AP Human Geography Vocabulary Review

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms and definitions related to AP Human Geography, focusing on geography, globalization, mapping, ecological concepts, and population statistics.

Geography

The study of Earth's surface and the processes that shape it.

Globalization

The development of international influence.

Sustainability

Practices that meet needs without compromising future generations.

Absolute Distance

Exact and precise measurement of distance.

Relative Distance

The spatial interactions and connections between different locations.

Spatial Perspective

Understanding how space is used and the reasons behind events in geographical contexts.

Time Distance Decay

The principle that near things are more related than distant things.

Topographic Map

A map that shows natural or physical features of a landscape.

Reference Map

A map that shows geographic locations.

Thematic Map

A map that shows spatial patterns or information regarding a specific attribute.

Choropleth Map

A type of thematic map that shows data aggregated for specific geographical areas, often using colors.

Cartogram

A map that distorts geographic shape to represent the size of a specific variable.

Peters Projection

An equal area projection that shows landmasses with their true areas but distorts shapes.

Robinson's Projection

A visually appealing map projection that slightly distorts all aspects for aesthetic purposes.

Geographic Data

Information identifying the locations of features on Earth's surface.

Latitude

Horizontal lines indicating degrees of distance north or south of the equator.

Longitude

Vertical lines indicating degrees of distance east or west from the Prime Meridian.

GPS

Global Positioning System; provides data about one's current absolute location.

GIS

Geographical Information System; software for capturing, storing, and displaying geographic data.

Remote Sensing

The scanning of Earth by satellites to obtain information.

Aerial Photography

The process of taking highly detailed images from aircraft or drones.

Census

An official count or survey of a population.

Cultural Landscapes

The built forms that cultural groups create in a geographical space.

Time-Space Compression

The phenomenon where technological advancements decrease the perceived distance between places.

Diffusion

The spread of a phenomenon from one location to another over space and time.

Contagious Diffusion

Wavelike spread of ideas within a population.

Expansion Diffusion

The process where ideas spread throughout a population.

Hierarchical Diffusion

The spread of ideas from one important figure or center to another.

Stimulus Diffusion

When a specific trait is rejected but the underlying idea is accepted.

Relocation Diffusion

The process where individuals migrate and bring their ideas to new locations.

Ecology

The study of complex relationships among living organisms and their physical environment.

Cultural Ecology

The study of interactions between societies and their local environments.

Ecosystem

A bound system of interactions between humans and their environment.

Environmental Perception

How geographers analyze human use of land and perceptions of nature.

Possibilism

The theory that the physical environment can offer possibilities for societal development.

Population Density

The average number of people living per unit of land.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

The average number of births per year per 1,000 people.

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The average number of children born per woman of childbearing age (15-49).

Crude Death Rate (CDR)

The average number of deaths per 1,000 people.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

The number of infant deaths within the first year of life per 1,000 live births.