AP HUMAN FINALS STUDY GUIDE

Map Projection

A way to transfer the 3-dimensional Earth onto a 2-dimensional map to reduce distortion.

Time Space Convergence

Refers to the accelerated movement of goods, information, and ideas in the 20th century made possible by technologies like TV and the internet.

Population Density

The number of people within a given area.

Human-Environment Interaction

Describes how humans modify or adapt to the natural world.

Maternal Mortality Rate

Number of deaths during or shortly after childbirth (per 100,000).

Demographic Transition Model

Explains the relationship between population and a country's development, showing population change over time.

Physiologic Population Density

Measure of the number of people per unit of arable land.

Population Doubling Time

The time required for a population to double in size.

Total Fertility Rate

The average number of children a woman will have during her childbearing years (15-49).

Thomas Malthus

Theorized that population growth depends on food supply and agricultural methods, with insufficient food leading to mortality.

Guest Workers

Individuals with temporary permission to work in another country.

Distance Decay

The principle that interaction decreases as distance increases.

Ethnocentrism

Judging another culture based on the values of one’s own culture.

Step Migration

Migration to a distant destination in stages.

Intervening Opportunity

A nearer opportunity that reduces the appeal of farther destinations.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of ideas, innovations, cultural trends, or diseases.

Dialect

A regional or ethnic variation of a standard language.

Epidemiologic Transition

Population increase due to medical innovations reducing death rates.

Migration

Movement to a new locale involving permanence.

Time-Space Compression

Increased connectivity despite unchanged physical distances.

Environmental Determinism

The theory that the environment determines societal development.

Internal Migration

Migration within national boundaries.

Population Distribution

The pattern of people scattered across an area.

Population Pyramid

A visual representation of a population's age and sex structure.

Intervening Obstacle

An event or barrier that discourages migration.

Chain Migration

Migration where individuals follow family or friends to the same destination.

Asylum Seeker

A person seeking international protection but awaiting refugee status.

Expansion Diffusion

Cultural diffusion where an idea remains strong at its source and spreads outward.

Reference Maps

Maps showing landforms or places.

Absolute Direction

Finding a location using compass directions.

Place

Describes an area on Earth with distinguishing human and physical characteristics.

Census Data

The systematic collection of population information.

Regional Analysis

Examining regions at different scales—global, national, or local.

Replacement Fertility Level

The fertility rate (2.1) required to maintain a population size.

Possibilism

The theory that while the environment sets constraints, humans adapt creatively.

Political Map

A reference map showing political boundaries.

Absolute Distance

Measurement using standard units of length.

Satellite Navigation Systems

Systems of satellites providing geo-spatial positioning.

Relative Direction

Locating a place without compass directions.

Thematic Maps

Maps focusing on specific types of information or themes.

Carrying Capacity

The number of people an area can sustainably support.

Genocide

A deliberate effort to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Spatial Scale

The hierarchy of spaces at different levels of analysis.

Remote Sensing

Collecting data from instruments distant from the study area.

Cartogram

A thematic map that uses space transformation to show statistical data.

Arithmetic Population Density

The number of people per total land area.

Transnational Migration

Migration across national boundaries.

Mortality Rate

Number of deaths per 1,000 people in a population per year.

Dot Density Map

A thematic map using dots to show frequency or distribution.

Ethnic Cleansing

Efforts to rid a region of a particular ethnicity.

Life Expectancy

The average number of years a newborn is expected to live.

Syncretism

The blending of two distinct cultures to form a new cultural trait.

Buddhism

Religion founded by Siddartha Gautama in northern India with roots in Hinduism.

Cultural Convergence

When cultures become more alike due to increased interaction.

Dependency Ratio

The economic impact of non-working age groups on the working population.

Ester Boserup

Theorized that population pressure leads to innovations in food production.

Geospatial Technologies

Tools for collecting and analyzing geographic data.

Regionalism

A group’s identification with a specific region.

Agricultural Population Density

The number of farmers per unit of arable land.

Population Aging

Determined by birth rates, death rates, and life expectancy.

Gendered Spaces

Areas where certain gender expressions are welcome or unwelcome.

Culture Hearth

The origin of a culture or civilization and its spread.

Judaism

Religion founded by Abraham, the first monotheistic faith.

Spatial Pattern

The layout and organization of features on Earth’s surface.

Choropleth Map

A thematic map that uses shading or coloring to display data.

Movement

How people, goods, and ideas travel across spaces.

Formal Region

A region defined by a shared trait.

Relative Distance

Measurement of connectivity between places.

Functional Region

A region defined by specific activities or interactions.

Relocation Diffusion

When ideas or innovations spread through the movement of people.

Islam

Religion founded by Muhammad, centered on the belief in one God, Allah.

Cultural Divergence

Cultures separating to preserve their identity.

Stimulus Diffusion

Expansion diffusion where the original idea is adapted.

Cultural Relativism

Understanding other cultures without judgment.

Animism

The belief that inanimate objects possess spirits.

Acculturation

The adoption of cultural traits by one group, blending into another.

Sequent Occupance

The layering of cultural imprints over time in a specific area.

Ethnicity

A group of people with a shared cultural identity.

Contagious Diffusion

Diffusion where nearly all individuals are affected as it spreads.

Refugee

A person crossing national boundaries seeking safety.

Hierarchical Diffusion

Diffusion targeting specific groups or areas.

Sikhism

Religion blending elements of Islam and Hinduism, founded by Guru Nanak.

Ecumene

Habitable parts of the world.

Natural Increase

Birth rate minus death rate.

Infant Mortality Rate

Deaths of infants under one year per 1,000 live births.

Baby Boomers

Post-WWII population increase.

Globalization

Increased interconnectedness in economics, politics, and culture.

Birth Rate

Live births per 1,000 people in a population.

Emigration (Out Migration)

Movement out of a place.

Race

A historical classification of human populations based on physical traits.

Hinduism

The oldest religion, originating in India, centered on reincarnation.

Cultural Imperialism

Domination of one culture over another, often through colonization.

Transhumance

Seasonal movement of pastoralists and their livestock.

Perceptual/Vernacular Region

A region existing as an idea or perception.

Immigration

Movement into a place.

Regional Boundaries

Areas with overlapping, transitional, or contested boundaries.

Child Mortality Rate

Deaths of children aged 1-5 per 1,000.

Indigenous Communities

Original settlers of an area, distinct from colonizers.

Forced Migration

Migration against one’s will due to conflict, persecution, or disasters.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Technology for mapping and analyzing spatial data.