AP Human Geography Unit 1 Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering map projections, data collection methods, geospatial technologies, census applications, and spatial location concepts.

Mercator Map

Most commonly used map because the shape of the land is accurate; primarily used for ocean navigation.

Gall Peters Map

A map with a stretched size look that creates accurate size but incorrect shape; provides an accurate projection of developing countries that usually get forgotten.

Goode Map

An interrupted map that makes it bad for navigation, featuring accurate size but large land in comparison to ocean, creating distortion.

Robinson Map

An interrupted map that is bad for navigation, featuring accurate size with large land in comparison to ocean creating distortion.

Geographic Data

Any information used to describe a specific item location or trend on Earth's surface.

Field Observations

The act of physically going somewhere to collect firsthand data at that location.

Media Reports

Articles, broadcasts, and news reports that geographers use to analyze humans interacting with the environment.

Travel Narrative

Written or recorded accounts of people's experiences while traveling.

Policy Documents

Written records that set rules and guidelines.

Personal Interviews

An account where someone explains their first-person experience and understanding to you.

Landscape Analysis

An analysis referring to the shape of the land, with the goal of describing how humans have made an impact on that space.

Photographic Interpretation

An analysis process with the goal to describe how humans have made an impact on a specific space.

Geospatial Technologies

Modern geographic tools including Geographic Info Systems, Satellite Navigation Systems, remote sensing, and online mapping and visualization.

Geographic Info System (GIS)

A computer system that can store, analyze, and display data connected to specific places on Earth's surface.

Satellite Navigation System

System where GPS receivers on Earth's surface use the locations of multiple satellites to determine and record a receiver's exact location.

Remote Sensing

The process of gathering data about an object or area from a distance without making physical contact.

Online Mapping and Visualization

Websites that emphasize graphical and text info in the form of maps and databases, often used to help users but then attempt to sell something.

Census

An official count of the population that takes place in the United States every $10$ years and is used to make governmental decisions.

Census Power: Distribution of Money

Guides the annual allocation of money for roads, schools, and public service based on population counts.

Census Power: Political Power

Determines how many representatives a state gets in Congress based on census data.

Census Power: Businesses

Gives business information regarding where to place facilities based on population data.

Spatial Concepts

The different connections used to describe the relationships between different locations.

Absolute Location

A precise spot that never changes, described by a street address or exact latitude and longitude.

Latitude

Invisible lines ($181$ lines) that run horizontally across the globe with the Equator at $0^\text{degrees}$ in the center; they wrap around the entirety of the globe and never intersect.

Longitude

Invisible lines ($361$ lines) that run vertically across the globe with the Prime Meridian at $0^\text{degrees}$ in the center; they do not intersect with other longitude lines, but only intersect with latitude.

Relative Location

A location described in relation to somewhere else rather than a specific spot, using categories of latitude/longitude or terms like peripheral (meaning outside).