Key Concepts in Human Geography: Diffusion, Maps, and Regions

absolute direction

Directions based on cardinal points (north, south, east, west).

absolute distance

The exact measurement of space between two points.

absolute location

The exact spot of a place on Earth, usually given in latitude and longitude.

activity space

The area where a person's daily activities occur.

aerial photography

Photos of Earth taken from planes, drones, or satellites.

border zone

An area where two places meet and blend.

cartogram

A map that distorts size to show data (like population).

cartographer

A person who makes maps.

census

A count of a population, usually including details like age and income.

choropleth map

A map that uses colors or shading to show data.

compass rose

A symbol on a map that shows directions.

contagious diffusion

The rapid spread of an idea or trait through close contact.

contested boundaries

Borders that different groups disagree about.

cultural ecology

The study of how humans interact with their environment.

cultural landscape

The visible impact of human activity on the environment.

culture

Shared beliefs, traditions, and practices of a group.

data aggregation

Combining data from smaller areas into larger ones for analysis.

diffusion

The spread of ideas, goods, or traits across space.

dot density or dot distribution map

A map that uses dots to show where something is located.

ecology

The study of relationships between living things and their environment.

ecosystem

A community of living things interacting with their environment.

elevation

The height of a place above sea level.

environmental determinism

The idea that the environment shapes human behavior.

environmental perception

How people think about and understand their environment.

expansion diffusion

When an idea spreads outward while still staying strong at its origin.

fieldwork

Research done by collecting data directly in the field.

formal region

An area with clearly defined boundaries and shared traits.

friction of distance

The idea that distance makes interaction harder.

functional region

A region organized around a central point or activity.

gender

Social and cultural differences between males and females.

geographic information system (GIS)

Computer system that stores, analyzes, and displays geographic data.

geographic processes

Natural or human activities that shape places and regions.

global citizen

Someone who sees themselves as part of the world community.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A satellite system used to find exact location.

global scale

Looking at issues or patterns across the whole world.

globalization

The process of the world becoming more connected through trade, culture, and communication.

glocal perspective

Seeing local issues as part of larger global processes.

Goode homolosine projection

A map projection that reduces shape and size distortion, often called an "interrupted" map.

greenhouse effect

The warming of Earth caused by gases trapping heat in the atmosphere.

greenhouse gases

Gases like CO₂ that trap heat in the atmosphere.

hierarchical diffusion

The spread of ideas from important people or places to others.

human geography

The study of how humans shape and are shaped by Earth's surface.

independent invention

When the same idea develops in different places without contact.

infrastructure

Basic systems like transportation, communication, and utilities that support society.

interdependence

When places or people rely on each other.

isoline

A line on a map that connects places with the same value (like temperature).

latitude (lines)

Lines that measure distance north or south of the Equator.

legend

The part of a map that explains symbols and colors.

local-scale analysis

Studying patterns in a small area, like a city or neighborhood.

longitude (lines)

Lines that measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.

map

A flat representation of Earth's surface.

map projection

A way to show the 3D Earth on a flat surface.

map scale

The ratio of distance on a map to distance in real life.

map symbols

Icons or graphics on a map that represent things.

mental map

A map in someone's mind based on their knowledge and experiences.

Mercator projection

A map projection that keeps shape but distorts size, especially near the poles.

metropolitan area

A large city and its surrounding communities.

national-scale analysis

Studying patterns within one country.

natural hazard

A natural event that can cause damage, like earthquakes or floods.

natural resources

Materials from nature that people use.

nodes

Central points in a network, like cities in trade routes.

nonrenewable resources

Resources that cannot be replaced quickly, like oil or coal.

perceptual/vernacular region

A region defined by people's beliefs or feelings, not exact borders.

Peters projection

A map projection that shows land sizes more accurately but distorts shapes.

place

A specific location with unique characteristics.

polar projection

A map projection centered on the poles.

possibilism

The idea that people can adapt to their environment and are not limited by it.

prime meridian

The line at 0° longitude that divides east and west.

proportional or graduated circle map

A map with circles sized according to data values.

reference map

A map showing general information like boundaries, cities, and roads.

region

An area defined by shared characteristics.

regional analysis

Studying patterns within a specific region.

regional identity

A sense of belonging to a particular region.

regional-scale analysis

Looking at patterns within a region, larger than local but smaller than global.

relative direction

Directions based on people's perception (left, right, near, far).

relative location

Where a place is in relation to other places.

relocation diffusion

When people move and bring their ideas or traits with them.

remote sensing

Collecting data about Earth from satellites or aircraft.

renewable resources

Resources that can be replaced naturally, like sunlight or trees.

reverse hierarchical diffusion

The spread of ideas from smaller or less important places to larger ones.

Robinson projection

A map projection that balances size and shape but slightly distorts both.

satellite imagery

Pictures of Earth taken from satellites.

scale

The level of detail or the size of area being studied.

sense of place

The feelings and meanings people attach to a location.

site

The physical features of a location.

spatial patterns

The arrangement of things on Earth's surface.

spatial perspective

Looking at how something is arranged across space.

stimulus diffusion

When an idea spreads but changes as it moves.

sustainability

Using resources in ways that protect them for the future.

thematic map

A map that shows specific information or data.

time-distance decay

The idea that the farther apart things are, the less likely they are to interact.

time-space compression

The idea that technology makes places feel closer together.

topographic map

A map showing elevation and physical features.

tsunami

A large sea wave caused by underwater earthquakes or eruptions.