human geography chapter 1

Diffusion

Spread of ideas, objects, inventions, and other practices from place to place.

Expansion diffusion

the spread outward from a core area that contains the idea or cultural practice. It can occur through person-to-person contact or through a hierarchy.

Formal regions

A region defined by homogeneity, or sameness, in one or more characteristics.

Functional regions

A region defined by a central node or focal point to which other places in the region are connected.

Geography

"writing about the Earth"

International

Date Line A line that roughly follows 180° longitude and separates one calendar day from the next.

Latitude

The numbering system for parallels; measures distance north or south of the Equator.

Longitude

The numbering system for meridians; measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

Meridians

half circles connecting north/south poles

Parallels

Circles parallel to equator

Possibilism

People can adapt to environmental conditions and choose from many alternatives despite environmental limitations.

Prime

Meridian 0° longitude; passes through Greenwich, England.

Projection

The process of transferring locations from the Earth's curved surface to a flat map.

Region

An area that shares some type of common characteristic that binds the area into a whole.

Relocation

diffusion The diffusion process in which people migrate or move to a new area and bring their ideas, objects, and practices with them.

Remote

sensing The acquisition of data about the Earth's surface from aerial platforms such as satellites, airplanes, or drones.

Scale

The ratio of distance on a map to the actual distance on Earth; can also refer to the spatial extent of a phenomenon.

Site

to describe a location by its physical characteristics, ex: topography, vegetation, and climate.

Situation

to describe a location by r the surrounding area; also called relative location.

longitude and latitude

absolute location

site and situation location

not absolute (because it can change)

geography question

"what is where and why"

map projections

depict curved surface of Earth on a flat surface

Distortion in projections

size, shape,distance, and direction

projection example

Mercator projection

scale

ratio of length on map vs. distance on Earth (actual)large scale maps

large scale maps

more detail than small scale maps

time changes

move east or west

time zones

based on meridians

GIS

Computer system that stores, analyzes, and displays geographic data

types of diffusion

expansion and relocation

Environmental determinism

physical environment shapes culture

Globalization

process where business, cultures, and economies become interconnected on a global scale