CP Human Geo Unit 1 study guide

What is a map projection?

A way of representing Earth's curved surface on a flat map, which causes distortion.

What is the Mercator projection?

A projection that preserves direction and shape but distorts the size of landmasses near the poles.

What is the Peters projection?

A projection that accurately preserves the relative size of landmasses but distorts their shapes.

What is the Robinson projection?

A projection that attempts to create a visually balanced representation of the world by reducing several types of distortion.

What is distortion?

The unavoidable change in shape, size, distance, or direction of geographic features on a flat map.

What is a thematic map?

A map that focuses on a particular topic or pattern rather than just physical or political features.

What does a dot map show?

Uses dots to show the distribution or frequency of something.

What does a choropleth map show?

Uses different shades/colors to represent values within areas.

What does a heat map show?

Uses areas of varying intensity to show concentrations.

What does an isoline map show?

Uses lines connecting places with equal values.

What is a cartogram?

A map that changes the size/shape of areas according to a particular variable.

What does a graduated symbol map show?

Uses symbols of different sizes to represent different quantities.

What is a hearth?

A place where an idea, innovation, or cultural practice originates and spreads.

What is orientation?

Determining direction or position relative to something else.

What is a mental map?

A person's internal picture or understanding of locations and spatial relationships.

What is topography?

The physical features and elevation of Earth's surface.

What are toponyms?

Place names.

What is GPS?

Global Positioning System that uses satellites to determine location on Earth's surface.

What is GIS?

Geographic Information System used to collect, store, analyze, and display geographic data.

What is remote sensing?

Gathering information about Earth's surface without direct contact, often using satellites.

What is absolute location?

The exact position of a place using a coordinate system.

What is latitude?

Distance north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees.

What is longitude?

Distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees.

What is the Prime Meridian?

0° longitude, the starting point for measuring longitude.

What is the International Date Line?

Located approximately along 180° longitude, where the calendar date changes.

What is place?

The physical and human characteristics that make a location unique.

What is sense of place?

The feelings and meanings people associate with a particular location.

What is space-time compression?

The idea that improvements in transportation and communication make places seem closer.

What is diffusion?

The process by which an idea or cultural trait spreads from one place to another.

What is relocation diffusion?

Occurs when people move and bring an idea or cultural practice with them.

What is expansion diffusion?

When an idea spreads outward from its original location while remaining strong where it began.

What is contagious diffusion?

Spreads rapidly from person to person or place to place.

What is hierarchical diffusion?

Occurs when an idea spreads from important people or places to others.

What is stimulus diffusion?

When the underlying idea spreads but is modified by the receiving culture.

What was John Snow's 'ghost map'?

A map showing cholera cases in London, identifying a connection to a contaminated water pump.

Why are medical maps useful?

They show the spatial distribution of diseases and help identify geographic patterns.

What was Pangaea?

A massive supercontinent where most of Earth's continents were once joined.

What is continental drift theory?

The theory that Earth's continents have moved over geological time.

What is a formal region?

An area defined by measurable, shared characteristics.

What is a functional region?

Organized around a central point and connected through interactions.

What is a vernacular region?

An area people perceive to exist based on cultural identity.

What is globalization?

The increasing interconnection and interdependence of places and people.

What does it mean to describe globalization as 'flat'?

It suggests that globalization has made the world more interconnected.

What does it mean to describe globalization as 'rugged'?

It emphasizes that geography still matters and creates barriers.

What is scale?

The relationship between a distance on a map and the corresponding distance on Earth's surface.

What are the four levels of spatial analysis?

Local, Regional, National, Global.

How can maps be used for good?

To analyze patterns, navigate, study diseases, plan cities, respond to disasters, and communicate.

How can maps be used for bad?

To misrepresent information, persuade people, support political arguments, or hide patterns.

Why can all maps be misleading?

Because every map involves choices about what to include, the projection used, and how information is presented.

What is source accountability?

Considering the creator of a source, its purpose, and the reliability of the information.