APHG Final Vocabulary Unit 1

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from Unit 1 of the AP Human Geography curriculum.

Cartogram

A map that distorts shape to show the size of a specific variable.

Census

A population count taken every 10 years.

Choropleth Map

A map where data is aggregated for a specific area, using different colors to show different values.

Contagious Diffusion

The widespread spread of ideas without regard to hierarchy.

Compass Rose

A figure that shows the four cardinal directions on a map.

Dot Density Map

A map that uses dots to represent objects or counts.

Environmental Determinism

The theory that the physical environment shapes cultures.

Formal Region

An area with people who share one or more traits in common, such as a US state.

Functional Region

An area that functions politically, socially, culturally, or economically as one unit.

Perceptual/Vernacular Region

An area perceived to exist based on widespread acceptance, like 'The South'.

Possibilism

The theory that the physical environment offers ways a society could develop.

G.I.S. (Geographic Information System)

A system for capturing, showing, checking, and displaying data such as the locations of hotels and fast-food restaurants.

Scale of Analysis

The level or size when studying a topic, such as global, national, or local scales.

Longitude

Vertical lines on a map connecting the North and South Pole.

Latitude

Horizontal lines measuring distance north and south of the equator.

Map Projections

Methods for representing the surface area of the Earth on a flat map.

Prime Meridian

The zero-degree line of longitude.

Equator

The latitude line exactly halfway between the North and South Poles.

Reference Map

Maps that show locations, such as cities and oceans.

Proportional/Graduated Circle Map

A map using symbols of different sizes to represent thematic values.

Absolute location

The precise location of a place.

Relative location

A position in relation to other positions.

Relocation Diffusion

The migration of people that brings new ideas to a new place.

Stimulus Diffusion

The underlying idea spreads but the original trait is modified.

Hierarchical Diffusion

The spread of ideas that leapfrog from important levels to lower levels.

Reverse Hierarchical Diffusion

The spread of ideas that leapfrog from lower levels to higher levels.

Thematic Map

A map that emphasizes spatial patterns of attributes.

Time-Distance Decay

The concept that near things are more related than distant things.

Time-Space Compression

The decreasing distance between places due to travel advancements.

Topographic Maps

Maps that show the Earth's 3D shape.

Map Scale

The relationship between distance on a map and distance in actual space.

Map Legend

A key that explains symbols, colors, and patterns on a map.

Cartographer

A person who draws maps.

Global Scale

Entire world

Regional Scale

Countries, Large areas

National Scale

One Country

Local Scale

City, Town, Or Neighborhood