AP Human Geography Notes: Cultural Patterns, Landscapes, and Diffusion Processes

Time-space convergence

The greater interconnection and perceived shrinking of distance between places resulting from advancements in transportation and communication.

Cultural convergence

The process by which distinct societies become increasingly similar to each other and share more traits, ideas, and customs due to globalization.

Cultural divergence

The tendency for groups to remain distinct or develop differences over time due to geographic isolation, physical barriers, or resistance to outside influence.

Lingua franca

A common language mutually adopted for trade, business, and communication between groups who do not speak the same native tongue.

Language tree

A visual model depicting the historical descent, branching relationships, and evolution of related speech systems from common ancestors.

Indo-European language family

The largest collection of historically related tongues, comprising Germanic, Romance, and Slavic branches and spoken natively by nearly half the world.

Romance languages

A linguistic group including Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese that evolved from Latin after the decline of the Roman Empire.

Isogloss

A geographic boundary line delineating the area within which a specific linguistic feature, pronunciation, or word choice is commonly used.

Dialect

A regional variety of a language distinguished by distinctive vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation while remaining mutually intelligible with other varieties.

Toponym

The name given to a place or geographic feature on Earth, which often provides valuable clues about local history, settlement, or physical environment.

Official language

The speech variety designated by law to be used in governmental operations, legal records, and public documents.

Ethnic religion

A belief system tied directly to a particular cultural or ancestral group, whose members are mostly born into the faith and that does not actively proselytize.

Universalizing religion

A faith that actively seeks converts worldwide and welcomes all individuals regardless of background, ethnicity, or location.

Monotheism

The religious doctrine advocating belief in and devotion to a single, supreme deity.

Polytheism

The religious practice of honoring, believing in, or worshiping multiple distinct gods or deities.

Karma

The spiritual principle asserting that a person's intentional actions and conduct determine positive or negative consequences in their present and subsequent lives.

Caste system

A rigid, hereditary class structure historically practiced in South Asia that determines a person's social status and occupation.

Pilgrimage

A sacred journey undertaken by adherents to a holy site, revered shrine, or spiritually significant geographic feature.

Hinduism

An ancient South Asian tradition characterized by belief in karma, dharma, and reincarnation, with sacred reverence for waterways like the Ganges River.

Buddhism

A spiritual tradition originating in ancient South Asia based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, focusing on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to attain nirvana.

Sikhism

A monotheistic faith originating in the Punjab region founded by Guru Nanak, stressing social equality, selfless community service, and devotion to one creator.

Judaism

An ancient monotheistic faith rooted in Southwest Asia that follows the divine covenant and scriptures of the Torah, spread primarily through diaspora.

Christianity

A monotheistic faith based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which originated in Southwest Asia and diffused across the globe through missions and colonialism.

Islam

A universal monotheistic faith founded in the Arabian Peninsula by the prophet Muhammad, centered on the holy text of the Quran and guided by the Five Pillars.

Cultural homogenization

The reduction in local diversity and uniqueness as distinct societies adopt uniform global customs, consumer products, and landscape features.

Acculturation

The process where an immigrant or minority group adopts select traits from a host culture while still sustaining vital ancestral customs.

Assimilation

The complete absorption of an ethnic minority into a dominant population to the point where the minority group is no longer culturally distinct.

Syncretism

The blending or fusion of traits from two or more distinct cultures to create an entirely new hybrid cultural practice or tradition.

Glocalization

The process of adapting global products, business services, or cultural traits to fit the specific tastes and customs of local markets.

Multiculturalism

The societal framework and policy encouraging the peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and active preservation of multiple distinct cultural groups within a nation.

Nativist

Characterized by attitudes, political movements, or policies that favor native-born inhabitants over immigrants, often expressing anti-immigrant sentiment.