AP Human Geography Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in AP Human Geography, aiding in study and retention.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and managing data and associated attributes spatially referenced to Earth.

GPS

Global Positioning System; a system utilizing satellites to determine location, speed, direction, and time.

Projection

The system used to transfer locations from Earth's surface to a flat map.

Mercator projection

A cylindrical map projection created by Gerardus Mercator in 1569, used for nautical purposes.

Region

An area that shares similar characteristics, with a unified character from a cultural landscape.

Formal regions

Regions defined by official boundaries and shared characteristics, like Montana.

Functional (nodal) regions

Regions defined by a specific function, such as the circulation area of a newspaper.

Vernacular (perceptual) regions

Regions defined by people's perceptions, such as the American South.

Diffusion

The spread of some phenomenon over space and through time from a limited number of origin points.

Relocation Diffusion

The process where items being diffused leave the original area behind as they move to new areas.

Expansion Diffusion

A process in which the items being diffused remain and often intensify in the origin area as new areas are affected.

Contagious Effect

The diffusion of a disease, cultural trait, idea, or innovation that spreads outward from a node in a wave-like fashion.

Hierarchical Effect

The diffusion occurring from larger to smaller places, skipping nearby smaller places.

Stimulus Diffusion

When one people receives a cultural element from another but gives it a new form.

Globalization

A process where regional economies, societies, and cultures become integrated through a global network of communication and trade.

Demographic momentum

The continued population growth after fertility rates have declined to replacement levels.

Pro-natalist

An attitude or policy that encourages childbearing.

Anti-natalist

An approach concerned with limiting population growth.

Push Factors

Negative conditions and perceptions that induce people to leave their home and migrate to a new location.

Pull Factors

Positive conditions and perceptions that attract people to new locations from other areas.

Cyclic Movement

Movement away from home for a short period.

Periodic Movement

Movement away from home for a longer period.

Local culture

A group in a particular place that sees itself as a community and works to preserve its customs and traits.

Popular culture

A large, heterogeneous population, typically urban, with rapidly changing culture.

Environmental Determinism

The belief that the physical environment shapes human behaviors and cultures.

Possibilism

The theory that the physical environment may limit human actions, but people can adjust and choose from multiple alternatives.

Lingua franca

A language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.

Core

Countries or regions that exploit peripheral areas for resources and development.

Periphery

Low-tech and low-wage countries that provide raw materials to core countries.

Semi-periphery

Countries that are in the middle of the development spectrum, exhibiting characteristics of both core and peripheral countries.

Urban Sprawl

Unrestricted growth in urban areas concerning housing, commercial development, and roads.

Just in time delivery

An inventory management method that minimizes costs by receiving goods only as they are needed.