APHUG 1.6

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms on map scales, projections, and geographic models from the lecture notes.

Linear Map Scale

Graphic bar that directly expresses distance on the map surface.

Ratio (Fractional) Scale

Shows the mathematical relationship between map distance and real-world distance (e.g., 1:50,000).

Large-Scale Map

Map with a comparatively large ratio (e.g., 1:50,000), covering a small area with high detail; useful for city planning.

Small-Scale Map

Map with a very small ratio (e.g., 1:1,000,000), covering a large area with low detail; useful for state or national overviews.

Area Preservation

Projection property that keeps relative sizes of areas accurate across the map.

Shape Preservation

Projection property that maintains the true shapes of geographic features.

Projection

Method of transferring Earth’s 3-D surface to a 2-D map, inevitably introducing area or shape distortion.

Equal-Area Projection

Map projection designed to preserve area accuracy while distorting shapes (e.g., Mollweide).

Conformal Projection

Map projection designed to preserve true shapes but distorts relative area (e.g., Mercator).

Robinson Projection

Compromise projection that moderately distorts both area and shape to create a visually pleasing world map.

Goode’s Homolosine Projection

Interrupted, pseudo-cylindrical projection that balances area and shape distortions for a practical world representation.

Model (Geographic)

Abstract generalization of real-world geographies that share a common spatial or social pattern.

Spatial Model

Model that illustrates pattern commonalities among similar landscapes (e.g., von Thünen’s land-use model).

Urban Model

Spatial model explaining recurring city patterns and their economic or social structures (e.g., Concentric Zone Model).

Demographic Transition Model

Non-spatial model using population data to depict stages of national population growth over time.

Scale Type vs. Map Purpose

Large-scale maps offer high detail for small areas (city), while small-scale maps provide low detail for large areas (state/province).