Geography and Cultural Patterns Review

A collection of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on geography, population, culture, political organization, agriculture, industrialization, and urbanization.

Geography

The study of places, the relationships between people and their environments, and the spatial interpretation of human behaviors.

Physical Geography

The branch of geography concerned with natural phenomena.

Human Geography

The branch of geography that focuses on human activities and their relationships.

Location

The position of something on Earth.

Place

The physical and human characteristics that make a location unique.

Region

An area defined by similar characteristics, which may be formal, functional, or vernacular.

Scale

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

Space

The physical gap or interval between two objects.

Maps

Visual representations of geographical areas.

GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

Software that analyzes spatial data.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

Technology that determines precise locations.

Remote Sensing

Acquiring information about the Earth's surface through satellites.

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

A model that describes population change over time transitioning from high birth and death rates to lower rates.

Population Pyramids

Graphical representations showing the age and sex distribution of a population.

Push Factors

Conditions that drive people away from their homes.

Pull Factors

Conditions that attract people to new areas.

Urbanization

The increasing population in urban areas and its effects.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural items from one culture to another.

Globalization

The process by which businesses develop international influence.

Ethnicity

Socially defined categories based on shared culture, language, or nationality.

Folk Culture

Traditional culture, often rural and community-focused.

Popular Culture

Urban, mass-produced cultural elements.

Nation-states

Political entities characterized by defined territory, population, government, and recognition.

Territoriality

The connection of people, their culture, and their economic systems to a specific geographic area.

Forms of Government

Systems that enforce policies and maintain order.

Agricultural Revolutions

Significant changes in agricultural practices that impacted society.

Subsistence Agriculture

Farming for direct consumption by the farmer's family.

Commercial Agriculture

Farming for sale in the marketplace.

Industrial Revolution

Transition to new manufacturing processes leading to urbanization.

Economic Sectors

Categories of economic activity: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary.

Urban Sustainability

Challenges and solutions to improve conditions in cities.

Climate Change

Understanding geographic perspectives on climate change impacts.