AP Human Geo Unit 1

Global Information Services (GIS)

A computer system that stores analyzes and displays data tied to specific locations on earth

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A satellite based navigation tool used to determine the exact, absolute location of people, objects, or features on earth

Qualitative Data

Non-numeric geographic information that captures people’s attitude experiences, perceptions and personal meanings regarding a specific place

Quantitative Data

Numerical and measurable information that can be counted organized, and statistically analyzed

Distance Decay

Interactions between places drop as distinct grows an example is sports attendance grows when at a home game

Time-Space Compression

A concept describing how rapid development and communication and transportation technology to make the world feel smaller in the distance is seem shorter

Absolute location

Exact spot on earth that does not change

Relative location

Where a place is located on earth compared to other detail details nearby such as landmarks and environment

Absolute distance

Fixed measurements such as miles, kilometers and meters

Relative distance

Separation between places, using social, economic, cultural connectivity

Absolute direction

A fixed point that does not change based off where you stand or face

Relative Direction

Described by comparing into an object instead of using cardinal directions

Global Scale

Shows the whole world at one level of data

Regional Scale

Shows data by continent or major world regions

National Scale

Shows data from one or more countries

Local Scale

Shows data at a subnational level, typically can be shown as states or cities

Reference map

Shows location of geographical features

Thematic maps

Shows a map with a specific data or themes

Mercator Maps

This kind of map preserves, true angles, and compass directions. Straight lines on the map are very accurate, but near the polls or far away from the equator the map becomes severely distorted

Peters Map

This kind of map shows the relative land areas of countries, but it stretches near the equator and smushes near the poles

Conic Map

This map maps mid latitude regions that have a wide East to West expanse. It lowers distortion near standard lines, but doesn’t map polar extreme

Robinson Map

This kind of map is the most officially pleasing and balanced. It uses curved medians to better show the globe, but it doesn’t have the true directions and it’s terrible to use for precise location

Political Map

A type of map designed to show human created boundaries, government, divisions, and areas rather than natural physical features

Physical Map

A type of map that shows natural features of a art surface, such as mountains, rivers, lakes, and deserts rather than man-made political boundaries

Choropleth Map

A type thematic map where geographic region, such as states, countries or counties are shaded or colored in proportion to a specific statistical data variable

Dot Distribution Map (dot density map)

A type of thematic map that uses uniform points symbols (dots) to show location, quantity and spatial pattern of a specific feature or phenomenon across a geographic area

Isoline Map

A thematic map that uses continuous lines to connect points of equal measured value across the geographic area

Cartogram Map

A map that intentionally distort the size or shape of a geographic regions to make their area proportional to a specific data variable, such as population votes were wealth rather than their actual land area

Formal Region

An area to find a unified by shared physical, cultural, or political character, characteristic. An example is language

Functional Region

An area organized around a main point defined by the interactions, flow of goods, services, or communication between the surrounding area

Perceptual Region

An area that exists in peoples mind and is defined by shared feeling and cultural identity rather than boundaries. An example is the Middle East and the American South

Sustainability

Meeting human needs for resources and economic growth without harming the environment

Environmental Determinism

The environment completely shaped human culture, and the way that humans act

Possiblism

The environment sets limits, but humans adapt and modify their surroundings to make it more livable