unit 1 simplified vocab

absolute location

Exact point on Earth using coordinates.

cartography

Art and science of making maps.

census data

Population information collected by governments.

contagious diffusion

Rapid spread of ideas through contact.

culture

Shared practices, beliefs, and behaviors.

density

Number of things in a given area.

diffusion

Spread of ideas, people, or goods.

distance decay

Interaction lessens with increased distance.

distribution

How features are spread across space.

equator

0° latitude line splitting Earth horizontally.

expansion diffusion

Spread outward while remaining strong at origin.

field data

Information collected by direct observation.

formal region

Area with uniform traits or boundaries.

friction of distance

Distance makes interaction harder and costlier.

functional region

Area organized around a central node.

geospatial data

Information tied to locations on Earth.

GIS

Computer system for mapping spatial data.

globalization

Increasing international connections and interactions.

GPS

Satellite-based real-time location system.

gravity model

Predicts interaction based on distance, population.

hierarchical diffusion

Spread through authority figures or elite groups.

hearth

Origin point of an idea or innovation.

International Date Line

180° longitude; where calendar date changes.

large scale

Map showing small area in great detail.

latitude

Measures distance north or south of Equator.

location

Where something exists on Earth.

longitude

Measures distance east or west of Prime Meridian.

major world regions

Densely populated global areas or groupings.

mercator projection

Accurate direction, distorted near poles.

model

Representation of spatial processes or relationships.

pattern

Spatial arrangement of objects or features.

place

Location defined by unique human traits.

prime meridian

0° longitude line dividing east and west.

projection

2D representation of Earth’s 3D surface.

regions

Large areas with shared characteristics.

relative location

Location compared to other places nearby.

relocation diffusion

Spread through movement of people.

remote sensing

Data collection by satellites without touching ground.

robinson projection

Globe-like map, minimal major distortions.

scale

Level of geographic analysis (local to global).

site

Physical features at a location.

situation

Location relative to surrounding areas.

small scale

Map showing large area, little detail.

space

Physical distance between two places.

time-space compression

Technology shrinks time to travel distance.

spatial analysis

Study of spatial patterns and relationships.

stimulus diffusion

Idea spreads but is culturally adapted.

sustainability

Using resources wisely for future use.

time zones

Regions sharing the same standard time.

toponym

Name given to a place.

vernacular region

Region defined by people's perceptions.

uneven development

Economic growth varies between places.