Human Geography vocab cram

Human Geography

Explains spatial patterns and relationships of human activities, emphasizing location importance.

Cartography

The science of mapmaking that produces reference maps and thematic maps.

Spatial Patterns

Includes absolute and relative location, distance, direction, elevation, dispersal, and clustering.

Map Projections

Different ways of representing the Earth on a flat surface that affect shape, area, distance, and direction.

Geospatial Data

Information that relates to specific locations on Earth, can be quantitative or qualitative.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data, such as census data and income statistics.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive information, including interviews and visual observations.

Cultural Ecology

The study of the relationship between human culture and the environment.

Environmental Determinism

The idea that the environment shapes human behavior.

Possibilism

The concept that the environment limits but does not determine human actions.

Sense of Place

The unique human and physical characteristics contributing to emotional connections to locations.

Toponyms

Place names that reflect significant cultural or physical features.

Formal Regions

Regions defined by shared features such as climate or political boundaries.

Functional Regions

Regions organized around a central point, like a metropolitan area.

Perceptual Regions

Regions based on individual perceptions, which can vary widely.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of human activities across the globe.

Time-Space Compression

Phenomenon where technological advancements shrink perceived distances between places.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain.

Natural Increase Rate (NIR)

Calculated as births minus deaths.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

Number of births per 1,000 people.

Crude Death Rate (CDR)

Number of deaths per 1,000 people.

Demography

The statistical study of human populations.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

Number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

Population Pyramids

Visual representations of the age and sex distribution of a population.

Push Factors

Conditions that drive people away from their current location.

Pull Factors

Conditions that attract people to a new location.

Voluntary Migration

Migration that occurs by choice.

Forced Migration

Migration that occurs due to external pressures, such as conflict.

Assimilation

When a group fully adopts a new culture, losing their original cultural identity.

Acculturation

When an ethnic group adopts elements of a new culture while retaining aspects of their original culture.

Material Culture

Physical objects and artifacts that are part of a culture.

Non-Material Culture

Beliefs, values, and practices that are part of a culture.

Folk Culture

Culture that is characteristic of isolated, homogenous communities.

Popular Culture

Culture that is prevalent in large, heterogeneous societies.

Cultural Landscape

The visible imprint of human activity on the environment.

Diffusion of Culture

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.

Relocation Diffusion

The physical movement of people and their cultural traits to new locations.

Expansion Diffusion

The spread of a cultural trait from a central point.

Linguistic Diversity

The variety of languages spoken across different regions.

Lingua Franca

A common language used for communication between speakers of different native languages.

Ethnic Religions

Religions closely tied to specific ethnic groups.

Universalizing Religions

Religions that seek to appeal to a broad audience.

Supranationalism

When countries form alliances, giving up some sovereignty for collective decision-making.

Centripetal Forces

Forces that unify a state, fostering national identity.

Centrifugal Forces

Forces that divide a state, leading to conflict or fragmentation.

Agricultural Density

Number of farmers per unit of arable land.

Physiological Density

Number of people per unit of arable land.

Commercial Agriculture

Agriculture focused on producing food for sale.

Subsistence Agriculture

Agriculture aimed at feeding the farmer's family.

Market Gardening

Cultivation of fruits and vegetables for local markets.

Shifting Cultivation

Farming system that involves clearing fields for cultivation and then allowing them to lie fallow.

Urban Sprawl

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas.

Megacities

Cities with populations over 10 million.

Concentric Zone Model

A model that describes city growth in rings from the central business district.

Sector Model

A model describing city growth in sectors radiating from the central business district.

Multiple-Nuclei Model

A model suggesting cities grow around multiple nodes.

Gravity Model

A model explaining interaction between cities based on population size and distance.

Primary Sector

Involves natural resource extraction.

Secondary Sector

Focuses on manufacturing processes.

Tertiary Sector

Provides services.

Sustainable Development

Development that balances economic growth with environmental protection and social equity.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A measure of a country's average achievements in health, education, and income.

Gender Inequality Index (GII)

Measures disparities between men and women in areas like reproductive health and labor market participation.

Rostow's Stages of Economic Growth

A model outlining the five stages of economic development.

World System Theory

Categorizes countries into core, semi-periphery, and periphery based on economic development levels.

Dependency Theory

Highlights reliance of less developed countries on developed nations for resources.