Unit 1: Thinking Geographically

the field

places where a subject of study is observed in its natural location or context

geospatial pattern

the arrangement of objects on Earth’s surface in relationship to one another

geospatial process

the correlation between series of natural, physical, and environmental, and human related events and changes to Earth’s surface

absolute location

The exact measurement of something on the mathematical grid of the Earth

census data

geospatial data collected through the quantification of a population

core of a region

an area in which the occurrence of distinct characteristics are the most intense; directs the movements of non-central parts

cultural landscape

the human imprint on the natural landscape, modified to reflect people’s cultural beliefs

distance decay

the diminishing importance and eventual disappearance of something the more is distances itself from its origin

distortion

the result of attempting to represent a three dimensional object (inaccurate differences of the size of countries on the map)

mercator projection

robinson projection

distribution

the arrangement of something along Earth’s surface

environmental determinism

the belief that physical factors such as landforms and climate (the environment) influence humans

formal/uniform/homogenous region

an area where everyone shares one or more distinctive characteristics (everything is same)

functional/nodal region

an area organized around a core or focal point

Geographic Information System (GIS)

a computer system that stores, organizes, analyzes, and displays multiple layers of geographical data

perceptual/vernacular region

an area that people believe exists as a part of their cultural identity (doesn’t have distinct borders)

periphery (of a region)

An area comprised of non-central, yet interdependent, parts; Its distinct characteristics lessen in intensity as you move away from the core towards a region's margin

place

a specific point on Earth distinguished by particulars characteristics

possibilism

the viewpoint that emphasizes the diverse manners in which human cultures respond to the natural environment (the built environment and human influence the environment, not the other way around)

qualitative data

information that is collected through surveys, descriptions, and visual observations. (no numbers)

quantitative data

information that can be measured and recorded with numbers

reference maps

maps that are made for people seeking general information about a place, such as political or physical maps

region

a area defined on the basis of one or more characteristics or activity, viewed differently from other areas

relative location

the explanation of where something is based on other things around it (relative to other objects)

remote sensing

the acquisition of data about Earth’s from a satellite

scale of analysis

the relationship between the portion of Earth being studied and Earth as a whole

sustainability

the idea of meeting the needs of the present without impacting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

thematic maps

maps showing spatial aspects of information, such as a choropleth or topographic map

time-space compression

the reduction in the time it takes to diffuse something to places as a result of improved communication and transport systems

toponyms

names designed to portions of Earth’s surface

transitional nature of regional boundaries

representing changes in the use of space as one crosses from one side to the other implying that some rules, expectations, and/or behaviors also change