Unit 1 AP HUG

Geography

The study of where things are found on the Earth’s surface and the reasons for their location.

Map

A flat-scale 3-D model that shows the surface of Earth.

Cartography

The science of mapmaking.

Geographic Information Science (GIScience)

The analysis of data about Earth through satellite and other electronic information technologies to produce maps.

VGI (Volunteered Geographic Information)

Information created by everyday people.

Geotagging

Identification and storage of information based on precise location using latitude and longitude coordinates.

Equator

The line dividing the globe into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Prime Meridian

The line dividing the globe into Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Longitude

The angular distance East or West of the Prime Meridian.

Latitude

The angular distance North or South of the Equator.

Legend

A key that identifies symbols used on a map.

Scale

Measurements used for indicating distance on a map.

Projection

The scientific method of transferring locations on Earth's surface to a flat map.

Mercator Projection

A map projection that preserves shape and direction but distorts the size of land masses toward the poles.

Winkle Projection

A map projection that preserves the size of landmasses but results in more ocean space and appears smaller than on other maps.

Good Homolosine Projection

A map projection that reduces ocean space and emphasizes land masses but has interruptions that complicate navigation.

Galls-Peters Projection

A map projection that accurately depicts the relative size of land masses but distorts their shapes.

Isoline Map

A map that connects areas with similar values using lines.

Dot Distribution Map

A map that depicts data as points to show distribution and clustering.

Choropleth Map

A map where recognized areas are shaded or patterned based on a variable measurement.

Graduated Symbol Map

A map where symbols change size according to the value of a variable.

Cartogram Map

A map where the size of a country is proportional to a particular value rather than its actual land area.

Map Scale

The relationship between a feature's size on a map to its actual size on Earth.

Large Scale

Maps that show less area in greater detail, resulting in a smaller ratio.

Small Scale

Maps that show more area in less detail, resulting in a larger ratio.

Climate

Long-term average weather conditions of a location, categorized into five major groups.

Sustainability

The ability to maintain ecological balance, significant for understanding climate change.

Environmental Determinism

A theory that explains how geography shapes human development.

Possibilism

The idea that geography can limit human actions, but humans can adapt and alter their environment.

Density, Concentration, Pattern

Terms used to describe the distribution of objects in space.

Formal/Uniform Region

An area defined by common characteristics that are clearly distinguishable.

Function/Nodal Region

An area organized around a central point or node.

Vernacular/Perceptual Region

An area where people share a cultural identity.

Cultural Landscape

The combined features of culture, economy, and physical geography of the land.

Spatial Association

The relationship between two features within a cultural landscape, with stronger associations indicating similar distributions.