AP HUMAN EXAM PREP!1!

Unit 1: Thinking Geographically (8-10% of the Exam)

1. Why do geographers study relationships and patterns among and between places?

2. How do geographers use maps to help them discover patterns and relationships in the world?

3. How do geographers use a spatial perspective to analyze complex issues and relationships?

Reference Maps

Maps that show the absolute location of places and geographic features determined by a frame of reference, typically latitude and longitude

Thematic Maps/Special Purpose Maps

Show such specific topics as population density or distribution of world religions as well as physical, social, economic, political, agricultural, or economic features

absolute distance

The distance that can be measured with a standard unit length, such as a mile or kilometer.

absolute location

Exact location of a place on the earth described by global coordinates

relative distance

Distance measured in terms such as cost or time which are more meaningful for the space relationship in question

relative location

where a place is located in relation to another place

Clustering

growing or situated in a group

dispersal

Movement of individuals away from centers of high population density or their area of origin.

Elevation

The height of land above sea level

Shape distortion

misrepresentation by unequal magnification of the actual shape of the structure being examined

Area Distortion

The distortion of an area; inaccurate to the actual area; bigger or small, thinner or wider

Distance Distortion

Distance between two points may be longer or shorter than in reality

Direction distortion

direction from one place to another is distorted

Geospatial Technologies

technology that provides geographic data that is used for personal (navigation), business (marketing), and governmental (environmental planning) purposes

GIS (geographic information system)

A computer system that stores, organizes, analyzes, and displays geographic data.

satellite navigation system

a device used to plot the user's position on a map, using GPS technology to obtain the location

remote sensing

A method of collecting data or information through the use of instruments that are physically distant from the area or object of study.

Online mapping and visualization

compilation and publication of web sites that provide graphical and text information in the form of maps/visuals e.g. homicide statistics

field observation

the act of physically visiting a location, place, or region and recording, firsthand, information there

Travel Narrative

Writings that describe either the author's journey to a distant and alien place, or writings which discuss the customs, habits and wildlife of a distant place. Ex: "Oroonoko" and "Gullilver's Travels"

policy documents

specifies the rules, guidelines and regulations that an organization requires employees to follow

personal interview

direct, face-to-face conversation between an interviewer and the respondent

Landscape Analysis

using field observation, spatial data, and aerial photography to gather data to define and describe landscapes

Photographic Interpretation

The act of examining photographic images for the purpose of identifying objects and judging their significance

census data

systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population

satellite imagery

Images generated at intervals from satellites orbiting the Earth. Can show visible, infrared, shortwave infrared or water vapor images.

Personal Decision Making

the right of a citizen to know and participate in a decision situation when decisions about valued-concerns are being made that affect the welfare (taken broadly) of those people and places they live in

Business and Organizational Decision-Making

an interest in participatory decision making is growing in importance as more and more people with concerns about environmental, land use, natural resource, and

transportation issues believe that those who are impacted by decisions should be a part of the

process

Governmental Decision-Making

National governments use geographic information system (GIS) technology to manage programs and evaluate policy outcomes. With GIS, agency staff and leaders integrate diverse types of data to derive understanding, operationalize solutions, communicate insights, and engage stakeholders and the public.

spatial relationships

specifies how some object is located in space in relation to some reference object

space

The physical gap or interval between two objects

place

A specific point on Earth distinguished by a particular character.

flows

have the character of aggregated individual horizontal flows, mobilities and contacts of persons, goods, finances and information

Distance Decay

the effects of distance on interaction, generally the greater the distance the less interaction

time-space compression

the rapid innovation of communication and transportation technologies associated with globalization that transforms the way people think about space and time

pattern

The geometric or regular arrangement of something in a study area.

Sustainability

meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

natural resources

Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain

land use

Various ways humans use the land such as agricultural, industrial, residential, or recreational

environmental determinism

A doctrine that claims that cultural traits are formed and controlled by environmental conditions.

Possibilism

The theory that the physical environment may set limits on human actions, but people have the ability to adjust to the physical environment and choose a course of action from many alternatives.

global scale

the level of geography that encompasses the entire world as a single unified area

regional scale

Interactions occurring within a region, in a regional setting.

