AP Human Geography Units 1-7 Cheat Sheet Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the seven units of the AP Human Geography curriculum, including key geographic theories, population metrics, and urban models.

Reference maps

Maps that show locations, such as political boundaries or roads.

Thematic maps

Maps that show patterns, including choropleth, dot, isoline, and cartogram types.

GIS

Layered digital mapping system.

GPS

Satellite-based location system.

Remote sensing

Gathering data via aerial or satellite imagery.

Absolute location

The exact location of a place, described by latitude/longitude or an address.

Relative location

A location described by its context or relationship to other features.

Place

The unique physical and human traits of a location.

Space

The distribution of features across an area.

Distance decay

The phenomenon where interaction decreases as distance increases.

Environmental determinism

The theory that the environment controls human behavior.

Possibilism

The theory that the environment sets limits, but humans have the ability to adapt.

Formal region

An area characterized by a uniform trait, such as the Corn Belt.

Functional region

An area organized around a node, such as a metropolitan area.

Perceptual region

An area defined by people's mental maps, such as 'the South'.

Arithmetic density

$$\frac{\text{pop}}{\text{total area}}$$

Physiological density

$$\frac{\text{pop}}{\text{arable land}}$$

NIR

Natural Increase Rate, calculated as $\frac{\text{CBR} - \text{CDR}}{10}\,\text{(\%)}$

TFR

Total Fertility Rate, or the average number of children per woman.

DTM Stage 2

Early transition phase with high birth rates, falling death rates, and rapid population growth.

DTM Stage 4

Post-industrial phase with low birth and death rates, resulting in low or zero growth.

Epidemiological transition

A shift in the cause of death from infectious diseases (stages 1–2) to chronic diseases (stages 3–4).

Ravenstein's Laws

Migration principles stating most move short distances, long-distance moves go to cities, and counterstreams form.

Brain drain

The loss of skilled workers who leave their country of origin.

Remittances

Money sent home by migrants to support the economy of their origin country.

Malthus's Theory

The idea that population grows geometrically while food grows arithmetically, leading to famine.

Refugees

People who are forced to migrate and cross international borders.

IDPs

Internally Displaced Persons who are forced to migrate but remain within their own country.

Cultural landscape

The visible human imprint on the land, including buildings, fields, and signs.

Folk culture

Local, traditional culture that changes slowly, such as the Amish.

Popular culture

Fast-changing culture that is widespread via media.

Cultural relativism

Judging a culture by its own standards.

Ethnocentrism

Judging another culture by the standards of one's own culture.

Relocation diffusion

The spread of an idea through the physical movement of people, such as Spanish to the Americas.

Hierarchical diffusion

A top-down spread of culture, such as fashion starting in big cities and moving to smaller ones.

Universalizing religions

Religions that seek converts, including Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.

Ethnic religions

Religions tied to a specific group of people or place, such as Hinduism and Judaism.

Lingua franca

A bridge language used for trade and diplomacy.

Acculturation

Adopting some traits of a dominant culture while keeping a distinct identity.

Assimilation

Being completely absorbed into a dominant culture.

Syncretism

The blending of two different cultures.

State

A defined territory with a government and sovereignty.

Nation

A group tied by shared culture and identity.

Nation-state

A state whose borders align with one specific nation, such as Japan.

Stateless nation

A cultural group that does not have its own state, such as the Kurds or Palestinians.

Superimposed boundary

A boundary forced upon an area by an outside power.

Devolution

The transfer of power from a central government to regional governments.

Centripetal forces

Forces that unify a state, such as a common language, religion, or national anthem.

Centrifugal forces

Forces that divide a state, such as ethnic conflict and inequality.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing electoral districts to provide a political advantage.

Shatterbelt

A region caught between rival global powers, such as the Middle East.

1st Ag Rev

The Neolithic revolution (~10,000 BCE) shifting from hunting and gathering to farming.

Green Rev

The 1960s–70s movement involving high-yield seeds and fertilizers to increase output in LDCs.

Subsistence agriculture

Growing crops primarily for family or local consumption, often using slash and burn techniques.

Pastoral nomadism

A form of subsistence agriculture based on herding animals and following resources.

Von Thünen Model

A model showing concentric rings around a market; perishable/heavy goods are located closest to the center.

Megacity

A city with a population of 10 million or more.

Bid-rent theory

The theory that land value decreases as distance from the CBD increases.

Gentrification

The process where wealthier residents renovate urban neighborhoods, often displacing low-income residents.

Edge cities

Suburban business centers, such as Tysons Corner.

Weber's least cost theory

A theory stating that factory locations are chosen to minimize transport and labor costs.

Primary sector

Economic activities involving the extraction of raw materials, such as farming and mining.

HDI

Human Development Index, which measures health, education, and income.

Wallerstein's world-systems

A model dividing the world into core (MDCs that exploit), semi-periphery, and periphery (exploited LDCs).

Rostow's stages

A linear, Western-biased development model including traditional, takeoff, and high mass consumption stages.