APHUG - Unit 1, 2, 3 and 4

Thematic Map

Emphasizes a specific theme or variable, such as population density or climate.

Cartogram

Distorts land size based on a particular data value (e.g., population size).

Choropleth Map

Uses different shades or colors to show the variation of a variable across space.

Dot Map

Uses dots to represent a specific quantity; more dots = greater value.

Graduated Symbol Map

Uses different-sized symbols to show varying amounts of a variable.

Isoline Map

Uses lines to connect points of equal value (e.g., elevation, temperature).

Absolute Location

A fixed location described by latitude and longitude (e.g., 40°N, 75°W).

Relative Location

Describes a place in relation to other locations (e.g., "north of the mall").

Absolute Distance

Quantitative measurement of distance (e.g., miles or kilometers).

Relative Distance

Qualitative description of distance (e.g., "30 minutes away").

Spatial Pattern - Uniform

Evenly spaced distribution of objects.

Spatial Pattern - Clustering

Objects grouped closely together.

Spatial Pattern - Dispersed

Objects spread far apart from each other.

Map Projection

Method used to transfer Earth's 3D surface to a flat map, always with some distortion.

Mercator Projection

Preserves direction; distorts size near the poles.

Robinson Projection

Minimizes distortion; considered a compromise map.

Peters Projection

Equal-area projection; distorts shape to preserve land area.

Polar Projection

Shows distances from the poles accurately; distorts land shapes near edges.

GIS (Geographic Information System)

Collects, stores, analyzes, and displays geographically referenced data.

Remote Sensing

Collecting data about Earth without physical contact, usually via satellite or aircraft.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

Satellite system used to determine exact location on Earth.

Field Observation

Observing physical and cultural landscapes directly.

Media Report

Information gathered from media sources to understand human-environment interactions.

Travel Narrative

Firsthand accounts describing a place and its features.

Policy Document

Official statements outlining government actions, regulations, and land use.

Personal Interview

A source of qualitative data from individuals about places and patterns.

Landscape Analysis

The study of how humans shape the physical landscape.

Photographic Interpretation

Analyzing images to understand land use, settlement patterns, and physical features.

Geospatial Data

Data tied to specific geographic coordinates (e.g., satellite imagery).

Vector Data

Geographic data using points, lines, and polygons.

Raster Data

Pixel-based data, often used for images like satellite photos.

Absolute Space

A measurable, fixed area like a city block or room.

Relative Space

A space defined by human interactions, perceptions, or relations.

Time-Space Compression

Reduction in time it takes for something to reach another place due to technology.

Distance Decay

Interaction decreases as distance increases.

Place

A unique location with physical and cultural attributes.

Scale of Analysis

The level (local, regional, national, global) at which a geographic phenomenon is examined.

Large Scale Map

Shows a small area in great detail.

Small Scale Map

Shows a large area with less detail.

Formal Region

Defined by common characteristics like language, religion, or physical features.

Functional Region

Organized around a central node or function (e.g., a city and its metro system).

Perceptual Region

Defined by people's beliefs or feelings (e.g., "the South" in the U.S.).Population Distribution

Arithmetic Density

Total number of people divided by total land area.

Physiological Density

Number of people per unit of arable (farmable) land.

Agricultural Density

Number of farmers per unit of arable land.

Population Cluster

A region where large numbers of people are concentrated (e.g., East Asia, South Asia).

Carrying Capacity

Maximum number of people an environment can sustainably support.

Population Pyramid

A bar graph showing a place’s age and gender composition.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

Number of births per 1,000 people per year.

Crude Death Rate (CDR)

Number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.

Rate of Natural Increase (RNI)

Percentage of population growth (CBR - CDR) ÷ 10.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

Average number of children a woman will have in her lifetime.

Doubling Time

Number of years it would take for a population to double, calculated as 71 ÷ RNI.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

Number of infant deaths (under age 1) per 1,000 live births.

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

Explains population change over time in five stages based on birth/death rates.

Stage 1 DTM

High birth and death rates; very slow population growth.

Stage 2 DTM

High birth rate, rapidly declining death rate; rapid population growth.

Stage 3 DTM

Falling birth and death rates; moderate growth.

Stage 4 DTM

Low birth and death rates; stable or slow growth.

Stage 5 DTM

Very low birth rate, low death rate; population decline.

Epidemiological Transition Model

Describes changes in causes of death as countries develop (from infectious to chronic diseases).

Malthusian Theory

Theory that population grows faster than food supply, leading to famine and poverty.

Neo-Malthusians

Modern supporters of Malthus who emphasize environmental limits and advocate population control.

Population Policies

Government actions to influence population size (e.g., pro-natalist or anti-natalist).

Pro-Natalist Policy

Encourages higher birth rates (e.g., France, Japan).

Anti-Natalist Policy

Aims to reduce birth rates (e.g., China’s One-Child Policy).

Eugenic Policy

Population policy favoring one racial or ethnic group over others.

Dependency Ratio

Number of dependents (under 15 and over 65) compared to the working-age population.

Aging Population

A population with a high proportion of elderly individuals; leads to social and economic challenges.

Migration

Permanent or semi-permanent relocation of people.

Push Factors

Negative conditions that drive people to leave an area (e.g., war, famine, lack of jobs).

Pull Factors

Positive conditions that attract people to a new area (e.g., jobs, stability, freedom).

Voluntary Migration

Migration based on individual choice.

Forced Migration

Migration compelled by conflict, disaster, or persecution.

Asylum Seeker

A person seeking protection in another country from danger or persecution at home.

Refugee

A person forced to flee their country due to violence, persecution, or disaster.

Internally Displaced Person (IDP)

Someone forced to leave their home but who remains within their country’s borders.

Emigration

Movement out of a country.

Immigration

Movement into a country.

Brain Drain

Loss of educated or skilled workers due to emigration.

Remittances

Money sent by migrants to family members in their home country.

Transnationalism

Immigrants maintaining ties to both their home and host countries.

Ravenstein’s Laws of Migration

General principles of human migration patterns; e.g., most migrants move short distances and are young adults.Culture

Cultural Trait

A single element of culture, such as food preference, language, or clothing.

Cultural Landscape

The visible imprint of human activity on the landscape (e.g., buildings, roads, signs).

Sequent Occupancy

The idea that successive societies leave their cultural imprints on a place.

Cultural Relativism

The principle of understanding other cultures on their own terms without judging them.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture is superior to others.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of the world’s people, places, and institutions.

Homogenization Thesis

Globalization causes cultures to become more alike.

Placelessness

The loss of unique cultural identity in a place due to globalization.

Americanization

The spread of American culture across the globe.

Neolocalism

A renewed interest in preserving the uniqueness of a place.

Language

A system of communication using symbols with agreed meanings.

Language Family

A group of related languages derived from a common ancestral language.

Indo-European Language Family

The largest language family, including English, Spanish, Hindi.

Sino-Tibetan Language Family

Includes Mandarin Chinese; largest number of native speakers.

Afro-Asiatic Language Family

Includes Arabic and Hebrew.

Niger-Congo Language Family

Has the highest number of languages (e.g., Yoruba, Zulu).

Lingua Franca

A language used for communication between people who don’t share a native language (e.g., English).