on a surface

choropleth map

map using various colors, shades, or patterns to show distribution of spatial data

clustered

a descriptor for when there is a high level of density and a low level of distribution of data

conic projection

a map projection used primarily for regional mapping, preserving size and shape but distorting direction

density

how often or how much something occurs within a space

dispersed

a descriptor for when there is a low level of density due to a high level of distribution

distance decay

the theory that the interaction between two places decreases as the distance between them increases

distribution

where something occurs within a space

dot distribution map

a map showing the specific location and distribution of something using dots, each representing a specific quantity

environmental determinism

a philosophy stating that human behaviors and culture result directly from the surrounding environment

formal region

an area defined by official boundaries, created based on shared characteristics

functional region

an area organized around a node or focal point, defined by an activity that occurs across the region

geographic information system (GIS)

a computer system capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographic data

global positioning system (GPS)

the system determining precise locations on Earth using satellites and receivers

globalization

the process of spreading products, people, and ideas around the world

graduated symbol map

a map using symbols of different sizes to indicate different amounts of something

isoline map

a map using lines connecting points of equal distance to depict variations in data

latitude

the distance north or south of the Equator, marked as 0 degrees

locator map

illustrations showing specific locations mentioned in text, used in books and advertising

longitude

the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, marked as 0 degrees

map projection

the process of showing a curved surface on a flat surface

map scale

the ratio between the size of things in the real world and the size of things on a map

mercator projection

a map projection used primarily for navigation, accurately depicting direction and shape near the equator

peters projection

a map projection depicting land mass sizes accurately, best for illustrating spatial distribution

physical map

a map showing natural features like mountains, rivers, and deserts

plat map

a map showing property lines and details of land ownership

political map

a map showing human-created boundaries like countries, states, cities, and capitals

possibilism

the theory that the environmental conditions of a place can limit its culture but that culture is primarily determined by social conditions

qualitative data

humanistic data that is not represented as a statistic and is collected through means such as interviews, surveys, or observation

quantitative data

data associated with mathematical models and statistical techniques

reference map

a map designed for people to refer to for general information about places

region

an area defined by one or more traits, characteristics, or features that make it different from surrounding areas

relative distance

distance measured using metrics like time, effort, or cost

relative location

the description of where something is in relation to something else

remote sensing

the process of capturing images of Earth's surface from the air, using things like satellites or planes

road map

a map that shows highways, streets, and alleys

robinson projection

a map projection most commonly used for education or display purposes that has no glaring distortions but area, shape, and direction are all slightly distorted

scale of analysis

the level at which data in a map is displayed

site

the physical character of a place (combination of physical features like climate, water sources, vegetation, and elevation that help give a place a distinct character

situation

where something is located relative to its surrounding features

sustainability

use of the Earth's resources in ways that ensure their availability for future generations to use

thematic map

maps that show spatial aspects of information or a type of phenomenon

time-space compression

the reduction in the time it takes to diffuse something to a distant place, as a result of improves communication and transportation technologies

toponym

the name given to a place on Earth

vernacular region

an area that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity. boundaries vary widely because people have a different sense of what defines and unites this type of region

unit 1 test on thursday 9/12

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global

shows the world at one level of data - does NOT show countries

regional

shows data by continent or major world regions

national

shows data for one or more countries

local

shows data at a subnational level

cultural ecology

an approach (geographic) that puts emphasis on human-environment relationships (carl sauer)

natural resources

materials from nature that have value to humans ans can be used to meet their needs

regionalization

the process used by geographers to organize and divide space into smaller, more precise units

corn belt

a region of the midwestern states that have dominated the corn industry since the 1850s

hinterland

"country behind" applied to a surrounding area served by an urban center, is the focus of goods and services produced

mental maps

maps created in people's minds based on their knowledge, evolve with time and experience