Unit One AP HUMAN GEO

What are the two main types of reference maps?

Political and physical maps.

What is a thematic map used for?

As a communications tool to show how human activities are distributed.

What is a cartogram?

A map where regions are distorted in size based on a specific variable.

Define choropleth map.

A map that uses different shading or coloring to represent data values.

What does a dot density map show?

It uses dots to represent a specified number of occurrences of a phenomenon.

What do isoline maps depict?

They connect points of equal value on a map.

What does proportional symbol map represent?

It uses symbols of different sizes to show the magnitude of a variable.

What is absolute distance?

The exact measurement of the space between two points.

Define clustering in geographic terms.

When items are grouped or bunched together.

What is dispersal in geography?

When items appear to be distributed over a wide area.

What is elevation used to represent on maps?

The height of land in relation to sea level.

What is a Mercator map known for?

Accurate shape and directions, but greatly distorted toward the poles.

What is unique about the Robinson map?

It distorts everything in small amounts for a visually appealing representation.

What does the Goode map accurately portray?

Continent sizes, but not directions and distances.

What does the Gall-Peters map distort?

The shape of countries, especially near the equator.

What does GIS stand for?

Geographic Information System.

What is GPS?

Geographic Positioning System, which uses satellites to determine location.

What is remote sensing?

The process of taking pictures of Earth's surface from a distance.

What is census data?

An official count of individuals in a population.

What is absolute location?

The precise spot where something is located.

Define relative location.

The location of something in relation to other things.

What does 'space' refer to in geography?

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

What is meant by 'place' in geography?

Specific human and physical characteristics of a location.

Define distance decay.

The effect of distance on cultural or spatial interactions.

What is time-space compression?

The increasing sense of connectivity despite unchanged distances.

What does sustainability mean?

Reaching equilibrium with the environment for present and future needs.

Define natural resources.

Physical materials from Earth that people need and value.

What is environmental determinism?

The idea that the physical environment determines social development.

Define possibilism.

The view that the environment may limit human actions, but people can adjust.

What does scale in geography refer to?

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

Define scale of analysis.

How zoomed in or out one is when examining geographic data.

What is a formal region?

A region based on quantitative data that can be measured.

Define functional region.

A region based around a node or focal point.

What is a vernacular (perceptual) region?

An area defined by a common qualitative characteristic perceived by people.