Ultimate AP Human Study Guide

Quantitative Data:

Involves numerical values and statistics, objective and measurable

Qualitative Data:

Involves reasons and opinions, subjective, experiential measurability, gathered through questionnaires and polls

GPS

Global Positioning System, collection of about 24 satellites, helps with navigation, cotributes to loss of maps around the world

GIS

Geographic Information System, layers data, stores/displays information, more accurate than regular maps

What is remote sensing?

The act of gathering information about the Earth’s surface from a distance, can maps changes over time,

What types of industries can use remote sensing?

Shipping, fishing, real estate, governments looking to construct infrastructure

What are some non-tech methods of gathering data?

Census, field work, interviews, observations, personal investigations, attendence at cultural events, photographs, films

Describe census data

Takes place every ten years, instituted by the constitution, can be from national to neighborhood scale, takes stock of demographic information, more than just US populations

What are food deserts?

Areas where individuals don’t have access to healthy food, where individuals have median incomes and often no car,

What are the three types of map scale?

Fraction, written, bar

Fraction scale

As numbers get bigger, area covered is smaller

Scale through bar graph:

Increase scale allows for more detail

What is the point of scale of analysis?

Tells the numerical difference (relationship) between distances on a map and distances in real life

What is a mental (cognitive) map?

a picture one has in their head which they can use to orient themselves

What do physical maps do?

Shows natural features of an area such as rivers, oceans, deserts, and other types of significant geography.

What do physical maps do?

cities, states, countries, counties

What are thematic maps?

display a specific physical, social, political, cultural, economic, sociological, agricultural theme in a specific geographic area

What’s another word for a thematic map?

A specific purpose map

Isoline maps

also known as contour maps, revealed by lines connecting areas of equal value, Iso is also Greek for equal.

Topographic maps

a type of Isoline map, which is used to display elevation, The closer the contours, the steeper the angles.

Dot maps

dot density map, or dot distribution map, which shows the presence of a feature or phenomenon. Can be used for diseases, population, all of which show spatial patterns

Choropleth maps

 utilizes colours and shapes to show patterns, examples being population density maps, level of income maps, and education levels.

Graduated symbol maps

changes the size of a symbol to exemplify quantities in states. The symbol can vary.

Cartogram maps

changes the size of an area to reflect the quantity of something.

flow line maps

a combination of flow chart and map, which utilizes lines to show anything that moves (traffic, migration, disease). 

Past usage of maps:

A way to identify an object's absolute and relative location

Modern usage of maps:

 We utilize GPS rather than relying on general knowledge of location. Therefore, we now use maps for understanding where events took place, as well as understanding facts about a place (human activities, physical features). For example: Average income in different neighborhoods, such as in the job of a vendor, shop-owner, or real estate agent.

How can maps be deceptive:

Are simplified versions of reality, bias, different orientations, incomplete, outdated

What are map projections

Different methods of transferring the round earth to a flat paper

A map projection that has accurate longitudinal and latitudinal lines at right angles, yet distorts sizes

Mercator Projection