1.4: Spatial Concepts & Diffusion, 1.1 Introduction to Maps , Module 2 Human Geography, Module 3 AP Human Geography

Space

The areas we occupy as humans; it has no value until the people who occupy it make it their own

Place

How we modify space based on who we are as a group of people

Cultural Landscape

The built forms that cultural groups create in inhabiting Earth

Time-space Compression

The decreasing distance between places, as measured by travel time or cost

Interdependence

The ties established between regions and countries that over time collectively create a global economic system that is not necessarily based on equality

Geographic Processes

The physical and human forces that work together to form and transform the world

Diffusion

The pattern where a movement of people, or their ideas, technologies, or preferences, spreads from a location through space and time

Independent Invention

Occurs when the same or a very similar innovation is developed at the same time by independent people

Expansion Diffusion

Occurs when ideas or practices spread throughout a population, from area to area, in a snowballing process

Hierarchical Diffusion

Occurs when ideas leapfrog from one important person, community, or city to another

Reverse Hierarchical Diffusion

Occurs when ideas leapfrog from a lower level of a hierarchy to a higher level

Stimulus Diffusion

Occurs when a specific trait is rejected, but the underlying idea is accepted

Relocation Diffusion

Occurs when individuals or groups with a particular idea or practice migrate from one location to another, bringing the idea or practice with them

Contagious Diffusion

The wavelike spread of ideas in the manner of a contagious disease or forest fire, moving throughout space without regard for hierarchy

Friction of Distance

The inhibiting effect of distance on the intensity and volume of most forms of human interaction

Absolute Distance

The exact measurable distance between two places, usually expressed in units such as miles or kilometers.

Relative Distance

The distance between two places based on factors such as travel time, cost, or difficulty rather than exact measurement.

Absolute Direction

Direction based on fixed compass points such as north, south, east, and west.

Relative Direction

Direction described in relation to another location using terms such as left, right, or nearby.

Reference Map

A map that shows the locations of places and geographic features to help users locate places or navigate.

Thematic Map

A map that shows the spatial distribution of a specific topic, characteristic, or set of data.

Physical Map

A reference map that shows natural features such as mountains, rivers, landforms, and elevation.

Political Map

A reference map that shows human-created political divisions such as countries, states, cities, and boundaries.

Choropleth Map

A thematic map that uses different shades or colors to represent data across defined areas.

Dot Distribution Map

A thematic map that uses dots to show the location and distribution of a variable across space.

Graduated Symbol Map

A thematic map that uses symbols of different sizes to represent different quantities at specific locations.

Isoline Map

A thematic map that uses lines to connect points of equal value across space.

Cartogram

A thematic map that distorts the size and shape of places based on the value of a specific variable.

Spatial Pattern

The way geographic features, people, or other phenomena are arranged across space.

Dispersed

A spatial pattern in which features are spread out across an area.

Clustered

A spatial pattern in which features are grouped closely together in an area.

Linear

A spatial pattern in which features are arranged along a line or path.

Mercator Projection

A map projection that preserves direction and shape but greatly distorts the size of land near the poles.

Robinson Projection

A compromise map projection that balances distortions in size, shape, distance, and direction for a more realistic-looking world map.

Gall-Peters Projection

A map projection that preserves the relative size of land areas but distorts their shapes.

Goode's Homolosine Projection

An interrupted map projection that preserves the relative size and shape of continents but splits the oceans.

Azimuthal Projection

A circular map projection centered on one point that shows accurate direction and distance from the center but becomes more distorted toward the edges.

Census

The term "Census" means an official survey of a population. This survey is typically conducted to retrieve information or data about a population of people. Some examples of data they could collect include: age, sex, and race. Think of collecting LGBTQIA+ data.

Fieldwork

The term "Fieldwork" refers to learning and doing research involving first hand experience. This usually takes place in a setting away from a classroom. Think of a field trip to a creek where you have to be quiet.

Absolute Location

Absolute location refers to a precise position or location on Earth's surface. Coordinates are usually used to refer to this point. Think of an airtag providing an exact location.

