Unit 1: Thinking Geographically (copy)

Space

The geometric surface of the Earth.

Activity Space

The area where activities occur on a daily basis.

Place

An area of bounded space of some human importance.

Toponym

A place-name assigned to a location recognized for human importance.

Regions

A type of place categorized into formal, functional, and vernacular regions.

Sequent Occupancy

The succession of groups and cultural influences throughout a place’s history.

Scale

The relationship of an object or place to the Earth as a whole.

Map Scale

Describes the ratio of distance on a map to distance in the real world.

Absolute Location

Defines a point using coordinates like latitude and longitude.

Relative Location

Refers to a place’s interrelatedness with other places.

Distance Decay

The principle that interaction decreases as distance increases.

Tobler’s Law

States that all places are interrelated, but closer places are more related than farther ones.

Friction of Distance

The inhibiting factor of interaction due to distance.

Space-Time Compression

The decrease in time and relative distance between places due to technology.

Central Places

Functional regions

Nodes of human activity frequently serving as centers of economic exchange.

Agglomeration

When clustering occurs purposefully around a central point or economic growth pole.

Arithmetic Density

Calculated as the number of things per square unit of distance.

Expansion Diffusion

Originates in a central place and expands outward in all directions.

Choropleth Map

A thematic map that expresses geographic variability using color variations.

Mental Map

The cognitive image or representation of a landscape in the human mind.

Equal-Area Projections

Attempt to maintain relative spatial size and areas on a map.

Gravity Model

A mathematical model used to calculate transportation flow and influence between locations.