AP Human Geography Vocabulary Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary flashcards designed to aid in the review of key terms and concepts for AP Human Geography.

accessibility

The degree of ease with which it is possible to reach a certain location from other locations.

physical geography

One of the two major divisions of systematic geography; focuses on the spatial analysis of natural phenomena such as climate, soil, and topography.

connectivity

The degree of direct linkage between one location and other locations in a transport network.

sequent occupance

The notion that successive societies leave their cultural imprints on a place.

spatial distribution

The physical location of geographic phenomena across space.

location theory

A logical attempt to explain the locational pattern of an economic activity and how its producing areas are interrelated.

medical geography

The study of health and disease within a geographic context.

spatial perspective

Observing variations in geographic phenomena across space.

human geography

One of the major divisions of geography; the spatial analysis of human population, its cultures, activities, and landscapes.

epidemic

A regional outbreak of a disease.

cultural landscape

The visible imprint of human activity and culture on the landscape.

sense of place

State of mind derived from infusing a place with meaning and emotion.

pattern

The design of a spatial distribution.

absolute location

The position of a certain item on the Earth's surface as expressed in degrees of latitude and longitude.

possibilism

Geographic viewpoint that holds human decision making, not the environment, as crucial in cultural development.

relocation diffusion

Sequential diffusion process where items are transmitted by their carrier agents as they move to new areas.

cultural hearth

Place of origin of a major culture.

contagious diffusion

The distance-controlled spreading of innovation through a local population.

formal region

A type of region marked by a certain degree of homogeneity in one or more phenomena.

relative location

The regional position of a place relative to the positions of other places.

cartography

The art and science of making maps.

cultural diffusion

The expansion and adoption of a cultural element from its place of origin.

thematic maps

Maps that tell stories, showing the degree of some attribute.

geographic information systems (GIS)

Collection of computer hardware and software for spatial data management.

population density

A measurement of the number of people per given unit of land.

natural increase

Population growth measured as the excess of live births over deaths.

migration

A change in residence intended to be permanent.

gravity model

A mathematical prediction of the interaction of places based on population size and distance.

chain migration

Pattern of migration that develops as migrants move along kinship links.