Latitude (line)

Latitude lines circle across the earth HORIZONTALLY. Latitude lines are parallel to the equator. Latitude refers to the degree of distance from north to south of the equator. The equator is at 0 degrees latitude and the poles are at 90 degrees latitude.

Longitude (line)

Longitude lines are VERTICAL. These lines are also imaginary and they connect the north and south poles. Longitude = long = vertical. Prime meridian. The term "Prime Meridian" refers to the VERTICAL counterpart of the equator. This line runs through Greenwich, England which can also be known as Greenwich Meridian. Think of someone in their prime, they only go up.

Global Positioning System

A more common form of the term "Global Positioning System" is the GPS. The GPS consists of 24 satellites which orbit the earth TWICE daily. These satellites transmit radio signals to earth, many apps use GPS to provide directions.

Geographic Information System

This is the software which captures, stores, and checks data related to positions on the earth surface. Computers allow the manipulation of the geospatial data. GPS's smarter brother.

Remote Sensing

The term "Remote Sensing" refers to the scanned version of earth usually by a satellite or an aircraft flying really high. Think of lidar.

Aerial Photography

The term "Aerial Photography" refers to taking photos of something from an elevated position. In terms of geography this is when images of the earth are created from an AERIAL position. The images produced are high quality and extremely detailed. Think of the videos of houses where a drone captures a 360 view.

Satellite Imagery

This is when images of Earth's surface are gathered from sensors on orbiting satellites. The sensors on these satellites can capture normal photos and they can capture portions of the electromagnetic spectrum which people can't see. This allows humans to see the normal photos but all the invisible rays in the form of data.

Topography

Topography is the study and mapping of the shapes, features, and elevation of the Earth's surface. It describes the physical features of Earth.

Relative Location

The position of something in relation to another position. One example is "My advisory class is near the Gym.

Space

"Space" refers to the area we as humans occupy. Space doesn't have value until the person who occupies it asserts that it's theirs.

Place

"Place" refers to how we as people/a group of people modify space based on who we are.

Cultural Landscape

This is the built forms that different cultural groups create when inhabiting Earth. Some examples are Farms, Fields, Cities and Houses. It also refers to the experiences and values associated with those built forms.

Time-space Compression

The decreasing distance between places. One example would be how now we can text and send emails across the world but in the past you would need to send a letter across a boat. The time to text takes seconds while sending a letter

across the world would take months.

Interdependence

The ties which become tight between regions and countries that create a global economic system. This means how both things can't survive without the other. Basically how some materials for a product can come from different countries to make one product.

Geographic Processes

The physical and human forces that work together to form and transform the world. Some examples would be like urbanization and migration.

Diffusion

This is the pattern of which the movement of people, ideas, or technologies, spread from one location to others through time and space.

Independent Invention

This happens when two inventions are made at the same time in two different places. THe inventions are made by different independent inventors.

Expansion Diffusion

This happens when ideas or practices "snowball" through large populations. Spreading from area to area. When this happens the ideas or practices would be practiced a lot more.

Hierarchical Diffusion

This happens when ideas from an important person go to more important people, skipping the working class. Think like how the Met Gala only invites important people.

Reverse Hierarchical Diffusion

This happens when ideas in the working class leapfrog to more people and eventually climb the hierarchical ladder.

Contagious Diffusion

Like a wave. Think of an idea or practice spreading through a lot of people without any preference. Like a forest fire this idea does not care what's in the way and spreads to everything and everyone.

Stimulus Diffusion

This happens when one trait is rejected but the underlying idea is accepted. Think of how Indian Yoga and Indian garments become Americanized.

Relocation Diffusion

This happens when groups or individuals with a specific idea migrate from one location to another. Bringing their thoughts, practices, ideas, and ideologies to the new locations.

Friction of Distance

Basically how human interaction is hampered because of distance. But, time-space compression devices help bridge this gap. Think of how long it would take for a person in America and one person in China to know each other through sending old fashioned letters. Now, both people can just follow each other on social media.