AP Human Geography Semester Exam

What is Human Geography?

The study of the spatial aspects of human existence, focusing on how humans interact with their environment.

What are the five themes of geography?

Location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region.

Define location in geography.

The position of something on Earth's surface.

What is the difference between absolute and relative location?

Absolute location is the exact coordinate of a place, while relative location describes a place's location in relation to other locations.

Describe the concept of scale in geography.

Scale refers to the level of detail or scope of the study in geography, such as local, regional, or global.

What is a cultural landscape?

A geographic area that includes cultural and natural resources associated with a particular people.

Define 'site' in geographical terms.

The physical characteristics of a place, such as landforms, climate, and availability of resources.

What is 'situation' in geography?

The location of a place relative to other places.

Explain the concept of spatial distribution.

The arrangement of a phenomenon across the Earth's surface.

What is a map projection?

A method for representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map.

What is globalization in human geography?

The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.

Define demographic transition model (DTM).

A model that describes the transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops.

What is a population pyramid?

A graphical representation of the age and sex distribution of a population.

Describe the concept of migration.

The movement of people from one place to another, often for the purpose of settlement.

What are pull factors in migration?

Positive conditions or attributes in the destination country that attract migrants.

What are push factors in migration?

Negative conditions or attributes in the origin country that drive people to migrate.

Define urbanization.

The process by which an increasing percentage of a population comes to live in urban areas.

What is the difference between concentrated and dispersed settlement patterns?

Concentrated patterns are clustered closely together, while dispersed patterns are spread out over a larger area.

What is a nation?

A group of people who share common cultural characteristics.

Define state in political geography.

A defined territory with a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

What is sovereignty?

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

What is a federal system of government?

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

How does a unitary system of government differ from a federal system?

In a unitary system, most or all power is held by a central government, while a federal system distributes power to smaller units.

Define cultural diffusion.

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.

What is a hearth in cultural geography?

A place where cultural traits develop and from which they diffuse.

What are the different types of diffusion?

Expansion diffusion, relocation diffusion, hierarchical diffusion, and contagious diffusion.

What is urban hierarchy?

The ranking of cities based on their size and the number of services they provide.

Define sustainable development.

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

What is cultural assimilation?

The process by which a person or a group's culture comes to resemble that of another group.

Describe the concept of language family.

A group of languages related through descent from a common ancestor.

What is a lingua franca?

A language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.

Define folk culture.

The traditional practices and customs of a particular group of people.

What is popular culture?

Culture that is widespread and commonly shared across different societies.

What role does religion play in cultural geography?

Religion influences cultural practices, social structure, and community relationships.

Define ethnicity.

A shared cultural heritage, often linked by language, religion, or historical experience.

What is the significance of climate in human geography?

Climate influences where populations settle, agricultural practices, and economic activities.

Describe the concept of environmental determinism.

The theory that the physical environment, especially the climate and terrain, actively shapes cultures and societies.

What is possiblism?

The view that while the environment may pose limitations, people have the ability to adapt and make choices.

What is the purpose of a choropleth map?

To display regional variations in a particular quantity using different shades or colors.

Define hierarchical diffusion.

The spread of a trait or phenomenon from one key person or place to others.

What is the significance of toponymy in geography?

The study of place names, which can reveal information about the cultural and historical aspects of a region.

What is a formal region?

An area defined by official boundaries or uniform characteristics.

Define functional region.

An area defined by a specific function or service, such as a metropolitan area.

What is a perceptual region?

An area defined by people's perceptions or feelings rather than by official boundaries.

What is remittance in the context of migration?

Money sent back home by migrants to support their families.

What are topographic maps?

Maps that represent terrain relief and show elevation, slope, and landforms.

What is the significance of cartography?

The practice and study of making maps, which is crucial for geographic understanding.

What does the term 'biocultural anthropology' refer to?

The study of the intersections of biological and cultural aspects of humans.

Define cultural ecology.

The study of human adaptations to social and physical environments.

What is cultural imperialism?

The practice of promoting the culture or language of one dominant culture over others.

What is the migration transition model?

A model that describes the changes in migration patterns as a country progresses through the DTM.

Define global positioning system (GPS).

A satellite-based navigation system used to determine precise location.

What is the concept of place in geography?

A specific point on Earth distinguished by particular characteristics.

What is the function of a dot map?

To show the presence of a feature or phenomenon in a particular area, with dots representing occurrences.

What is a climate zone?

A region classified according to its climate conditions, including temperature and precipitation.

What is urban sprawl?

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the surrounding rural land.

What role do geographic information systems (GIS) play in human geography?

GIS is used to gather, manage, and analyze spatial and geographic data.

Define ethical geography.

The study of how geographic knowledge can be used for social justice and ethical decision-making.

How does the concept of space differ from place in geography?

Space is a more abstract concept referring to a continuous area or expanse, while place is imbued with meaning and emotions.

What is the role of borders in human geography?

Borders delineate territories, affect political relations, and influence migration patterns.

What is cultural relativism?

The practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of one's culture.

What is a primate city?

A city that is significantly larger and more influential than any other city in the country.

Define placelessness.

The loss of uniqueness of a place, making it indistinguishable from other places.