Unit 1.1-1.3

Geography

The study of spatial characteristics and interactions between humans and the physical environment.

Spatial Approach

A perspective that considers the arrangement of phenomena across the Earth's surface.

Physical Geography

The branch of geography that studies the spatial characteristics of natural elements like landforms and climate.

Human Geography

The branch of geography that studies the spatial characteristics of humans and their activities, such as culture and politics.

Four-Level Analysis

A spatial framework used by geographers to understand the significance of location and patterns.

Comprehension Level (L1)

The basic understanding of "What?" in geographic analysis.

Identification Level (L2)

The understanding of "Where?" in geographic analysis.

Explanation Level (L3)

The understanding of "Why?" in geographic analysis.

Prediction Level (L4)

The understanding of "What if?" in geographic analysis.

Spatial Patterns

The general arrangement of phenomena being studied in geography.

Reference Maps

Maps designed for general information about places, such as political or physical maps.

Thematic Maps

Maps that show spatial aspects of information or phenomena, such as choropleth or dot distribution maps.

Choropleth Maps

Thematic maps that use colors or patterns to show the distribution of spatial data.

Dot Distribution Maps

Maps that show the specific location and distribution of phenomena using dots.

Graduated Symbol Maps

Maps that use symbols of different sizes to indicate varying amounts of a phenomenon.

Isoline Maps

Maps that use lines to connect points of equal value, depicting variations across space.

Cartogram

A map where the sizes of areas are shown according to a specific statistic, such as population.

Scale

The ratio between the size of things in the real world and their representation on a map.

Absolute Location

The precise location of a place using a coordinate system like latitude and longitude.

Relative Location

The location of a place in relation to other places.

Distance

A measurement of how far apart things are, which can be absolute or relative.

Elevation

The height of features above sea level, impacting climate and agriculture.

Distribution

The way a phenomenon is spread out over an area, including clustered, linear, and dispersed patterns.

Map Projections

Methods of representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map, each with strengths and weaknesses.

Geospatial Data

Information tied to specific locations, which can be quantitative or qualitative.

Landscape Analysis

The process of defining and describing landscapes through observation and interpretation.

Remote Sensing

The collection of data from satellites or aerial sources to gather spatial information.

Field Observations

The act of visiting a location to collect firsthand information about it.

Qualitative Data

Non-numerical information collected through interviews, photographs, and descriptions.

Quantitative Data

Numerical information that can be measured and recorded, often used in geographic analysis.