AP Human Geography Ultimate Guide (copy)

Space

The geometric surface of the Earth, where objects are defined by their location and distance from each other.

Activity space

The area wherein activity occurs on a daily basis.

Place

An area of bounded space with human importance, often assigned a name or toponym.

Regions

Categories of places, including formal, functional, and vernacular regions.

Sequent occupancy

The concept of succession of groups and cultural influences throughout a place’s history over time.

Scale

The relationship of an object or place to the Earth as a whole, including map scale and relative scale.

Formal region

An area with a homogeneous characteristic or uniformity, such as a common language.

Function region

Areas with a central node that expresses a practical purpose, like market areas.

Vernacular region

Regions based on residents' perception or collective mental map.

Absolute location

A point defined by coordinates such as latitude and longitude.

Relative location

The location of a place compared to a known geographic feature.

Distance decay

The principle that interaction decreases as distance from the origin increases.

Friction of distance

The hindrance to interaction due to the length of distance between two points.

Space-Time Compression

The decrease of time and relative distance between places due to advancements in technology.

Central Place Theory

A theory explaining cities' service areas and market relationships developed by Walter Christaller.

Bid-rent theory

A geographical economic theory that describes how land prices vary with distance from the CBD.

Gentrification

The process of economic reinvestment in existing neighborhoods, often displacing lower-income residents.

Dependency theory

The theory that LDCs are dependent on MDCs for economic growth and development.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A composite index measuring average achievement in key dimensions of human development such as life expectancy and education.

Rostow’s Stages of Growth

A model of economic growth that outlines five stages a country goes through to become industrialized.

Commodity chain

The network of production and distribution processes that contribute to delivering a product to consumers.

Peripheral model

A model representing decentralization of commercial urban landscape in post-industrial cities.

Urban sustainability

The capacity of an urban area to continue functioning successfully while considering environmental implications.

Agricultural density

The number of farmers per square unit of arable land.

Physiologic density

The number of people per square unit of arable land.

Friction of distance

The decrease in interaction as distance increases, affecting social and economic relationships.

Cultural hearth

A location where a culture originates and develops.

Caste system

A social stratification system in India where individuals remain in the caste they are born into.

First Agricultural Revolution

The transition from searching for food to domestication of plants and animals.

Second Agricultural Revolution

Occurred from 1700-1900, characterized by improvements in technology and productivity.

Third Agricultural Revolution

Technological advancements during the 20th century leading to increased agricultural production.

Green Revolution

A period of agricultural transformation characterized by high-yielding varieties of seeds and modern agricultural practices.

Quaternary sector

Economic sector that includes services such as finance, insurance, and real estate.

Quinary sector

Economic sector that includes government services, education, and health services.

Deindustrialization

The reduction of industrial activity in a region or economy, often leading to job loss.

Agglomeration economy

The benefits firms obtain by locating near each other, including access to a shared labor pool.

Localization economy

Reduced costs associated with the concentration of similar businesses in one area.

Just-in-time production

An inventory strategy that schedules materials to arrive exactly when needed in the production process.

Urban heat island effect

Urban areas that become significantly warmer than their surrounding rural areas due to human activities.

Ecotourism

Sustainable travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

Push and pull factors

Circumstances that drive people away from their homes (push) or attract them to new locations (pull).