AP Human Geo

(1.1 Terms) Reference Map

A map designed to show general geographic information and spatial locations of features.

(1.1 Terms) Thematic Map

A map designed to display a specific spatial pattern, or human/physical data distribution.

(1.1 Terms)Choropleth Map

A thematic map that uses shades, tones, or colors to represent statistical data within defined administrative boundaries

(1.1 Terms) Dot Density Map

A map that uses points/dots to represent a specific quantity of a spatial phenomenon; denser areas show higher concentrations

(1.1 Terms) Graduated Symbol Map

A map using symbols (often circles) of varying sizes to represent differences in magnitude or quantity across locations

(1.1 Terms) Isoline Map

A map with continuous line connecting points of equal value (topography map)

(1.1 Terms) Cartogram Map

A map that distorts the geographic shape of land area of regions to scale them proportionally to a specific variable

(1.1 Term List) Absolute and Relative Location

• Absolute Location: The precise position of a place on earth, usually via coordinates or a street address

• Relative Location: The position of a place in relation to other nearby places, physical features, or landmarks

(1.1 Term List) Absolute and Relative Distance

• Absolute Distance: The exact physical distance between places

• Relative Distance: The measure of distance based on time, effort, or travel cost

(1.1 Term List) Absolute and Relative Direction

• Absolute Direction: Cardinal directions

• Relative Direction: Direction described using personal or contextual terms (down south,etc)

(1.1 Term List) Clustering

• A spatial pattern where features/phenomena are concentrated close together in a specific area

(1.1 Term List) Dispersal

• A spatial pattern where features/phenomena are spread widely apart across a landscape

(1.1 Term List) Elevation

• The height of something above sea level

(1.2 Terms) Place

• A specific point on Earth distinguished by its human and physical characteristics

(1.2 Terms) Site

• The physical and absolute characteristics of a location (eg. climate, terrain, elevation, soil type)

(1.2 Terms) Situation

• The location of a place relative to surrounding features and connectivity to other places

(1.2 Terms) Spatial Association

• The degree to which two or more geographic phenomena share similar distributions across space

(1.2 Terms) Flow

• The movement of people, goods, information, or ideas between places

(1.2 Terms) Distance Decay

• The decline of an activity or interaction with increasing distance from its origin

(1.2 Terms) Friction of Distance

• The degree to which distance hinders or delays movement and interaction

(1.2 Terms) Time-Space Compression

• The reduction in time it takes for something to reach another place due to transportation and communication technology

(1.2 Terms) GIS (Geographic Information System)

• A computer system that captures, stores, layers, and analyzes spatial data (like the SC Watershed Atlas)

(1.2 Terms) GPS (Global Positioning System)

• A satellite-based network that determines absolute, precise location coordinates on Earth

(1.2 Terms) Remote Sensing

• Gathering data from a distance using satellites or aircrafts

(1.2 Terms) Quantitative Data

• Numerical Information

(1.2 Terms) Qualitative Data

• Descriptive, opinion-based information

(1.1) Census Core Definition and Purpose

• An official, periodic count of a country’s population that systematically records demographic, economic, and social data

• Conducted every 10 years in the US and most other countries

• Quantitative Data

• Data is packaged and reported in Census Tracts (small neighborhood-scale geographic containers)

(1.3 Terms) Regionalization

• The process of dividing large spatial areas into smaller, cohesive units based on shared characteristics

(1.3 Terms) Formal Region (Uniform)

• An area bounded by official, measurable boundaries or shared physical/cultural traits

(1.3 Terms) Functional Region (Nodal)

• An area organized around a central focal point connected by transportation or communication

(1.3 Terms) Perceptual/Vernacular Region

• An informal area defined by people’s subjective feelings, attitudes, and cultural identity

(1.3 Terms) Regional Boundaries

• Transitional boundaries where original characteristics overlap or shift

(1.3 Terms) Scale of Analysis

• The spatial level at which data is observed and analyzed

(1.3 Terms) Census Data

• Official government counts of population, demographics, housing, and income, directly influences political representation and federal funding allocation

(1.3 Terms) Fieldwork and Observations

• Gathering data directly on the ground via surveys, interviews, photos, or landscape observations

(1.3 Terms) Satellite Imagery and Aerial Photography

• Capturing changes to Earth’s surface over time

(1.4 Terms) Toponym

• The name given to a place on Earth (e.g. Saint Petersburg- Leningrad- Saint Petersburg)

(1.4 Terms) (Human-Environment Interaction (HEI)) Adaptation

• how humans adjust to environmental constraints without changing the environment itself (floating schools, earthquake resistant architecture, etc)

(1.4 Terms) (HEI) Modification

• how humans actively altar the landscape to fit their needs (terrace farming, ploding, etc)

(1.4 Terms) (HEI) Dependence

• How humans rely directly on natural ecosystems and resources for survival (river settlements, geothermal heating,etc)

(1.4 Terms) Environmental Determinism

• Physical Environment dictates and limits human culture and development

• Passive: Humans are shaped entirely by climate, terrain, and resources

• Primary Driver is Nature/Physical Geography

• Popular in late 19th/early 20th century, is now rejected

• Ex. claiming that tropical climates make people lazy

(1.4 Terms) Possibilism

• The environment sets limits, but humans adapt, innovate, and choose options

• Active: Humans use technology, intellect, and culture to overcome natural constraints

• Primary driver is Human culture, choices, and technology

• Modern view, emerged in mid-20th century, widely accepted

• Ex. building air conditioned cities in deserts

(1.4 Terms) Push Factors

• conditions that force people to leave

(1.4 Terms) Pull Factors

• conditions that attract people to a new place

(1.4 Terms) Rural-to-Urban Migration

• movement from countryside villages to major cities for industrial/service jobs

(1.4 Terms) International Refugee Movement

• Forced movement across international borders due to conflict or violence

(1.4 Terms) Supply Chains

• Interconnected steps required to turn raw inputs into finished products

(1.4 Terms) Global Shipping Routes

• Major maritime corridors moving global trade

(1.4 Terms) Expansion Diffusion- Contagious

• spreads rapidly to adjacent populations through direct, person-to-person contact

(1.4 Terms) Expansion Diffusion- Hierarchical

• spreads top-down through nodes of power, prestige, or large urban centers (fashion trens debuting in Paris before small towns)

(1.4 Terms) Expansion Diffusion- Stimulus

• The underlying idea spreads, but is altered to fit local culture or constraints

(1.4 Terms) Relocation Diffusion

• spreads because people physically move and bring their culture with them (spanish language moving to North America via colonization)