AP Human Geography Ultimate Guide (copy)

Space

The geometric surface of the Earth.

Activity Space

The area where daily activities occur.

Place

A bounded area of human importance.

Toponym

A place-name assigned to a location.

Scale

Relationship of an object or place to the Earth.

Sequent Occupancy

Succession of cultural influences in a place's history.

Formal Regions

Areas with homogeneous characteristics.

Functional Regions

Areas with a central node serving a purpose.

Vernacular Regions

Regions based on residents' perception.

Absolute Location

Defines a point using coordinates.

Relative Location

Location compared to a known place.

Distance Decay

Interaction decreases with distance.

Friction of Distance

Inhibits interaction between points.

Space-Time Compression

Decreased time and distance between places.

Central Place Theory

Analysis of city locations and economic exchange.

Core and Periphery

Relationships in regional phenomena.

Diffusion Patterns

Ways in which phenomena spread spatially.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Computer programs for spatial analysis.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Network of satellites for location.

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

Theory of population changes over time.

Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs)

Countries that have experienced rapid industrialization and economic growth, transitioning from primarily agricultural to manufacturing-based economies.

Epidemiological Transition Model (ETM)

A model that explains the changing population patterns in societies as they develop, particularly focusing on the shifts in birth and death rates due to medical advancements.

Stage-By-Stage Development

The sequential progression of societies through different stages characterized by specific demographic and economic features.

S-Curve of Population

A graphical representation showing the growth, stabilization, and decline of a population in relation to the carrying capacity of its environment.

Zero Population Growth (ZPG)

A state where birth rates equal death rates, resulting in no net increase in the population size.

Malthusian Theory

A theory proposing that population growth will outpace food production, leading to a crisis unless population control measures are implemented.

Population Pyramids

Visual representations of a population's age and gender distribution, providing insights into the demographic structure of a region.

Cultural Synthesis (Syncretism)

The blending of different cultural influences to create a new, unique cultural expression.

Postmodern Architecture

Architectural style characterized by unconventional designs, abandoning traditional rectilinear shapes for more organic and innovative structures.

Major Language Families

Broad groupings of languages sharing common ancestry, such as Indo-European, Sino-Tibetan, Niger-Congo, Afro-Asiatic, and Austronesian.

Dravidian

A language family spoken by 230 million people in and around the Indian subcontinent.

Anatolian theory

A theory suggesting that migrants from the Indian subcontinent moved to present-day Turkey before spreading into Europe.

Folk music

Original music specific to a culture, often incorporating unique instruments and cultural stories.

Bluegrass

A popular folk music type originating in Kentucky, influencing country and rock music.

Continental cuisine

Formal food traditions from mainland Europe, including haute cuisine and traditional dishes.

Five Pillars of Islam

Core principles guiding moral behavior for Muslims, including daily prayers and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Caste System

Social hierarchy in India with five main castes, including Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Dalits.

Theocracy

A form of government where religious leaders hold senior positions, as seen in Iran.

Folklore

Stories and histories specific to a culture, often defining ethical foundations and societal histories.

Race

Physical characteristics defining common genetic heritage, categorized into Mongoloid, Caucasoid, and Negroid groups.

Lebensraum

The living space for each distinct nation based on optimal physical geography of the culture group.

Neo-Nazism

Based on violent racism against non-whites and immigrants or violent expression of xenophobia.

Ethnocentrism

The belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group and the inferiority of others.

Cultural relativism

The idea that beliefs and activities are understood in the context of one's culture.

Internal identity

Expressing cultural heritage to those sharing the same background.

External identity

Expressing cultural heritage to those from different backgrounds.

Culture regions

Bounded spaces with homogeneous cultural characteristics.

Fuzzy borders

Cultural regions with unclear boundaries.

Cultural hearth

Localized area where cultures originate or have main population centers.

Acculturation

Adapting to a new culture while retaining aspects of the original.

Assimilation

Complete change in identity as a minority culture merges with the majority.

Cultural survival

Efforts to protect and promote indigenous cultures.

Genocide

Large-scale systematic killing of people from one ethnic group.

Country

Identifiable land area.

Nation

Population with a single culture.

State

Population under a single government with sovereign territory.

Nation-state

Single culture under a single government.

Sovereignty

State's independence from outside control with international recognition.

Federal states

Provide military protection, administer foreign diplomacy, and regulate trade.

Supranationalism

Two or more sovereign states aligned for a common purpose.

Boundary Process

The process of claiming, negotiating, or capturing borders.

Delimitation Process

Placing borders on the map.

Demarcation Process

Placing markers on the ground to show where borders lie.

Physical Border

Natural boundaries like rivers, mountains, or deserts.

Cultural Border

Estimated boundaries between nations, ethnic groups, or tribes.

Geometric Border

Boundaries surveyed along lines of latitude and longitude.

Definitional Dispute

Interpretation differences in border treaties.

Locational Dispute

Border movement due to natural changes like rivers shifting.

Operational Dispute

Issues with passage across agreed borders.

Allocational Dispute

Disputes over resources lying across borders.

Frontier

Open and undefined territory.

Tyranny of the Map

Imposition of boundaries not matching cultural boundaries.

State Morphology

Impact of a country's shape on society and external relations.

Compact State

Shape without irregularity like Nigeria.

Fragmented State

Broken into pieces like the Philippines.

Elongated State

Stretched-out shape like Chile.

Prorupt State

State with a panhandle or peninsula like Italy.

Perforated State

State with holes like South Africa.

Landlocked State

State with no sea or ocean borders like Switzerland.

Territorial Change

Alteration of state territory through annexation or decolonization.

Capitals

Seat of government in a state.

Suffrage

Voting rights based on age, race, and gender.

Gerrymandering

Irregularly shaped districts for political advantage.

Feudalism

Political economy with aristocracy controlling land and wealth.

Absolute Monarchy

Supreme aristocrat as head of state and government.

Constitutional Monarchy

Supreme aristocrat as head of state with elected parliament leader.

Commonwealth of Nations

Independent former British Empire parts with the British monarch as head of state.

Free-Market Democracies

Countries with elected-representative parliamentary systems.

Separation of Powers

Division of executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Marxist-Socialism

Political-economic theories aiming to address feudalism and capitalism inequalities.

Heartland-Rimland model

Defines global geopolitical landscape and potential conflict areas

Primary commodity of conflict

Resource countries fight over

Shatterbelt theory

Proposed by Saul Cohen in 1950

Pivot Area

Modified concept from Mackinder's Heartland

Buffer states

Surround hostile countries to protect them

Containment

Strategic policy proposed by George Kennan in 1947

Terrorism

Planned violent attacks to cause fear and policy change

State terrorism

Governments using violence to control their people

Primary economy

Includes timber, fisheries, minerals, and energy

Intensive agriculture

Requires lots of labor or focuses on small plots