Unit 1 Spatial Geography

Types of Maps in Human Geography

  • Reference Maps:

    • Informational maps that show boundaries and place names.

    • Examples: World map, city map, topographical maps, subway maps, theme park maps.

    • Helps identify specific locations.

  • Thematic Maps:

    • Tell a story through the representation of data (density & distribution).

    • Types of Geospatial Data Mapping:

    1. Choropleth Maps:

      • Use colors/shading to show quantifiable data.

      • Darker colors represent higher density.

      • Example: COVID-19 case distribution by state.

    2. Dot Maps:

      • Each dot represents a value in its approximate location.

      • Shows spatial distribution of a phenomenon.

      • Example: Population density in an area.

    3. Graduated Symbol Maps:

      • Symbols vary in size according to value (proportional).

      • Denser areas have larger symbols.

    4. Isoline Maps:

      • Connect areas of equal values with lines.

      • Common in weather maps; can be hard to interpret without color.

    5. Cartograms:

      • Distort land area to represent value (e.g., population).

Data Analysis in Geography

  • Measuring Location, Distance, and Direction:

    • Absolute: Quantitative measures (e.g., distance of 1221 miles from Nashville to New York).

    • Relative: Qualitative measures (e.g., "my house is near the beach").

  • Types of Patterns:

    • Clustered: Grouped or concentrated.

    • Dispersed: Spread out.

    • Uniform: Evenly spread.

    • Random: No discernible pattern.

Map Projections

  • Importance of Map Projections:

    • Distort shape, size, distance, and direction when representing spherical Earth on a flat map.

  • Common Projections:

    • Mercator Projection: Preserves shape but distorts size at higher latitudes (e.g., Greenland).

    • Gall-Peters Projection: Preserves area but distorts shape (exaggerates sizes of continents).

    • Robinson Projection: Compromise projection that balances size and shape but distorts polar areas.

    • Goodes Projection: Interrupts oceans to maintain size/shape of land masses, used for thematic maps.

Geographic Data Collection

  • Methods:

    • Field Studies: Gathering information directly from the environment.

    • Organizations: Government, private, and academic institutions collect data (e.g., census data).

    • Technologies:

    • GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Analyzes, stores, and displays geographic data.

    • Remote Sensing: Satellite data for urban sprawl, drought effects, etc.

    • Satellite Navigation Systems: Provides precise location data.

    • Online Mapping: Various digital resources for geographic analysis.

    • Cartography: The art and science of map-making, essential for visualizing geographic information and spatial relationships.

    • Geospatial Analysis: The process of interpreting spatial data to make informed decisions about land use and environmental management.

Spatial Concepts

  • Definitions:

    • Absolute Location: Fixed point defined by coordinates (latitude/longitude).

    • Relative Location: Location in relation to others; significance determined by context.

    • Place: Unique human experiences tied to characteristics of a location.

    • Spatial Interaction: Movement and flow of people/information/goods between places.

    • Distance Decay: Lesser interaction with increased distance; mitigated by technology today.

    • Time-Space Compression: Technology reduces time and space, increasing connectivity.

Sustainability and Land Use

  • Sustainability: Actions managing resources for immediate benefits and future preservation (example: biomass energy).

  • Natural Resources: Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources; essential for human use.

  • Land Use: Human modification of the earth for agriculture, industry, residential, etc.

Theories of Human-Environmental Interaction

  • Environmental Determinism: Suggests environment fully shapes human culture; simplistic view.

  • Possibilism: Acknowledges the environment's role but also human choice and technological adaptation.

Scale Analysis

  • Importance of Scale: Influences data interpretation and decision-making across various geographical levels.

  • Types of Regions:

    • Formal Regions: Defined by unifying characteristics (e.g., language, politics).

    • Functional Regions: Defined by activity centers or networks (e.g., urban delivery zones).

    • Perceptual Regions: Subjective and dependent on individual perception; fuzzy boundaries.


Theories of Human-Environmental Interaction
Environmental Determinism: Suggests environment fully shapes human culture; simplistic view.
Possibilism: Acknowledges the environment's role but also human choice and technological adaptation.
Malthusian Theory: Proposed by Thomas Robert Malthus, it suggests that population growth will inevitably outpace food production, leading to famine and resource scarcity.
Neo-Malthusianism: A modern adaptation of Malthusian theory focusing on the relationships between population growth, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, emphasizing sustainable practices.
Anti-Malthusian Perspectives: These reject the notion that population growth will lead to catastrophe, often arguing that innovation and technological advancement can overcome resource limitations.

Spatial Interaction: Movement and flow of people/information/goods between places. Assimilation, Acculturation, and Syncretism are different forms of cultural exchange and interaction:

  • Assimilation: The process by which a minority group adopts the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture, often losing its original cultural identity.

  • Acculturation: The process of cultural change and psychological change that results following meeting between cultures, where the minority culture adopts some elements of the dominant culture while preserving its own.

  • Syncretism: The amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought, resulting in new practices and beliefs that combine elements from both sides.
    Types of Expansion Diffusion:

  1. Contagious Diffusion: Rapid, widespread diffusion of a feature or trend throughout a population; tends to happen as the disease spreads.

  2. Hierarchical Diffusion: Spread of a feature or trend from one key person or node of authority to other persons or places.

  3. Stimulus Diffusion: The spread of an underlying principle, even though a specific characteristic is rejected; commonly seen in cultural adaptions.


Sustainability: Actions managing resources for immediate benefits and future preservation (example: biomass energy).

  • Social Pillar: Focuses on social equity, inclusivity, and community well-being. It promotes fairness and quality of life for all individuals, ensuring communities have access to essential services and support.

  • Economic Pillar: Aims at economic viability and stability while considering sustainable practices. This pillar emphasizes responsible resource management and the need for economic growth that does not degrade the environment.
    Natural Resources: Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources; essential for human use.
    Land Use: Human modification of the earth for agriculture, industry, residential, etc.