AP Human Geography: Maps, Scale, and Diffusion

Vocabulary flashcards covering types of diffusion, map projections, map types, map scales, and scales of analysis based on the lecture whiteboard notes.

Relocation Diffusion

Movement from one place to another with no spread in between, such as the Amish moving from Pennsylvania to Ohio.

Expansion Diffusion

A process where, instead of the thing moving to a place, it spreads outward from the hearth.

Hierarchical Expansion Diffusion

A type of expansion diffusion that spreads from people with power or places with power, such as a government telling its people to practice a religion.

Stimulus Expansion Diffusion

A type of expansion diffusion occurring when the cultural movement process has modified or changed the idea, such as McDonald's having different menus in different countries based on where it is.

Contagious Expansion Diffusion

A type of expansion diffusion that spreads at a rapid rate through person-to-person contact, such as a viral topic on social media or a disease.

Scale

The relationship of the size of a map to the amount of area it represents.

Small Scale Map

A map scale that zooms out to show a larger amount of area with less detail.

Large Scale Map

A map scale that zooms in to show a smaller amount of area with more detail.

Robinson Projection

A map projection where the poles are flattened, there is a small distortion of all the continents, and it cannot be used for navigation/sailing.

Mercator Projection

A map projection where areas near the poles are stretched (making land mass near poles look bigger than reality), but it shows true direction and is used by ships.

Thematic Maps

Maps that focus on one topic or theme rather than for general reference; all maps of this type are distorted.

Choropleth Maps

A type of thematic map that uses shades or colors to represent data.

Dot Distribution Maps

A type of thematic map that uses small dots as data points.

Graduated Symbol Maps

A type of thematic map that uses shapes of different sizes to display data.

Cartogram Maps

A type of map where the size of an area is changed based on data.

Isoline Maps

A type of thematic map that uses lines to display data.

Global Scale of Analysis

A scale of analysis showing the entire world, such as global warming or climate change.

World Regional Scale of Analysis

A scale of analysis showing multiple countries, such as North America.

National Scale of Analysis

A scale of analysis showing one country, such as the United States.

Sub-national Scale of Analysis

A scale of analysis showing a portion of a country or region, such as the Midwest.

Local Scale of Analysis

A scale of analysis showing a state, city, or county, such as New York City.