Midterm Review aphug

Midterm Review Topics

Review all content covered this semester, focusing on the following detailed topics:

1. Nation-State

   A state with a single nation, characterized by a sovereign government and defined territorial boundaries. It emphasizes a common culture, language, and identity among its citizens (e.g., Iceland and Japan).

2. Site vs. Situation

   • Site: Refers to the specific physical location of a place, including factors such as geographical features, land use, and climate.

   • Situation: The location's relationship to its surroundings and connectivity to other places, which can affect its economic and social interactions.

   • Example: New Orleans has a poor site as it is situated in a swamp, posing challenges for construction and health; however, it has a favorable situation due to its strategic location along the Mississippi River and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, making it a vital trade and cultural hub.

3. Toponym

   A toponym is the name given to a place, often reflecting the local culture, history, and language. They can provide insights into the geographical features or historical events associated with a location (e.g., "New York" derives from the Duke of York).

4. Remittances The process of sending money back to families or communities in the individuals' home countries by migrants. Remittances play a significant role in the economy of many developing countries, representing a critical source of income.

5. Creole Languages Languages that emerge from the mixing of two or more languages, often in colonial settings where diverse groups interacted. Creole languages reflect cultural exchanges and adaptability of communities (e.g., Haitian Creole, which blends French and African languages).

6. Traditional Agriculture An agricultural system that relies heavily on human labor rather than mechanization. It is often sustainable and adapted to local environmental conditions; examples include field terracing, cocoa farming in West Africa, and vanilla bean farming in Madagascar, all of which require detailed knowledge of traditional techniques and local ecosystems.

7. Lowest Fertility Rate (2000-2010)During this period, South Africa had the lowest fertility rate globally, attributed to factors like urbanization, access to family planning, and changing socio-economic conditions that influence family size decisions.

8. Diffusion of Christianity Christianity has spread globally through various means, like colonization, trade, and missionary work, primarily concentrating in the Americas, Europe, and Africa, while facing significant barriers in Asia—pertaining to dominant religions and cultural values.

9. Total Fertility Rate Defines the average number of children a woman is predicted to have over her lifetime, influenced by economic, cultural, and social factors, crucial for understanding population growth and decline in different countries.

10. Barriers to Diffusion of Technology Factors that inhibit the spread of technological innovations, including cultural barriers (e.g., traditions or beliefs), economic status (e.g., poverty limiting access), level of development (e.g., infrastructure readiness), and government regulations.

11. Universalizing Religions Religions that seek to be global and appeal to all individuals regardless of culture or location. Major examples include Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam, all of which have missionaries advocating for their beliefs.

12. Environmental Determinism A theory that suggests the physical environment, especially climate and geography, shapes human cultures and societal development, often influencing lifestyle choices, economic practices, and settlement patterns.

13. Demographic Transition Model Describes the transition of a country's population from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates, encompassing five stages, with current analysis indicating no countries are in Stage 1 (characterized by high mortality and fertility).

14. Choropleth Map A thematic map where areas are shaded or patterned in proportion to the values of a statistical variable, effectively visualizing data such as population density or electoral results across geographic areas.

15. Popular CultureEncompasses the set of practices and beliefs prevalent among the mainstream population, heavily influenced by mass media, trends, and consumerism, often leading to a homogenized global culture.

Origins of Major World Religions

1. Christianity

   • Region: Primarily Western and Central Europe, America, Africa, and parts of Asia.

   • Historical Roots: Originated in the 1st century CE in Roman-occupied Judea.

   • Foundational Narrative: Based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, viewed as the Son of God and the awaited Messiah by followers. The core tenets are derived from the New Testament, focusing on salvation, resurrection, and eternal life.

2. Islam

   • Region: Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and parts of Europe and Southeast Asia.

   • Historical Roots: Emerged in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula.

   • Foundational Narrative: Founded by the Prophet Muhammad, who is considered the last prophet in a line that includes figures like Moses and Jesus. The Quran is the holy book, believed to be the word of God as revealed to Muhammad.

3. Hinduism

   • Region: Predominantly South Asia, particularly India and Nepal.

   • Historical Roots: Dates back over 4,000 years, with roots in the Indus Valley Civilization and the Vedic period.

   • Foundational Narrative: A complex system of beliefs, gods, and practices, influenced by ancient texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana. It embraces a wide range of deities, rituals, and philosophical schools.

4. Buddhism

   • Region: Originally from India, now widespread in East and Southeast Asia, particularly countries like Thailand, Japan, and China.

   • Historical Roots: Founded in the 5th-4th centuries BCE by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha.

   • Foundational Narrative: Focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of enlightenment (Nirvana) through practices like meditation, ethical conduct, and the understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.

5. Judaism

   • Region: Historically Central and Eastern Europe, now significant populations in Israel and the United States.

   • Historical Roots: One of the oldest monotheistic religions, tracing back to Abraham around the 2nd millennium BCE in the Levant region.

   • Foundational Narrative: Based on the covenant between God and the people of Israel as conveyed in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), including laws, teachings, and stories that shape Jewish identity and practice.

6. Sikhism

   • Region: Predominantly Punjab region of India and diaspora communities worldwide.

