AP HUG: Unit 1- Thinking Geographically

cartographic scale

the way the map communicates the ratio of its size to the size it represents.

small-scale map

show a larger amount of area with less detail.

large-scale map

show a smaller amount of area with a greater amount of detail.

absolute location

the precise spot where something is according to a system.

relative location

a description of where something is in relation to other things

distribution

the way a phenomenon is spread out over an area to describe patterns

patterns

general arrangements of things in the distribution of phenomena that reveals clues about their coauses or effects including, clustered/agglomerated and dispersed patterns.

map projection

process of showing a curved surface on a flat surface

map projection: mercator

a map projection that keeps shape and direction accurate but distorts size, especially near the poles (used for navigation).

map projection: Robinson

a map projection that balances shape, size, and distance, creating a more visually accurate world map by slightly distorting all aspects.

remote sensing

gathers information from satellites that orbit the earth or other craft above the atmosphere

Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

a satellite-based system that provides precise location, navigation, and time information anywhere on earth

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

a computer-based too that stores, analyzes, and displays spatial data to identify patterns and relationships.

spatial approach

considers the arrangement of the phenomena being studied across the surface of the earth

place

the specific human and physical characteristics of a location

site

the characteristics at the immediate location

situation

the location of a place relative to its surroundings and its connectivity to other places

time-space compression (theory)

The shrinking "time-distance", or relative distance, between locations because of improved methods of transportation and communication.

distance decay (theory)

when things are farther apart, they tend to be less connected.

friction of distance (theory)

the inherent costs (time, effort,money) and barriers that make interaction more difficult over greater distance, leading to distance decay. (cause)

Toponym

place names that could provide insights into the physical geography, the history, or culture of the location.

Human Environment Interaction

the connection between humans and the natural world.

Sustainability

trying to use resources now in ways that allow their use in the future while minimizing negative imapcts on the environment.

built environment

the physical artifacts that humans have created and that form part of the landscape, in their understanding of land use

environmental determinism (theory)

the belief that landforms and climate primarily shape human behaivor and societal development, ignoring cultural influences.

Possibilism (Theory)

a view that acknowledges limits on the effects of the natural environment and focuses more on the role that human culture plays.

scale of analysis ( global, world regional, national, and local)

the geographic scale including global, world regional, national, and local at which data is examined

regions

they have boundaries, unifying characteristics, cover space, and are created by people

formal region

sometimes called uniform regions, or homogenous regions, are united by one or more traits.

Functional Region

also called a nodal region, is an area organized around a node or focal point and defined by political, social, or economic activities, linked through communication, transportaion, etc.

perceptual/vernacular region

defined by the informal sense of place that people ascribe to them