Unit 1 AP Human Geography

A set of 48 flashcards covering key unit 1 geography concepts and terminology.

Absolute Distance

The distance between two points, communicated using precise quantitative units of measurement.

Absolute Location

The precise place where something can be found; often described using latitude and longitude coordinates.

Cartogram

Maps where the sizes of places are distorted in order to represent some specific statistic.

Cartography

The art and science of mapmaking - representing a geographic area on a flat surface.

Choropleth Map

Maps that use various colors, shades, or patterns to show the location and distribution of spatial data.

Clustered

A descriptor for when there is a high level of density and a low level of distribution of data.

Conic Projection

A map projection used primarily for regional mapping, preserving size and shape but distorting direction.

Density

How often or how much something occurs within a space, often described as high or low.

Dispersed

A descriptor for when there is a low level of density due to a high level of distribution.

Distance Decay

The theory that interaction between two places decreases as the distance between them increases.

Distribution

Where something occurs within a space, described as clustered or dispersed.

Dot Distribution Maps

Maps that show the location and distribution of something using dots, with each dot representing a specific quantity.

Environmental Determinism

A philosophy that claims human behaviors and culture are a direct result of the surrounding environment.

Formal Region

An area defined by official boundaries, created based on one or more shared characteristics.

Functional Region

An area organized around a node or focal point and defined by an activity occurring across the region.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A computer system that captures, stores, analyzes, and displays geographic data.

Globalization

The spread of businesses, products, people and ideas around the world.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

The system that determines the precise location of something on Earth using satellites and receivers.

Graduated Symbol Maps

Maps that use symbols of different sizes to indicate different amounts of something.

Isoline Maps

Maps that use lines that connect points of equal distance to depict variations in data.

Latitude

The distance of a place north or south of the Equator.

Locator Map

Illustrations used in books and advertising to show specific locations mentioned in the text.

Longitude

The distance of a place east or west of the Prime Meridian.

Map Projection

The process of showing a curved surface on a flat surface.

Map Scale

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

Mercator Projection

A map projection used primarily for navigation that accurately depicts direction.

Peters Projection

A map projection that accurately depicts the size of land masses while distorting their shape.

Physical Map

Maps that show natural features, such as mountains, rivers, and deserts.

Plat Map

Maps that show property lines and details of land ownership.

Political Map

Maps that show human-created boundaries and designations like countries, states, and cities.

Possibilism

The theory that environmental conditions can limit culture, but culture is primarily determined by social conditions.

Qualitative Data

Humanistic data that is collected through means such as interviews, surveys, or observation.

Quantitative Data

Data associated with mathematical models and statistical techniques that can be quantified in numbers.

Reference Maps

Maps designed for general information about places, including political, physical, and road maps.

Region

An area defined by one or more traits or characteristics that make it different from surrounding areas.

Relative Distance

Distance measured using metrics like time, effort, or cost.

Relative Location

The description of where something is in relation to something else.

Remote Sensing

The process of capturing images of Earth's surface from the air using satellites or planes.

Road Map

Maps that show highways, streets, and alleys.

Robinson Projection

A map projection that has no glaring distortion but slightly distorts area, shape, size, and direction.

Scale of Analysis

The level at which data in a map is displayed, which can be global, regional, national, or local.

Site

The physical character of a place, including its distinct physical features.

Situation

Where something is located relative to its surrounding features.

Sustainability

Use of Earth's resources in ways that ensure their availability for future generations.

Thematic Maps

Maps that show spatial aspects of information or a type of phenomenon.

Time-Space Compression

The reduction in time it takes to diffuse something to a distant place due to improved technologies.

Toponym

The name given to a place on Earth.

Vernacular Region

An area that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity.