Geographic Data and Maps

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to geographic data and maps, including types of data, projections, and spatial patterns.

Spatial Patterns

Ways in which phenomena are located and arranged in geographic space.

Absolute Distance

An exact measure of the separation between two points.

Relative Distance

A measure of social, cultural, or political differences between locations.

Absolute Direction

Indicates exact cardinal directions like north, south, east, and west.

Relative Direction

Describes the location of one thing in relation to another thing.

Elevation

Measures the height of geographic features relative to sea level.

Reference Maps

Maps that display specific geographic locations, such as road or political maps.

Large Scale Map

A map that is zoomed in on a particular feature with larger details.

Small Scale Map

A map that is zoomed out on a national or global level with smaller details.

Thematic Maps

Maps that display geographic information on themes, such as demographic data.

Choropleth Map

A thematic map that visualizes data using varying colors.

Cartograms

Distorted maps that focus on representing differences in data, such as population.

Mercator Projection

A projection that maintains true directions but distorts size, especially near the poles.

Peters Projection

A projection that accurately depicts landmass sizes but distorts their shapes.

Polar Projection

Views the world from the poles, maintaining true direction but distorting other areas.

Robinson Projection

A compromise projection that spreads distortions equally across the map.

Quantitative Data

Data that is numerical and based on counts.

Qualitative Data

Data that is descriptive, based on observations and language.

Geospatial Technologies

Technologies that examine and measure geographical features.

GPS (Global Positioning Systems)

24/7 satellite monitoring system used for locating positions on Earth.

GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

Software used to manipulate geospatial data for research and problem-solving.

Remote Sensing

Method of data collection through satellite imaging for geographic information.

Field Observations

Physical visits to locations for firsthand data collection.

Absolute Location

Precise geographical coordinates of a specific place.

Relative Location

A location determined by distance or time from other locations.

Distance Decay

The principle that the further apart two entities are, the less connected they will be.

Time Space Compression

The concept that technological advances decrease time or cost between locations.

Sustainability

The study of how humans can minimize their impact on non-renewable resources.

Human Environmental Interaction

The study of how humans affect and are affected by their environment.

Formal Region

A region linked by common traits, such as language or economic conditions.

Functional Region

A region defined by shared functions or purposes, rather than shared traits.

Perceptual Region

Regions defined by people's beliefs and feelings, such as cultural identity.

Scale of Analysis

The perspective from which data is analyzed, differing by size of data sets.