aphg unit one

Reference Maps

Designed for people to refer to for general information about places; main types include political and physical maps.

Thematic Maps

Used to communicate how human activities are distributed across various regions.

Cartogram

A thematic map in which the size of areas is distorted to convey information about a specific variable.

Choropleth Map

A type of thematic map that uses different colors or shading to represent statistical data.

Dot Density Map

A thematic map that uses dots to represent the frequency of a variable in a given area.

Isoline Map

A thematic map that uses lines to connect points of equal value.

Proportional Symbol Map

A thematic map that uses symbols of varying sizes to show the magnitude of a phenomenon.

Absolute Distance

The exact measurement of the physical space between two locations.

Relative Distance

A measure of distance that describes the separation between places in terms of time or cost.

Clustering

A spatial pattern where items are grouped or bunched together.

Dispersal

A spatial pattern where items appear to be distributed widely across an area.

Elevation

Refers to how high or low an area is located on the land.

Map Projection

The method by which the curved surface of the Earth is represented on a flat map, which can distort shape, size, distance, and direction.

Mercator Map

A map projection that maintains accurate shape and direction but distorts size, especially at the poles.

Robinson Map

A map projection that attempts to minimize distortion of all qualities, but does distort everything slightly.

Goode's Homolosine Projection

A map projection that accurately represents the size of continents but distorts shape and distance.

Gall-Peters Projection

A map projection that equally represents all land masses but distorts shapes, especially near the equator.

Geospatial Data

Information that includes both physical features of Earth and human activities.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

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

GPS (Geographic Positioning System)

A system that uses data from satellites to pinpoint locations on Earth and assist navigation.

Remote Sensing

The process of capturing images of the Earth's surface from satellites or aircraft to analyze geography.

Census Data

An official count of individuals in a population that occurs every ten years in the USA.

Absolute Location

The precise spot where something is located, often defined by geographic coordinates.

Relative Location

The position of something in relation to other things.

Space

The extent of an area, which can be described in relative or absolute terms.

Place

Specific human and physical characteristics of a location.

Distance Decay

The decrease in interaction or cultural contact as distance increases.

Time-Space Compression

The increasing sense of connection that seems to bring people closer together despite physical distances.

Pattern

The geometric or regular arrangement of something in an area.

Sustainability

The goal of humans achieving equilibrium with the environment to meet present needs while preserving resources for future generations.

Natural Resources

Physical materials of the Earth that people need and value.

Environmental Determinism

The theory that the physical environment shapes social development.

Possibilism

The belief that while the physical environment may limit human actions, people can adjust to their surroundings.

Scale

The relationship between distance on the ground and distance represented on a map.

Scale of Analysis

The degree to which a geographer 'zooms in' or 'zooms out' when studying geographic data.

Region

An area larger than a point and smaller than a planet defined by common features.

Formal Region

A type of region based on quantitative data that can be documented, like governmental areas.

Functional Region

A region centered around a node or focal point, such as a broadcast area.

Vernacular Region (Perceptual Region)

A region defined by people's perceptions and attitudes; lacks precise boundaries.