AP HUG Vocab

Centripetal force

A force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, directed towards the center around which the object is moving.

Centrifugal force

An apparent force that acts outward on a body moving around a center, arising from the body's inertia.

Cultural landscape

The visible imprint of human activity on the landscape.

Diffusion

The process by which a feature or trend spreads from one place to another over time.

Ebonics

A dialect primarily spoken by African Americans, often characterized by unique grammatical structures.

Ethnicity

A shared cultural heritage or identity based on common ancestry or cultural traits.

Functional region

A region based around a central point, typically operational for a certain process, such as a metropolitan area.

Geocaching

An outdoor recreational activity involving treasure hunting using GPS coordinates.

Identity

The qualities, beliefs, and personality of an individual or group.

Land use

The management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another, often in search of better living conditions.

Perceptual region

A region defined by the feelings and images people carry in their minds.

Sustainability

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

Urbanization

The increasing number of people that live in urban areas, resulting in the growth of cities.

Ravenstein's Laws of Migration

A set of laws describing migration patterns, influencing various aspects such as distance and reasons for moving.

Thomas Malthus

An economist known for his theory on population growth and its potential to outpace food supply.

Demographic transition model

A model that describes the transition of a country from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as it develops.

Dependency ratio

A measure of the number of dependents, old and young, that each working-age person must support.

Agricultural revolution

The period when societies transitioned from hunting and gathering to farming, significantly impacting population and settlement patterns.

Centrifugal force

An apparent force that acts outward on a body moving around a center, arising from the body's inertia.

Cultural landscape

The visible imprint of human activity on the landscape.

Diffusion

The process by which a feature or trend spreads from one place to another over time.

Ebonics

A dialect primarily spoken by African Americans, often characterized by unique grammatical structures.

Ethnicity

A shared cultural heritage or identity based on common ancestry or cultural traits.

Functional region

A region based around a central point, typically operational for a certain process, such as a metropolitan area.

Geocaching

An outdoor recreational activity involving treasure hunting using GPS coordinates.

Identity

The qualities, beliefs, and personality of an individual or group.

Land use

The management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment.

Migration

The movement of people from one place to another, often in search of better living conditions.

Perceptual region

A region defined by the feelings and images people carry in their minds.

Sustainability

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

Urbanization

The increasing number of people that live in urban areas, resulting in the growth of cities.

Ravenstein's Laws of Migration

A set of laws describing migration patterns, influencing various aspects such as distance and reasons for moving.

Thomas Malthus

An economist known for his theory on population growth and its potential to outpace food supply.

Demographic transition model

A model that describes the transition of a country from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as it develops.

Dependency ratio

A measure of the number of dependents, old and young, that each working-age person must support.

Agricultural revolution

The period when societies transitioned from hunting and gathering to farming, significantly impacting population and settlement patterns.

Acid rain

Precipitation that carries acidic components, detrimental to the environment.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Cultural diffusion

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

Gentrification

The process of renovating and improving a house or district so that it conforms to middle-class taste.

Greenbelt

A policy and land use designation to contain urban sprawl and protect the environment.

Heartland theory

A geopolitical hypothesis by Halford Mackinder that suggests that the control of the 'Heartland' (Central Asia) is key to global dominance.

Intensive subsistence farming

A form of agriculture involving the cultivation of small landholdings with high labor input.

Landscape ecology

The study of the relationship between spatial variation in landscape and ecological processes.

Natural hazard

Natural events that cause significant damage to life and property.

Permeable surfaces

Surfaces that allow water to pass through, reducing runoff and pollution.

Rural-urban migration

The movement of people from countryside to city, often for economic opportunities.

Site and situation

Site refers to the physical characteristics of a location, while situation refers to its location relative to surrounding features.

Smart growth

An urban planning theory that promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly growth practices.

Suburbanization

The process of population movement from within cities to the suburbs.

Transnational migration

Migration that occurs across international borders and how it connects countries.

World systems theory

A perspective that focuses on the world as a complex system of interrelated economic processes.

Zone of transition

An area between two different land uses, characterized by mixed types of development and social challenges.

Environmental determinism

The belief that the physical environment, particularly climate and terrain, actively shapes cultures.

Geographic information system (GIS)

A computer-based system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and managing spatial data.

Urban heat island effect

An urban area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities.

Colonialism

The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Globalization

The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.

Rural depopulation

The decline in population in rural areas, often due to migration to urban centers.

Urban-rural fringe

The transition zone between urban and rural areas, often experiencing both character types.

Civic engagement

Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.

Polygamy

A marriage practice in which an individual has more than one spouse simultaneously.

Social stratification

A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy.

Folk culture

Cultural traditions that are practiced by small, homogeneous, rural groups living in relative isolation.

Popular culture

Cultural practices and beliefs that are prevalent in mainstream society.

Ethnic enclave

A geographic area with a high concentration of a specific ethnic group.

Insurgency

An organized rebellion aimed at overthrowing a constituted government through the use of subversion and armed conflict.

Subculture

A cultural group within a larger culture that has distinct values and behaviors.

Intervening obstacle

Any forces or factors that may hinder human migration.

Equity

The quality of being fair and impartial in distribution of resources and opportunities.

Net migration rate

The difference between the number of immigrants and the number of emigrants in a given area.

Civic nationalism

Nationalism based on shared citizenship and equal rights, regardless of ethnicity or race.

Human development index (HDI)

A composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and income indicators used to rank countries.

Social movement

A group action focused on a specific goal, aiming to promote or resist change.

Nation-state

A political entity characterized by a defined territory, a permanent population, and a government.

Rural-urban fringe

The area of transition from the predominantly rural area to an urban area.

Series of megacities

A phenomenon where large cities dominate urbanization, often characterized by overpopulation.

New urbanism

An urban design movement promoting walkable neighborhoods with a diverse range of housing and jobs.

Population pyramid

A graphical representation of the age and sex distribution of a population.

Edge city

A term used to describe a new concentration of business in suburbs.

Coastal zone management

A process of managing the use of coastal resources to minimize environmental impact.

Post-industrial economy

An economy that has transitioned from manufacturing to service-oriented industries.

Multiculturalism

The presence and acceptance of multiple cultural traditions within a single jurisdiction.

Cultural homogenization

The process whereby local cultures are transformed or absorbed by a dominant culture.

Environmental sustainability

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

Transportation infrastructure

The physical networks that support the movement of people and goods.

Clustering of industries

The concentration of interconnected businesses, suppliers, and associated institutions in a particular field.

World city

A city that has significant influence on global affairs, often characterized by political, economic, and cultural power.

Civic infrastructure

The underlying framework of supported public facilities, social services, and community development.

Food desert

An urban area in which it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food.

Urban ecology

The study of the relationship between living organisms and their urban environment.

Transnational networks

Structures connecting individuals across national borders, typically for economic, cultural, or political purposes.

Knowledge economy

An economy in which growth is dependent on the quantity, quality, and accessibility of the information available.

Spatial inequality

The unequal distribution of various resources and services across different areas.

Cultural imperialism

The practice of promoting the culture or language of one nation in another.

Quality of life

The general well-being of individuals and societies, outlining negative and positive features.

Smart cities

Urban areas that use different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect data.

Urban sprawl

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas.

Sustainable agriculture

Farming practices that meet current food needs without compromising future generations.