Key Concepts in Physical and Human Geography: Prime Meridian, Location, Regions, and GIS

Prime Meridian

The meridian at 0 degrees longitude, which divides the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Physical Geography

The branch of geography dealing with natural features and processes.

Situation

The location of a place relative to its surroundings.

Distance decay

The diminishing importance and eventual disappearance of a phenomenon with increasing distance from its origin.

Environmental Determinism

The theory that the physical environment, particularly climate and geography, shapes human behaviors and societal development.

Absolute Location

The exact position of a place on the Earth's surface, typically expressed in coordinates.

Possibilism

The theory that the environment sets certain constraints or limitations, but culture is otherwise determined by social conditions.

Latitude

The geographic coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the Earth's surface.

Relative Location

The position of a place in relation to other places.

Longitude

The geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface.

Human Geography

The branch of geography that deals with human activity and its relationship to the environment.

Site

The physical character of a place, including its location and the features of the landscape.

Time-Space Compression

The phenomenon of the world seeming smaller due to advancements in transportation and communication.

Regions

Areas that are defined by certain unifying characteristics.

Formal Region

An area defined by official boundaries or uniform characteristics.

Functional Region

An area organized around a node or focal point.

Node

A central point in a functional region.

Perceptual/Vernacular Region

An area defined by people's perceptions and feelings.

Scale of Analysis/Inquiry

The level of detail or scope used in analyzing a geographic phenomenon.

GIS

Geographic Information System, a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data.

GPS

Global Positioning System, a satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information.