AP Human Geography - Unit 1: Thinking Geographically Flashcards

Fill-in-the-blank practice flashcards covering vocabulary and topics from AP Human Geography Unit 1: Thinking Geographically.

An area defined by official boundaries or uniform human/physical characteristics is known as a __________.

Formal region

A region organized around a central node or focal point connected by transportation or communication lines is called a __________.

Functional / Nodal Region

A region based on people's personal feelings, attitudes, or informal perceptions of an area is a __________.

Perceptual / Vernacular Region

The theory that the physical environment strictly limits and causes human social development is known as __________.

Environmental determinism

The theory that while the physical environment sets limits, humans have the ability to adapt and adjust to their environment is called __________.

Possibilism

The arrangement or distribution of phenomena across the Earth's surface is referred to as __________.

Spatial patterns

The concept that the intensity of interaction between two places decreases as the distance between them increases is called __________.

Distance decay / time-distance decay / friction of distance

The ratio between the distance on a map and the actual distance on the Earth's surface is the __________.

cartographic (map) scale

A map designed to show a specific theme or spatial distribution, such as population density, rather than general geographic features is a __________.

Thematic map

The scientific process of transferring locations on Earth's three-dimensional surface onto a two-dimensional flat map is a __________.

Projection

High-tech tools such as GPS, GIS, and Remote Sensing used to collect, analyze, and map spatial data are collectively called __________.

Geospatial technologies

Information that can be measured, counted, and recorded using numerical values and statistics is known as __________.

Quantitative data

Descriptive, non-numerical information based on observations, interviews, descriptions, and opinions is known as __________.

Qualitative data

The absolute location and exact physical, internal characteristics of a place (such as climate, elevation, and terrain) is its __________.

Site

The relative location of a place in relation to surrounding physical features and other human development is its __________.

Situation

The spread of an idea or feature through an established chain or hierarchy of authority or power is __________.

Hierarchical diffusion

The rapid, widespread diffusion of a feature or trend throughout a population by direct contact is __________.

Contagious diffusion

The spread of an underlying principal or idea even though a specific characteristic itself fails to diffuse or is modified is __________.

Stimulus diffusion

The physical movement of people carrying ideas, cultural traits, or innovations from one place to another is __________.

Relocation diffusion

The reduction in time it takes for something to reach another place due to advancements in technology and transport is called __________.

Time-Space Compression (aka Space-Time Compression)

Analyzing geographic data, patterns, and phenomena across the entire planet as a whole is studying at the __________.

global scale of analysis

Analyzing geographic data that groups geographic areas into continental or sub-continental regions is studying at the __________.

regional scale of analysis

Analyzing geographic data organized by individual country boundaries is studying at the __________.

national scale of analysis

Analyzing geographic data focused on individual communities, cities, neighborhoods, or counties is studying at the __________.

local scale of analysis