AP Human Geography Unit 1: Master Flashcard Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering geographic tools, perspectives, regions, culture, diffusion, and economic systems based on AP Human Geography Unit 1.

Spatial Perspective (Distribution)

Studying where things are located on Earth and why they are there.

Remote Sensing

Gathering Earth data from a distance using satellites or drones.

GPS

Satellite system that finds the exact absolute location of a receiver.

GIS

Computer system that layers map data to show geographic patterns.

Census Data

Official count of a population tracking age, income, and background.

Survey

Collecting data directly from people using questions.

Field Study

Gathering data in the real world instead of a classroom or lab.

Toponymy

The study of place names and what they reveal about history or culture.

Absolute Location

The exact spot of a place using coordinates or a street address.

Relative Location

Where a place is located compared to other landmarks around it.

Site

The physical traits of a location (climate, soil, water, elevation).

Situation

Location relative to surrounding trade routes and other places.

Cultural Landscape

The visible mark human culture leaves on the natural environment.

Formal Region

An area with official borders or shared, uniform characteristics throughout.

Functional Region

An area organized around a central hub connected by movement or trade.

Vernacular / Perceptual Region

An area defined by people's informal feelings, identity, or stereotypes.

Mental Map

A person's internal, mental layout of Earth's surface and places.

Large Scale / Local Scale

A map showing a small area with high close-up detail.

Small Scale / Global Scale

A map showing a huge area with very low detail.

Globalization

Growing worldwide connections in business, culture, and technology.

Local Diversity

Unique local traits and traditions that survive despite global trends.

Culture

Shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors defining a group's life.

Cultural Hierarchy

The structural levels of culture from tiny traits up to massive realms.

Cultural Hearth

An origin spot where a key cultural idea or innovation begins.

Acculturation

Adopting traits of a dominant culture while keeping your original identity.

Assimilation

Fully adopting a majority culture and losing original cultural traits.

Sequent Occupancy

Successive societies leaving cultural imprints on a place over time.

Diffusion

The spatial spread of an idea, trend, or feature from place to place.

Expansion Diffusion

Spread of an idea where total adopters grow while staying strong at the origin.

Relocation Diffusion

Spread of cultural traits through the physical movement of people.

Migrant Diffusion

Relocation diffusion where an idea spreads to a new spot but dies out at the origin.

Hierarchical Diffusion

Spread of ideas top-down from high authority nodes to lower levels.

Contagious Diffusion

Rapid, direct person-to-person spread throughout a population.

Stimulus Diffusion

Spread of an underlying idea even though the specific original form is altered.

Taboo

A strict cultural or religious restriction on a specific social behavior.

Space-Time Compression

The reduction in travel/communication time between places due to technology.

Time-Distance Decay

Less interaction between places as the time and distance between them grows.

Elevation

Land height above sea level, shaping climate and human settlements.

Environmental Determinism

Old belief that physical environment strictly dictates human societal success.

Map Projection

Flattening Earth's 3D globe onto a 2D map, creating unavoidable distortion.

Thematic Maps

Maps focused on displaying specific spatial data or themes.

Sustainability

Using resources responsibly today so future generations still have them.

Choropleth Map

A thematic map using color shades to show data averages per area.

Possibilism

Theory that nature sets limits, but humans can adapt using technology.

Scales of Analysis

The level at which geographic data is grouped (global, national, local).

Human Environment Interaction

How humans depend on, adapt to, and change their natural environment.

Absolute vs Relative Distance

Absolute is physical distance (miles); relative is travel time/cost.

Dispersal (Spatial Pattern)

Objects, homes, or features spread out far apart across a space.

Clustering (Spatial Pattern)

Objects, homes, or features grouped closely together in one area.

Industrialization

Shift from hand-craft farming economies to factory mass production.

Primary Economic Activities

Extracting or harvesting natural raw materials directly from Earth.

Secondary Economic Activities

Processing and manufacturing raw materials into finished goods.

Tertiary Economic Activities

Providing commercial or personal services directly to customers.

Quaternary Economic Activities

Handling, processing, and managing knowledge, information, and tech.

Quinary Economic Activities

Top executive decision-making roles shaping government and business policies.

Core Countries / MDC

Wealthy, highly developed nations with advanced tech and global influence.

Semi Periphery Countries / LDC

Developing nations industrializing fast with traits of both core and periphery.

Periphery Countries / LLDC

Low-income nations relying on core nations, exporting raw materials and labor.

Cold War

Decades of political tension between the US (Capitalist) and USSR (Communist).

Wallerstein's World System Model

Theory showing how wealthy core nations exploit periphery nations for cheap labor.

Natural Infrastructure

Natural ecosystems providing protection and essential services to humans.

Artificial Infrastructure

Man-made physical structures built to support modern living and movement.

Colonialism

A country establishing physical settlements to rule another land and its people.

Imperialism

Extending a country's power over other nations through force or diplomacy.

Capital

Financial assets, equipment, and tools used to produce goods and income.