AP Human Geography Unit 1 Vocab

Physical geography

One of the two major branches of geography. It studies the natural features of earth, as well as earth's natural processes. It includes the study of mountains, geology, weather, climate, and much more.

Human geography

A branch of geography dealing with how human activity affects or is influenced by the earth's surface.

Quantitative data

Relies on numbers and mathematical models. “Quantitative” means measures using numerical facts, subjective.

Qualitative data

Descriptive information, usually in the form of text. It tells you about features (quality) and mostly involves an intuitive process. Commonly used to formulate theories and hypotheses.

Small-scale map

These maps have a scale ratio in which the ratio of units on the map to units on the earth is quite small. They usually depict large areas. (ie. 1:1,100,000)

Large-scale map

These maps have a relatively small ratio between map units and ground units. They usually have higher resolution and cover much smaller regions than small-scale maps.(ie 5,000)

GPS

Is commonly used to determine an individual's exact location (absolute location) on Earth and navigation.

GIS

A computer system for capturing, storing, checking, and displaying data related to positions on Earth's surface. (layers)

Absolute location

An exact 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).

Region

Any area that is differentiated from surrounding areas by at least one characteristic. It does not exist until the boundaries are defined.

Relative location

Refers to the position of a place or entity based on its location with respect to other locations. Unlike absolute location, it is not a fixed reference. It will therefore change based on the secondary location.

Site

The physical character of place; what is found at the location and why it is significant. It is the exact location of a city, you can find it on a map

Situation

Relates to its surrounding features, both human-made and natural. The location of a place on Earth relative to other places (good for unfamiliar places through reference to familiar ones).

Toponym

Places on Earth are given a ____ , which is another word for name, but is specific to locations; the name given to a place on Earth.

Perceptual region

Areas defined by perception and feelings, rather than based on objective geographic characteristics. Ex. “The South”

Functional region

This is also called a nodal region because it is defined by a social or economic function that occurs between a node or focal point and the surrounding areas.

Formal region

An area that is defined by one predominant or universal characteristic throughout its entire area. They have well-defined boundaries.

Possiblism

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.

Distance decay

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

Cultural landscape

Cultural attributes of an area often used to describe a place.