AP Human Geo - Unit 1

reference maps

general info about places (political, physical, road, plat)

thematic maps

spatial aspects of info/phenomenon (choropleth, dot distribution, graduated (proportional) symbol, isoline, cartogram)

choropleth map

uses colors or shades to show spatial data

dot distribution map

uses dots or symbols to show distribution of a phenomenon

graduated symbol/proportional

symbols of different sizes to show quantity

isoline map

uses lines to connect points of equal value

cartogram

disorts sizes of countries to show data (contiguous, non-contiguous, dorling)

contiguous cartogram

shapes are distorted

non-contiguous cartograms

shapes are not distorted

dorling cartograms

no shape just circles

map/cartographic scale

ratio between distance on map and distance in real life

cartography

practice of drawing maps

mercator projection

pros: navigation and direction / cons: size of areas is distorted near poles

robinson projection

pros: no major distortion / cons: area, shape, size, and direction are all slightly disorted

absolute distance

measured in feet or miles

relative distance

degree of distance using time or money

spatial data

all info that can be tied to specific locations

geographic information system (GIS)

system that stores, analyzes, and displays geospatial/geographic data

remote sensing

cameras or sensors mounted on air crafts/satellites to capture earth’s surface

absolute location

the precise spot according to a system

geographic positioning system (GPS)

uses satellites to determine and record location of places.

distance decay

effect of distance on interactions between two things

time-space compression

reduction of time from one thing to go from point A to B due to advancements in communication and transportation

environmental determinism

belief that the physical environment determines where people live

possibilism

humans decide where they can live and can overcome environmental limitations

region

geographic area that is defined by shared characteristics (formal/uniform, functional, perceptual/vernacular)

formal/uniform region

united by political, physical, cultural, or/and economic traits

functional/nodal regions

united by networks of communication and other interactions around a focal point

perceptual/vernacular region

informal sense of place that people ascribe to them

site

characteristics at immediate location (climate, soil type)

situation

location relative to its surroundings and its connectivity

geographic/relative scale

area of world being studied

scale of analysis

scale of data being presented

sustainability

meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future gens to meet their needs