AP Human Geography Vocabulary

absolute location

position on Earth's surface using the coordinate system of longitude (that runs from North to South Pole) and latitude (that runs parallel to the equator)

census data

a process of collecting, compiling, and publishing data about the population and housing of a country or region. Done by government. In USA done every 10 years

Clustering

when objects in an area are close together. Example: Housing

Distance decay

the name of the theory that states that as the distance between two places increases, the interaction between those two places decreases

distortion

the alteration of the original shape (or other characteristic) of an object, image, sound, waveform or other form of information or representation. Think maps

Formal region

An area defined by one predominant or universal characteristic throughout its entire area.

Functional region

An area organized around a central focal point or node. AKA Nodal Region

Geographer

an expert in the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these.

Geographic information systems (GIS)

a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth's surface

Map projection

a method used to represent the Earth's three-dimensional, curved surface onto a two-dimensional plane

Perceptual region

An area that people believe exist as part of their cultural identity

Region

Any area differentiated from surrounding areas by at least one characteristic

Possibilism

The theory that the physical environment may set limits on human actions, but people have the ability to adjust to the physical environment and choose a course of action from many alternatives

Relative distance

a type of measurement used in geography to describe the social, cultural, economic, and political relationships between two or more communities

Relative location

A type of measurement used to describe general directions.

Remote sensing

the process of taking pictures of the Earth's surface from satellites (or, earlier, airplanes) to provide a greater understanding of the Earth's geography over large distances

Satellite navigation systems

Satellite-based system for determining the absolute location of places or geographic features

Scale of analysis

the relative size of the map or lens we choose to use to observe geographical phenomena

Sustainability

the use of Earth's resources in ways that ensure their availability in the future

Thematic map

maps that tell a story about a place. These maps display the same geographical or political data shown on general maps as a base layer but then map some physical, economic, or cultural phenomenon or top of that base layer.

Global positioning system (GPS)

This system uses data from satellites to pin-point a location on earth and help people find their way to a destination

Time-Space Compression

the increasing sense of connectivity that seems to be bringing people closer together even though their distances are the same

Choropleth Maps

kind of map in which areas are shaded in proportion to the variable being displayed on the map.

Reference Map

maps that show where something is in space. Their purpose is to display geographical data and directions

Dot density/dot distribution maps

uses a point symbol to visualize the geographic distribution of a large number of related phenomena.

Infrastructure

essential for the functioning and growth of cities. It includes the physical systems, facilities, and services that support the daily lives of people and businesses in an urban area