AP Human Geography: Key Concepts in Location, Mapping, and Spatial Patterns

Absolute location

Exact coordinates (e.g., latitude / longitude) that pinpoint a place on Earth.

Relative location

Position of a place described in relation to other locations (e.g., "north of the river").

Site

Physical characteristics of a place itself (terrain, resources, climate).

Situation

How a place's location influences its development (access to trade routes, proximity to markets).

Place

The human and physical attributes that give a location its identity (culture, landmarks, scenery).

Location

General term for where something is situated; can be absolute or relative.

Human‑Environment Interaction

Ways people affect and are affected by their surroundings (e.g., agriculture, urbanization).

Movement

The flow of people, goods, ideas, or information across space.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

Satellite system that provides precise location data anywhere on Earth.

GIS (Geographic Information System)

Computer platform for storing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data.

Aerial photography

Images captured from aircraft or drones to document the Earth's surface.

Remote sensing

Collection of data about an area from a distance (satellites, sensors) without physical contact.

Cartography

The art and science of making maps.

Cartographer

A professional who designs and produces maps.

Map projection

Method of translating the curved Earth onto a flat surface, each with its own distortions.

Scale

Ratio that shows the relationship between map distance and real‑world distance.

Reference map

Shows geographic features (roads, rivers, boundaries) for orientation.

Thematic map

Focuses on a specific topic or data set (population density, climate).

Physical map

Highlights natural features such as mountains, rivers, and vegetation.

Political map

Emphasizes human‑defined boundaries like countries, states, and cities.

Pattern

The overall arrangement of phenomena in space (regular, random, clustered).

Distribution

How a phenomenon is spread across an area.

Clustered

Features are grouped closely together (e.g., cities along a coast).

Dispersed

Features are spread out evenly or sparsely (e.g., ranches in a desert).

Region

An area that shares common characteristics distinguishing it from surrounding areas.

Formal region

Defined by uniform physical or cultural traits (e.g., a desert, a language area).

Functional (nodal) region

Organized around a central point or activity (e.g., a metropolitan commuting zone).

Perceptual (vernacular) region

Based on people's subjective perceptions (e.g., "the South" in the U.S.).