Thinking Geographically – Chapters 1 & 2 Vocabulary

55 question-and-answer flashcards covering every key vocabulary term from Chapters 1 & 2 of the Thinking Geographically unit.

What does “absolute location” refer to?

The exact position of a place on Earth expressed by latitude and longitude coordinates.

How is “agricultural density” calculated?

By dividing the number of farmers by the total amount of arable (farmable) land.

What is meant by “arithmetic density”?

Total population divided by total land area.

In U.S. land surveying, what are “base lines”?

East–west lines established by the Land Ordinance of 1785 to help survey and number townships.

Define “cartography.”

The science and art of making maps.

In geography, what does “concentration” describe?

The extent of a feature’s spread over space; whether it is clustered or dispersed.

Explain “contagious diffusion.”

Rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic through a population, like a wave (e.g., viral videos, diseases).

What is the focus of “cultural ecology”?

The study of interactions between humans and their environment.

Define “cultural landscape.”

The visible imprint of human activity and culture on the landscape.

What is a broad definition of “culture”?

The body of customary beliefs, material traits, and social forms that together constitute a group’s distinct tradition.

In spatial terms, what does “density” measure?

The frequency with which something occurs in space.

What is the concept of “distance decay”?

The diminishing importance and eventual disappearance of a phenomenon with increasing distance from its origin.

What does “distribution” refer to in geography?

The arrangement of a feature in space.

Summarize “environmental determinism.”

The (largely discredited) idea that the physical environment causes social and cultural development.

What is a “formal (uniform) region”?

An area within which everyone shares one or more distinctive characteristics.

How does a “Global Positioning System (GPS)” work?

It uses satellites, tracking stations, and receivers to determine the precise position of objects on Earth.

Define “globalization.”

Processes that make something worldwide in scope, increasing global interconnection and interdependence.

What is “Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)”?

The time at the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) that serves as the baseline for all world time zones.

What is a cultural or innovation “hearth”?

The place from which an idea, innovation, or cultural trait originates.

Describe “hierarchical diffusion.”

The spread of an idea from persons or nodes of authority to other people or places.

What does “human geography” study?

Where and why human activities are located where they are.

Where is the “International Date Line” and what happens when you cross it?

Around 180° longitude; crossing east moves the clock back 24 hours, crossing west moves it forward 24 hours.

What did the “Land Ordinance of 1785” establish?

It divided much of the U.S. into townships to facilitate land sale and settlement.

Define “latitude.”

Numbering system for parallels measuring distance north or south of the equator.

What does the term “location” mean?

The position that something occupies on Earth’s surface.

Define “longitude.”

Numbering system for meridians measuring distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

What is a “map”?

A two-dimensional representation of Earth’s surface or a portion of it.

Explain a “mental map.”

An individual’s internal, personal perception of Earth’s surface.

What is a “meridian”?

An arc drawn between the North and South Poles representing lines of longitude.

What is a “parallel” in geography?

A circle drawn around the globe parallel to the equator representing lines of latitude.

Define a “functional (nodal) region.”

An area organized around a focal point or node and linked by movement or function (e.g., a newspaper’s distribution area).

In geography, what does “pattern” refer to?

The geometric or regular arrangement of something in a study area.

What is a “Geographic Information System (GIS)”?

A computer system that captures, stores, analyzes, and displays geospatial data.

What does “physical geography” study?

Spatial characteristics and processes of the natural environment.

Explain “geospatial data.”

Information that describes the location and attributes of objects on Earth’s surface.

What is a “physical map”?

A map showing natural landforms and physical features such as mountains, rivers, and elevation.

Define “geovisualization.”

Interactive visualization techniques used to explore and communicate geospatial data.

How is “physiological density” calculated?

The number of people per unit area of arable (farmable) land.

What is a “place” in geographic terms?

A specific point on Earth distinguished by a particular characteristic.

Summarize “possibilism.”

The theory that while the environment sets certain constraints, humans can adapt and choose many possible actions.

Where is the “Prime Meridian” located?

At 0° longitude, passing through Greenwich, England.

What is a map “projection”?

A method for transferring locations from Earth’s curved surface to a flat map.

What is the “regional studies” approach?

A method that emphasizes the relationships among social and physical phenomena in a particular area.

Define “relative location.”

A place’s position in relation to other places.

Describe “relocation diffusion.”

The spread of an idea through the physical movement of people from one place to another.

What is “remote sensing”?

The acquisition of data about Earth’s surface from satellites or other long-distance methods.

Define “region.”

An area of Earth defined by one or more distinctive characteristics.

What does “site” refer to?

The physical characteristics of a place (e.g., climate, water sources, topography).

Explain “situation.”

The location of a place relative to other places.

What is meant by “space-time compression”?

The reduction in the time it takes for something to reach another place due to improved transportation and communication.

Define “spatial association.”

The degree to which two or more phenomena share similar distributions in space.

What are “spatial patterns”?

The arrangement of objects or phenomena across Earth’s surface.

Describe “stimulus diffusion.”

The spread of an underlying principle even though the specific characteristic is rejected or altered.

What is a “toponym”?

The name given to a place on Earth.

Define a “vernacular (perceptual) region.”

An area that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity (e.g., “the Midwest”).