APHG unit one

Spatial Perspective

A way of asking where something occurs, how it is arranged, and why it is there.

Spatial Pattern

The visible arrangement of people, objects, or activities across space (clustered, dispersed, linear).

Spatial Process

An action or force that creates or changes a spatial pattern (e.g., migration, trade, erosion).

Absolute Location

An exact position using a fixed coordinate system (e.g., latitude/longitude, street address).

Relative Location

A place described in relation to another place using distance, direction, or landmarks.

Site

The physical characteristics of the place itself (e.g., terrain, climate, water, soil, elevation).

Situation

A place's location compared with surrounding places and connections (e.g., nearby routes, markets).

Latitude

Measures distance north or south of the Equator (0° latitude); lines run east-west.

Longitude

Measures distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0° longitude); lines run north-south.

Map Scale

The relationship between distance on a map and distance on Earth.

Scale of Analysis

The geographic level at which data are grouped and studied (e.g., local, national, global).

Large-Scale Map

Shows a smaller area with more detail; has a smaller denominator (e.g., 1:12,000).

Small-Scale Map

Shows a larger area with less detail; has a larger denominator (e.g., 1:50,000,000).

Mercator Projection

Preserves local shape and compass direction, but greatly enlarges land near the poles.

Robinson Projection

A compromise projection that balances distortions of shape, area, distance, and direction.

Gall-Peters Projection

An equal-area projection that represents land sizes accurately, but stretches shapes near the poles.

Choropleth Map

A map that uses shaded areas or color ranges to represent rates, percentages, or density.

Dot-Density Map

Uses identical dots (where each dot equals a set amount) to show distribution and concentration.

Proportional-Symbol Map

Uses symbols of varying sizes to compare magnitudes at different locations.

Isoline Map

Uses lines connecting places of equal value (e.g., elevation, pressure, temperature).

Cartogram

Resizes geographic shapes or area sizes based on a statistical variable rather than land area.

Formal (Uniform) Region

An area unified by one or more shared, measurable characteristics throughout.

Functional (Nodal) Region

An area organized around a central node, hub, or focal point linked by movement or flows.

Perceptual (Vernacular) Region

An area defined by people's subjective beliefs, mental images, or shared identity.

Node / Focal Point

The central place that organizes movement, communication, or service in a functional region.

Hinterland

The surrounding area linked to and served by a central node.

Environmental Determinism

The belief that the physical environment controls or strongly dictates human actions.

Possibilism

The belief that the environment limits choices, but humans use technology to adapt and make choices.

Qualitative Data

Data that describes a quality, category, or characteristic (usually words or labels).

Quantitative Data

Data that measures an amount using numbers that can be counted or calculated.

Identify (FRQ Command)

Requires providing a correct name, label, or fact without detailed explanation.

Describe (FRQ Command)

Requires providing relevant characteristics, patterns, or key details.

Explain (FRQ Command)

Requires giving a clear cause-and-effect relationship showing how or why something occurs.