Chapter 1- General knowledge

Maps

A tool for storing reference material and a tool for communicating.

Human Geography

Part of geography concerned with spatial differences and patters of human activity and its interrelations with the physical environment.

Scale

A comparison of distances on a map to distances on earth

Small scale

Smallest amount of detail shown on map, so biggest picture

Projection

Method to represent earths curved surface on a flat map

What does projection distort

Shape, area size, distance, direction

Robinson map

Goode's Interrupted

Mercator

Azimuthal - polar - planar

Mental Map

Images about an area developed by an individual on the basis of information or impressions

Symbol

Graphic elements that convey geographic information

Choropleth map

Thematic map

A map that portrays some sort of data (Not political or physical)

Dot map

Proportional map

Isoline Map

Cartogram Map

GIS (geographic information system)

Allows for us to take multiple sets of data and combine, also helps us see the correlation

GPS (global positioning system)

Using satellites to connect to pinpoints and direct where they need to go

remote sensing

Compare or look at something through arial images and observe what is happening somewhere.

Models

To explain patterns, predict future behavior. For example where/ why things are located in a city

spacial analysis

Petraying to space on or near earths surface, study arrangement of places

Density type- Arithmetic

People to land

Density type- Physiological

Number of people to farmable land

Density type- Agricultural density

Farmers to farm land

Absolute location

the identification of a place by some precise and accepted system of coordinates

Absolute Distance

The distance that can be measured from point A to point B

absolute direction

A compass direction such as north or south.

relative location

The position of a place in relation to another place

relative distance

Distance measured in terms such as cost or time

relative direction

culturally based and locationally variable direction despite reference to cardinal compass points eg. "Near and Far East"

Distribution

The arrangement of something across Earth's surface.

Dispersion

How far you can spread out

Pattern

the geometric arrangement of objects in space

Site

Unique coordinate points, unique cultural and physical characteristics. reason why someone settled in that area

Situation

the location of a place relative to other places. Helps us find unfamiliar place with a familiar one

Regions

Earths areas that display significant elements of internal uniformity and external difference from surrounding areas

What is the purpose of regions

to make the world understandable, to organize and group areas for analysis & comparison

Characteristics of regions

Location, Spatial extent -> unifying factor, Boundaries, hierarchically arranged

Type of region- Formal

Has essential uniformity in one or limited combination of physical or cultural characteristics

Type of Region- Functional

A node or central point and all points that are connected to it by interactions or the movement of people, goods, or ideas

Type of region- Perceptual

Mental map divisions, reflect feelings and impressions of the individual

Core of a region

Center/ hearth, possesses all the traits of region, focus of region

Domain of region

area in which traits of region are dominant, but minority traits exist

Sphere of a region

the area outside of the core of a culture region in which the culture is still dominant but less intense (Islam in US)