   • Historical Roots: Founded in the 15th century CE by Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

   • Foundational Narrative: Emphasizes equality, service, and devotion to one God. The teachings are compiled in the Guru Granth Sahib, which serves as the central religious scripture, guiding spiritual and moral conduct.

7. Taoism

   • Region: Primarily China and influence in East Asia.

   • Historical Roots: Developed in the 4th century BCE with ancient Chinese philosophical traditions.

   • Foundational Narrative: Centers on the Tao (the Way), focusing on harmony with nature, the pursuit of longevity, and spiritual immortality, guided by texts like the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi.

8. Confucianism

   • Region: Mainly China and parts of East Asia.

   • Historical Roots: Founded by Confucius in the 5th century BCE during the Warring States period.

   • Foundational Narrative: Focuses on morality, social relationships, and justice, emphasizing the importance of family, respect for elders, and education as critical aspects of a well-functioning society.

1. Linguistic Landscape The visible landscape produced through the use of language, conveying cultural identity and social relationships within a community, which can be analyzed through signage, advertisements, and public announcements.

2. Japan and Germany's Population Growth Rate Review and analyze the specific trends and patterns of population growth or decline fueled by factors such as immigration, aging populations, and economic conditions in these nations.

3. Human Adaptations to Environments Exploration of how humans adjust culturally and technologically to diverse environments, including architectural adaptations, agricultural practices, and resource management strategies.

4. Reverse Hierarchical Diffusion A process where cultural traits spread from a lower to higher social classes, often seen in retail and consumer culture—like the rise of trendy items in urban markets becoming mainstream.

Major French Colonies and Regions:

1. Africa:

   • Algeria

   • Senegal

   • Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire)

   • Madagascar

   • Gabon

   • French Sudan (now Mali)

2. Americas:

   • Saint-Domingue (now Haiti)

   • French Guiana

   • Guadeloupe

   • Martinique

3. Southeast Asia:

   • Vietnam

   • Laos

   • Cambodia

Global trends in population growth and decline are influenced by several key factors, including migration patterns, education levels, healthcare access, and policy decisions. Migration can lead to population increases in urban areas while causing declines in rural areas. Improvements in education and healthcare typically contribute to lower fertility rates and better population control, leading to stabilized or decreasing populations in some regions, particularly in developed countries. Conversely, developing nations may experience population increases as education and healthcare access improve but may still have higher birth rates.

1. Dependency Ratio A measure of the proportion of dependents (youth and elderly) to the working-age population, which can rise due to an aging population, impacting economic productivity and healthcare systems.

Carl Sauer was pivotal in understanding how human culture shapes and transforms natural landscapes. He argued that the physical environment is not just a backdrop for human activity, but an active participant in the way cultures develop and interact with their surroundings. Sauer emphasized the importance of cultural landscape, which refers to the way in which peoples’ activities and interactions with the land alter the physical environment. This perspective has laid the groundwork for the study of human geography, highlighting the dynamic relationship between humans and their environment.

1. Types of Densities Definitions and distinctions:

• Arithmetic Density: Measures population per unit area of land.

• Physiological Density: Measures population relative to arable land, indicating pressure on farming resources.

• Agricultural Density: Ratio of farmers to arable land, highlighting agricultural efficiency and labor force.

Types of Diffusion in AP Human Geography

• Relocation Diffusion: Examines how people and their cultural traits migrate, leading to new regions adopting elements of the cultures moved. This process can significantly alter the cultural landscape of the receiving areas.

• Expansion Diffusion: Involves the spread of a cultural trait from its origin to other areas through various processes without the need for relocation of individuals.

  • Contagious Diffusion: Refers to the rapid, widespread adoption of an idea or phenomenon across the population, similar to how a disease spreads.

  • Hierarchical Diffusion: Occurs when cultural traits spread from larger, influential nodes (such as cities) to smaller ones, often following a top-down approach driven by social or political elites.

  • Stimulus Diffusion: Involves the spread of an underlying principle or idea even if the original cultural trait fails to diffuse. For example, the concept of fast food has spread globally, adapting locally to suit different tastes and cultures.

26. Population Pyramids Graphical representations depicting the age and sex distribution of a population, which can help anticipate future demographic shifts, policies, and resource needs.

• Multinational State: A state that contains two or more nations or ethnic groups, each with its own distinct culture, language, or identity, coexisting within a defined territorial boundary (e.g., Canada with its English and French-speaking populations).

• Stateless Nation: A cultural or ethnic group that does not have a defined state or sovereign territory of its own, often seeking autonomy or independence (e.g., the Kurds, who inhabit regions in Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran but do not have a recognized state).

• Multistate Nation: A nation that transcends the borders of multiple states, where a single ethnic or cultural group is divided among several states (e.g., the Arab nation, which spans multiple countries in the Middle East and North Africa).

• Sovereignty: The authority of a state to govern itself, make laws, and control its territory without external interference, which is a critical aspect of statehood and political power.

26. Malthusian Theory Thomas Malthus's theory positing that population growth will always outpace food production, leading to inevitable shortages; discussions include implications for sustainable development and resource management strategies.