AP HUG Unit 1 Module 1-2 Vocab

Map

Map

A 2d representation of a geographical area

Cartographer

A person who makes maps

Data Aggregation

The process of collecting and organizing large amounts of information

Spatial Perspective

A geological outlook that identifies and explains the usage of space

Spatial Patterns

The placement or arrangement of objects on the earth’s surface

Time-Distance Decay 

A concept that suggests things near each other are more related than things further away from each other and the interactions between two places decreases the further away they are from each other

Map Symbols

A graphic element of the map that helps organize information

Legend 

Something on the map that explains the map symbols and colors

Compass Rose 

A component of the map that shows it’s orientation and the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west)

Absolute Direction 

corresponds to the direction of a compass: north, south, east, and west, as well as the combination directions like northeast and southwest.

Map Scale 

explains how the distance on the map relates to the distance on the actual space

Scale

the territorial extent of a an object or idea (or referring to how maps “zoom in” and “zoom out” there are many kinds of map scales)

Absolute Distance 

The distance that can be measured with a standard unit of length

Relative DIstance 

A measure for the level of social, cultural, or economic similarity between two places despite their absolute distance (two places could be close in actual difference but far in economic levels)

Relative Direction 

A direction that can be described as a position like in front or behind

Elevation

The distance above sea level

Isoline

A line on a map that links different places that share a common/equal value (like elevation)

Topographic Map  

A graphic representation of the three dimensional arrangement of the Earth’s surface

Reference Map 

One of the two general types of maps. These maps normally emphasizes locations

Thematic Map 

One of the two general types of maps. These maps emphasize spatial patterns.

Choropleth Map

A map that shows aggregated data on specific geographic areas. Normally for politics

Cartogram

A map that distorts the geographic shape of an area to show the size of a variable (like birth rate or unemployment)

Proportional/Graduated Circle Map 

A map that uses symbols (like circles or dots) to represent numerical values

Dot Density/Distribution Map 

A map that uses dots to account for objects or counts (it could have a one to one ratio or one to many ratio)

Map Projection 

represent’s the earth’s surface, or a celestial sphere on a plane

Mercator Projection 

This projection is used in the standard map. It distorts areas the further they get away from the equator. It is great for navigation because the connecting points of the lines show true compass direction)

Peters Projection 

A projection that shows the true area of each region but it distorts their shapes

Goode Homolosine Projection

A map projection that avoids shape distortion and the limits of having a rectangular map by having “interruptions” In each section, areas are shown equally. The map is similar to peeling a orange peel and laying it flat

Polar Projection

A projection that looks down at the earth from either the north or south pole. Masses closer to the poles will look larger while masses further away from them look smaller.

Robinson Projection

A projection that aims to create the most visually appealing representation of the earth by minimizing all kinds of distortions.

Census

an official count or survey of the populations. records details like age, sex, and race

Fieldwork

learning and doing research involving firsthand experience, which takes place outside a classroom setting

Absolute Location 

precise location on the earth’s surface

Latitude

horizontal lines parallel to the equator. degree north or south

Longitude

vertical lines parallel to the prime meridian. Degree east or west

Prime Meridian 

Greenwich England (0 degrees longitude)

Global Position System (GPS) 

satellites that orbit earth and send radio signals to give your precise location

Geographic Information System (GIS) 

a software app for capturing storing checking and dispaying data related to positions on the earth’s surface. it allows the rapid manipulation of geospatial data for problem solving and research

Remote Sensing 

the scanning of earth by satellite or a high flying aircraft in order to learn more about it

Aerial Photography 

remote sensing photography that produces high res images that are very detailed

Satellite Imagery

images gathered from satellites via the electromagnetic spectrum