AP Human Geography AP Exam Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts and definitions useful for studying geography for an upcoming exam.

What are reference maps designed for?

Reference maps are designed for people to refer to for general information about places.

Name two main types of reference maps.

Political and physical maps.

What are thematic maps used for?

Thematic maps are used as communication tools to show how human activities are distributed.

What is a Cartogram?

A type of thematic map that distorts the size of geographic regions based on a particular variable.

What does the term 'Distance Decay' refer to?

A geographical term that describes the effect of distance on cultural or spatial interactions.

Define Sustainability in geography.

The goal of achieving equilibrium with the environment, meeting present needs without compromising future resources.

What is Geographic Information System (GIS)?

A computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth's surface.

What is the difference between absolute location and relative location?

Absolute location refers to the precise spot where something is located, while relative location refers to where something is in relation to other things.

What are the four phases before a border is official?

1. Definition, 2. Delimitation, 3. Demarcation, 4. Administration.

What does the Demographic Transition Model explain?

It explains theories of population growth and decline.

What is Malthus' theory about population growth?

Malthus theorized that while population increases geometrically, food supply increases arithmetically.

Define Push Factors in migration.

Forces that drive people away from a place, such as no jobs or political instability.

What is a refugee?

A person who flees their home country and is not able to return.

What is Gentrification?

The restoration of deteriorated urban areas by wealthier people, often displacing poorer residents.

Explain the concept of Urban Sprawl.

The spreading of developments such as housing into suburban or rural areas.

What does 'De Facto Segregation' refer to?

Racial segregation that occurs by fact rather than by legal requirement.

What is the goal of Sustainable Development?

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What is the role of Ecotourism?

Tourism based in natural environments that helps protect the environment while providing jobs for local communities.

What are 'smart growth' initiatives?

Urban planning strategies that avoid urban sprawl and focus on sustainable development.

Define Monoculture in agriculture.

Growing one crop in a farming system at a given time.

What is the 'Von Thünen Model'?

A model used to explain rural land use by emphasizing transportation costs associated with distance from the market.

What is urbanization?

Urbanization is the process by which rural areas become urban areas, often through migration and population growth.

Define globalization.

Globalization is the process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, particularly in terms of trade, culture, and technology.

What is cultural diffusion?

Cultural diffusion is the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.

What is the difference between sustainable development and unsustainable development?

Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, while unsustainable development depletes resources and harms the environment.

What are push and pull factors in migration?

Push factors are reasons that drive people away from their home country, while pull factors attract them to a new location.

What is the difference between a nation and a state?

A nation is a group of people with a common identity, often based on culture or ethnicity, while a state is a defined territory with a government.

What is a world city?

A world city, or global city, is a significant center of global economic, political, and cultural activity.

What is the Von Thünen Model?

The Von Thünen Model explains agricultural land use in relation to the distance from a central market, suggesting that different crops are grown at varying distances based on transportation costs.

Describe the Central Place Theory.

The Central Place Theory, proposed by Walter Christaller, explains the size and distribution of human settlements, suggesting that central places serve as 'market centers' for the surrounding areas.

What is the Burgess Model?

The Burgess Model, or Concentric Zone Model, describes urban land use in a series of concentric circles, with each zone representing different types of land use, typically in relation to social status and economic activity.

Explain the Sector Model by Hoyt.

The Sector Model, developed by Homer Hoyt, suggests that cities develop in sectors or wedges radiating from the central business district, influenced by transportation routes.

What is the Multiple Nuclei Model?

The Multiple Nuclei Model, proposed by Harris and Ullman, portrays urban areas as having multiple centers or 'nuclei' of activity, rather than one single center, reflecting the complexity of modern urban development.

Define gentrification.

Gentrification is the process of renovating and improving a neighborhood, often leading to the displacement of lower-income residents due to rising property values.

What is the Rank-Size Rule?

The Rank-Size Rule states that in a given region, the population of a city is inversely related to its rank in the hierarchy of cities, suggesting that the second-largest city is half the size of the largest, the third-largest is a third the size, and so on.