AP HUG Maps

Reference maps

show general locations and features.

-political maps

physical maps

-road maps

Thematic maps

Display data tied to a specific topic or theme

-Catogram

Why are maps distorted

Shape: land masses might look stretched or squished

Size (Area): countries appear too big or small

Distance: may not reflect true space between locations

Direction: compass direction may be off

Mercator map

• Accurate: shape, direction

• Distorted: size, especially near poles (ex: Greenland looks giant)

• Great for navigation

Peters map projection

• Accurate: relative size

• Distorted: shape

• Focuses on area equality between countries

Robinson Projection

• "Compromise projection" — balances distortions

• Visually appealing and often used for world maps

• Distorts everything slightly but nothing drastically

Remote sensing

The use of cameras or other sensors mounted on aircraft or satellites to collect digital images of the Earth’s surface.

GIS: Geographic Information System

Computer system that can store, analyze, and display information from multiple digital maps or geospatial data sets. Layers data to show patterns/relationships.

GPS: Global positioning system

Receivers on earth’s surface use the location of multiple satellites to determine the receivers exact location.

Toponym

The name given to a place on Earth

Site

The physical characters of a place

Situation

The location of a place relative to other places.

Cultural landscape

How a region derives its unified character.

Formal region

An area in which everyone shares ion a common one or more distinctive characteristics. Ex: Boundaries, common language, and common climate.

Functional Region (Nodal Region)

An area organized around a node or focal point and diminishes in important outward Ex: Newspaper.

Vernacular Region (Perceptual Region)

An area that people believes exists as part of their cultural identity.

Scale

The relationship between the portion of the Earth being studied and being studied as a whole.

Diffusion

People, ideas, and objects move via connections.

Relocation Diffusion

Something spreads because people move and carry it with them.

Ex: A family brings their religion with them when the migrate or a new place.

Expansion Diffusion

Idea spreads outward from its origin and grows.

People don’t move the idea does.

Hierarchical diffusion

Spreads from top-down (influential people or places to others).

Ex: Fashion or makeup trends from famous celebrities.

Contagious diffusion

Spreads rapidly and widely—like a wave. All groups affected equally.

Ex: Memes, TikTok trends, or a virus.

Distance Decay

The farther away someone is from you, the less likely you are two are to interact.

Time Space Conversion

The shrinking of time distance because of transportation and communication.

Environmental determinism

Old theory: Nature determines how people live.

Example: Harsh environments = less advancement (problematic idea today).

Rejected for being too simplistic and sometimes biased.

Possibilism

Current accepted theory: Environment sets limits, but humans shape their choices.

People can adapt using technology, creativity, and effort.

Example: Oil-rich deserts transformed into high-tech cities like Dubai.

Absolute Location

The fixed, exact spot of something using coordinates (latitude + longitude).

Doesn’t change.

Ex: Eiffel tower

Relative Location

Where something is in relation to other things around it. Can change depending on what it's compared to.

Ex: Library next to fire station.

Chain migration

Immigrants follow family or friends to a new country.