Unit 1 APHUG

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering key geography concepts, maps, spatial relationships, diffusion, regions, GIS, and the Myanmar case study.

What is the difference between reference maps and thematic maps?

Reference maps show locations and geographic features; thematic maps emphasize a specific theme or data (e.g., population density).

What is absolute distance?

The exact, measurable distance between two points, in standard units such as kilometers or miles.

What is relative distance?

The perceived or contextual distance between places, often based on travel time or cost.

What is absolute direction?

A fixed direction measured with a compass or degrees (e.g., north, 45° NE).

What is relative direction?

Direction described in relation to another point or context (e.g., left of the river).

What is absolute location?

The exact position of a place on the Earth's surface, given by coordinates (latitude and longitude).

What is relative location?

A place's position in relation to other places.

What is density?

The number of a phenomenon per unit area (e.g., people per square kilometer).

What is an ecosystem?

A biological community of organisms interacting with their physical environment.

What is globalization?

The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of world economies, cultures, and populations.

What is clustering?

A pattern where objects or phenomena are grouped together in a space.

What is dispersal?

The spread of a feature or population from a central point to wider areas.

What is acculturation?

The process of cultural change resulting from contact between groups, often blending or adopting traits.

What are spatial relationships?

The connections, proximity, and interactions among places and features in space.

What is shape?

The external form or outline of a geographic feature.

What is area?

The size or extent of a region's surface.

What is elevation?

Height above a reference level, usually sea level.

What is satellite navigation system?

A system such as GPS used to determine precise locations.

What is remote sensing?

Collecting information about the Earth's surface from a distance using sensors on satellites or aircraft.

What is longitude?

The geographic coordinate measuring east–west position, typically expressed in degrees; lines run north–south.

What is map scale?

The ratio of a distance on the map to the corresponding ground distance.

What is site?

The physical characteristics of a place, including climate, topography, and resources.

What is sustainability?

The ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

What is online mapping and visualization?

Digital tools and platforms that enable viewing, analyzing, and sharing geographic data online.

What is census data?

Data collected about a population and its housing, used for demographic and spatial analysis.

What is assimilation?

The process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural traits of another society.

What is a region?

An area defined by a unifying characteristic or common functional ties.

What is a formal region?

An area defined by uniform characteristics, such as language, climate, or political boundaries.

What is a functional region?

An area organized around a node or center, defined by economic or social interactions.

What is time-space compression?

The idea that technology reduces the friction of distance, making places feel closer.

What is environmental determinism?

The belief that the physical environment shapes human culture and activities.

What is possibilism?

The view that the environment sets limits but humans can choose among many possible actions.

What is latitude?

The geographic coordinate measuring north-south position; lines run east-west.

What is scale of analysis?

The level at which geographers analyze data and phenomena (local, regional, national, global).

What is situation?

The location of a place relative to surrounding physical and human features; its connectivity.

What is GIS?

Geographic Information Systems, a system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and presenting geographic data.

What is distance decay?

The decreasing interaction between places as distance increases.

What is satellite imagery?

Images of the Earth collected by satellites used for analysis.

What is syncretism?

The blending of different cultural elements into a new fusion.

What is diffusion?

The process by which a feature or phenomenon spreads across space.

What is relocation diffusion?

The spread of a characteristic through the movement of people from one place to another.

What is perceptual/vernacular region?

Regions defined by people's perceptions and cultural identity (e.g., 'the South').

What is expansion diffusion?

The spread of a feature from a core to surrounding areas while remaining connected.

What is hierarchical diffusion?

The spread of a feature from larger to smaller places or centers to peripheries.

What is stimulus diffusion?

The spread of an underlying principle even if the exact trait is not adopted.

What is contagious diffusion?

The rapid spread of a feature through contact and proximity.