Other stuff to help for APHG AP Exam

Distance Decay

The farther away something is, the less interaction you'll have with it. (Ex You’re less likely to go to a restaurant 50 miles away.)

Time-Space Compression

Technology reduces the effect of distance. (Ex=You can talk to someone across the world instantly via FaceTime.)

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

Explains how population changes as a country develops economically. Stages= 1. High birth & death rates = slow growth, 2. Death rates fall = population boom, 3. Birth rates fall = growth slows, 4. Low birth & death = stable population, 5. Decline due to very low birth rates

Epidemiologic Transition Model

Explains causes of death through DTM stages. Stages= Famine/disease, Receding pandemics, Degenerative diseases (e.g., cancer), Delayed degenerative (due to healthcare), Return of infectious disease (due to resistance)

Malthusian Theory

Thomas Malthus warned

Neo-Malthusians

Modern version

Ravenstein’s Laws of Migration

Most migration is short distance. (Long-distance = usually to cities. Migrants are often young adults. Women move more internally; men internationally.)

Cultural Landscape (Sauer)

Physical landscape + human imprint = cultural landscape (Ex= Temples, farms, city layouts)

Relocation

People move and bring culture.

Contagious

Rapid, widespread (memes, diseases).

Hierarchical

Spreads from authority or influencer.

Stimulus

Idea spreads but changes (e.g., McDonald’s in India = no beef).

Acculturation

New culture blends with old.

Assimilation

New culture replaces old.

Syncretism

Cultures merge into something new.

Mackinder’s Heartland Theory

Control the Eurasian "heartland" = control the world. (Big in Cold War geopolitics)

Spykman’s Rimland Theory

Control the coasts (rimland) = control the world. (Supported U.S. containment strategy.)

Wallerstein’s World Systems Theory, World is split into

Core=Wealthy, industrialized (US, Germany), Semi-periphery= In-between (Brazil, China), Periphery= Poor, raw material providers (Niger, Haiti)

Gerrymandering

Redrawing voting districts for political advantage. (e.g.Cracking, Packing, Stacking)

Von Thünen Model

Explains land use in rings around a city based on cost. From center out= Dairy (perishable), Forest (heavy), Grains (light), Ranching (needs space), Assumes flat land, same soil, no roads (ideal model).

Rostow’s Stages of Economic Growth

Linear path to development= Traditional society, Preconditions (infrastructure), Takeoff (industrial boom), Maturity, High mass consumption.

Weber’s Least Cost Theory

Factories locate where they can minimize costs= Transportation, Labor, Agglomeration (clustering of industry)

Hotelling’s Model

Businesses locate close to each other to capture the same market (e.g., two ice cream trucks on a beach).

Comparative Advantage

Leads to specialization and global interdependence. Leads to specialization and global interdependence.

Leads to specialization and global interdependence.

Concentric Zone Model (Burgess)

Rings

CBD, Transition (industry, poor housing), Working-class homes, Middle class, Commuter zone

Sector Model (Hoyt)

Urban areas grow in wedges/sectors along transport lines.

Multiple Nuclei Model

Cities have multiple business centers (e.g., airports, universities).

Galactic/Peripheral Model

Suburban edge cities connected by highways, decline of old CBD.

Griffin-Ford Model (Latin American)

Spine of wealth from CBD outward; disamenity zones (slums).

McGee Model (Southeast Asia)

Port at center, multiple CBDs, no clear downtown.

African City Model

Three CBDs

Central Place Theory (Christaller)

Explains location of cities and services.

Larger cities

more services = spaced further apart.

Boundary

A line that marks the limits of a state's territory.

Defined Boundary

A boundary that is established by a legal document (treaty, map, etc.).

Delimited Boundary

A boundary drawn on a map.

Demarcated Boundary

A boundary marked by physical features like fences, walls, or signs.

Natural/Physical Boundary

A boundary based on physical features like rivers, mountains, or deserts.

Geometric Boundary

A boundary that follows straight lines or arcs, often along latitude or longitude.

Cultural Boundary

A boundary based on cultural traits like language or religion.

Subsequent Boundary

A boundary drawn after a region is settled, often reflecting cultural differences.

Superimposed Boundary

A boundary imposed by outside powers, ignoring existing cultures.

Antecedent Boundary

A boundary drawn before the area was well-populated or developed.

Relic Boundary

A former boundary that no longer functions but still has visible evidence (like the Berlin Wall).

Relocation Diffusion

When people move and bring their culture or ideas with them (e.g., immigrants bringing cuisine or language).

Expansion Diffusion

When a cultural idea spreads outward from a central point and remains strong in the origin area.

Hierarchical Diffusion

Spread through a system of power or influence, like fashion trends starting in cities.

Contagious Diffusion

Rapid and widespread spread of an idea or trend, like a viral TikTok.

Stimulus Diffusion

When the core idea spreads but is changed or adapted, like fast food menus varying by country.