AP HUG Unit 1 Vocab - Barrons

Absolute Distance

A distance that can be measured with a standard unit of length, such as a mile or kilometer.

Absolute Location

The exact position of an object or place, measured within the spatial coordinates of a grid system.

Accessibility

The relative ease with which a destination may be reached from some other place.

Aggregation

To come together into a mass, sum, or whole.

Azimuthal Projection

A map projection in which the plane is the most developable surface.

Breaking Point

The outer edge of a city’s sphere of influence, used in the law of retail gravitation.

Cartograms

A type of thematic map that transforms space to represent data by the largest relative area.

Cartography

The theory and practice of making visual representations of Earth’s surface in the form of maps.

Choropleth Map

A thematic map that uses tones or colors to represent spatial data as average values per unit area.

Cognitive Map

An image of a portion of Earth’s surface created in an individual's mind, including knowledge and perceptions.

Complementarity

The actual or potential relationship between two places, usually referring to economic interactions.

Connectivity

The degree of economic, social, cultural, or political connection between two places.

Contagious Diffusion

The spread of a disease, innovation, or cultural traits through direct contact.

Coordinate System

A standard grid of latitude and longitude used to determine absolute location.

Cultural Ecology

The study of interactions between societies and their natural environments.

Cultural Landscape

The human-modified natural landscape containing the imprint of a particular culture.

Distance Decay Effect

The decrease in interaction between two phenomena as the distance between them increases.

Dot Maps

Thematic maps that use points to show precise locations of specific observations or occurrences.

Environmental Geography

The intersection between human and physical geography, exploring spatial impacts.

Expansion Diffusion

The spread of ideas or innovations to surrounding areas through contact and exchange.

Formal Region

Regions defined by common themes such as language, climate, or land use.

Friction of Distance

A measure of how absolute distance affects interaction between two places.

Fuller Projection

A map projection that maintains accurate size and shape but rearranges direction.

Functional Region

Regions defined by common interaction, such as the circulation of a newspaper.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Computer tools used to capture, store, analyze, and display geographic data.

Geographic Scale

The scale at which a geographer analyzes a phenomenon, affecting detail in findings.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A set of satellites used to determine location on Earth’s surface.

Gravity Model

A mathematical formula describing interaction between two places based on population size and distance.

Hierarchical Diffusion

A type of diffusion transmitted between places due to physical or cultural community.

Human Geography

The study of spatial variation in patterns and processes related to human activity.

International Date Line

The line of longitude marking where each new day begins, centered on the 180th meridian.

Intervening Opportunity

A closer supplier blocking a third supplier from sharing goods or services due to proximity.

Isoline

A map line connecting points of equal or similar values.

Large Scale

A small ratio between map units and ground units, covering smaller regions with higher resolution.

Latitude

The angular distance north or south of the equator, defined by lines of latitude.

Law of Retail Gravitation

A law stating people are drawn to larger cities for business due to wider influence.

Location Chart

A chart or graph on a map providing statistical information about a political unit.

Longitude

The angular distance east or west of the prime meridian, defined by lines of longitude.

Map Projection

A mathematical method for transferring Earth’s sphere onto a flat surface, causing distortions.

Map Scale

The ratio between the size of an area on a map and its actual size on Earth’s surface.

Mercator Projection

A cylindrical map projection useful for navigation, maintaining accurate direction but distorting area.

Meridian

A line of longitude running north-south, equal in length and intersecting at the poles.

Natural Landscape

The physical landscape or environment unaffected by human activities.

Nature-Society

The study of interactions between societies and their natural environments.

Parallel

An east-west line of latitude marking distance north or south of the equator.

W

Geographer who identified four distinct traditions in geography:earth-science, culture-environment, locational, and area-analysis.

Perceptual Region

Individualized definitions of regions based on perceived commonalities in culture and landscape