National scale

as viewed across the whole country

local scale

the level of geography that describes the space where an individual lives or works; a city, town, or rural area

Scales of Analysis

the study of a phenomena globally, regionally, or locally

patterns and processes at different scales

reveal variations in, and different interpretations of, data

region

An area distinguished by a unique combination of trends or features.

formal region

An area in which everyone shares in one or more distinctive characteristics

Functional Region

An area organized around a node or focal point

Perceptual Region (Vernacular)

how people think about or perceive a region (ex. "the middle east")

Transitional Boundaries

boundary line that separates nations that form social distinctions and divided political areas

Contested Boundaries

Boundaries that are disputed for religious, political, or cultural reasons

Overlapping regional boundaries

one local authority may be functionally located within the sphere of influence of two regional groupings

Regional Analysis at a Local Scale

City with supermarkets highlighted

Regional Analysis at a National Scale

A Country color coded based on religion

Regional Analysis at a Global Scale

World Map of COVID-19 Cases by variant

Unit 2: Population and Migration Patterns and Processes (12-17% of the Exam)

1. How does where and how people live impact

global cultural, political, and economic patterns?

2. How does the interplay of environmental, economic, cultural, and political factors influence changes in population?

3. How do changes in population affect a place's economy, culture, and politics?

physical factors

Earth's natural features

climate

the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.

Landforms

Features that make up the earth's surface such as a plain, mountain, or valley.

water bodies

any significant accumulation of water on the surface of Earth or another planet.

human factors

A scientific discipline concerned with understanding how humans interact with the Earth's surface

Culture

Beliefs, customs, and traditions of a specific group of people.

Economics

The study of how people seek to satisfy their needs and wants by making choices

history

written and other recorded events of people

Politics

the effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government

distribution of population

arrangement of locations on the earth's surface where people live

Arithmetic Density

The total number of people divided by the total land area.

Physiological Density

The number of people per unit of area of arable land, which is land suitable for agriculture.

Agricultural Density

The ratio of the number of farmers to the total amount of land suitable for agriculture

population pressure

the stress brought about by an excessive population density and its consequences

How Population Distribution and Density Affects Political Processes

More laws are needed; Large cities hold the power; Redistricting required

How Population Distribution and Density Affects Economic Processes

More jobs are needed; Poverty increases; There is a higher tax base

How Population Distribution and Density Affects Social Processes

More crime is a result; More health/human services are needed; There is greater diversity of language & culture

carrying capacity

Largest number of individuals of a population that a environment can support

age structure

Percentage of the population (or number of people of each sex) at each age level in a population.

sex ratio

the ratio of males to females in a population

Population Pyramid

A bar graph that represents the distribution of population by age and sex

Slow growth population pyramid

smaller percentage of population at younger ages, flat at bottom; rectangular in shape

Rapid Growth Population Pyramid

wide base; few older people; large percentage of population entering reproductive years; triangular in shape

negative growth population pyramid

base much smaller than middle; shrinking population; • more expensive to have children, women are more educated and have paying jobs; ALSO: countries in which there is uncertainty (war, struggling economy, etc.); upside down triangle in shape

fertility

The number of births that occur to an individual woman or in a population per 1,000 in the population per year

mortality

the number of deaths in a population per 1,000 in one year

Migration

movement of people from one place to another

rate of natural increase

derived by subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate; increases or decreases due to migration are not included

population doubling time

The number of years it takes a population to double; calculated by dividing the number 72 by the rate of natural increase

Social, Cultural, Political, And Economic Factors Influences on Fertility

the marriage system, the family system, religious systems, regional subculture, norms concerning desired family size, and other fertility norms such as astrology and breastfeeding

Social, Cultural, Political, And Economic Factors Influences on Mortality

income, education, employment, community safety, and social supports can significantly affect how well and how long we live

Social, Cultural, Political, And Economic Factors Influences on Migration

age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, employment etc. affect migration

Demographic Transition Model

A sequence of demographic changes in which a country moves from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates through time.

Stage one of the demographic transition model

Low-Growth Stage