Ap Human Geo Unit 1 test preparation

Sequent occupance

The idea that successive societies leave behind their cultural imprints on a place, each layering on the previous one.

Cultural landscape

The visible imprint of human activity on the natural landscape, as introduced by Carl Sauer.

Statistical map

Thematic map that uses numbers or data to show information about places.

Physical attributes

Natural characteristics of a place such as climate, landforms, elevation, vegetation, and water.

Diffusion

The spread of innovation or idea from its point of origin to other places over time.

Hearth

The place of origin of an innovation or cultural trait.

Relocation diffusion

Spread of an idea through the physical movement of people carrying it to a new place.

Expansion diffusion

Spread of an idea from a hearth while remaining strong in the origin.

Contagious diffusion

Rapid, widespread diffusion through direct contact without regard to hierarchy.

Hierarchical diffusion

Spread of an idea from persons or nodes of authority to other persons or places.

Stimulus diffusion

An underlying idea spreads, but the specific trait is adapted or changed.

Dispersion (scattered)

Spread out, features far apart from each other.

Concentration (clustered/agglomerated)

Features close together in space.

Relative distance

described in terms of time, cost, or effort rather than measured units.

Distortion

Inaccuracy in size, shape, distance, or direction when a 3D Earth is shown on a flat map.

Distribution

The arrangement of a feature across space, including density, concentration, and pattern.

Determinism

Theory suggesting human behavior is strongly affected by the physical environment.

Possibilism

theory that the physical environment sets limits and offers possibilities, but human culture, technology, and choices ultimately decide how a place develops

Absolute location

Exact location on Earth given by coordinates or an address.

Relative location

Location described in relation to other places or features.

Site

The physical characteristics of a place itself, including climate and topography.

Centralized pattern

Features arranged around a central point.

Cluster

A group of features located close together.

Place

A specific location on Earth distinguished by a particular characteristic.

Region

An area on Earth defined by one or more characteristics.

Formal region

Area where boundaries are agreed upon and distinct

Functional region

area organized around a central node by interactions and the movement of people, goods, or information between the center and its surrounding areas

Perceptual (vernacular) region

Region based on people's feelings and attitudes, not official boundaries.

Scale

The degree of generalization or area of study, from local to global.

Distance decay

The farther away something is, the less interaction it has with its origin.

Friction of distance

The increase in time, cost, and effort as distance increases.

Time-space compression

the process by which modern transportation and communication technologies reduce the time and effort it takes to interact across distance, making distant places feel functionally closer

Terra incognita

Latin for 'unknown land', areas not yet mapped or explored.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Computer system that captures, stores, analyzes, and displays geographic data.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Satellite-based navigation system providing exact absolute location.

Latitude (parallel)

Imaginary lines measuring distance north or south of the equator.

Longitude (meridian)

Imaginary lines measuring distance east or west of the prime meridian.

Equator

0° latitude, dividing Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Prime meridian

0° longitude, dividing Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

Grid (global grid system)

The system of latitude and longitude lines determining absolute location.

Map scale

The relationship between distance on a map and distance on Earth.

Reference map

Map showing general locations of places and geographic features.

Physical map

Map showing natural features like mountains and rivers.

Thematic map

Map that displays a specific topic or spatial pattern of a single theme.

Cartogram

Map that distorts the size of places based on a variable.

Dot distribution map

Thematic map using dots to show the presence and density of a feature.

Choropleth map

Thematic map using colors or shading to show data by area.

Isoline map

Map with lines connecting points of equal value.

Mental map

A map of an area based on personal perceptions and experiences.

Map projection

Method of transferring the Earth onto a flat surface, causing distortion.

Time zones

Global zones based on the sun's position, each an hour apart.

Globalization

Increasing i.the global interconnection with culture, economy, and politic

Census data

Population data collected by governments about people and places.

Fieldwork

First-hand data collection by geographers in the field.