AP HUMAN GEO STUDY GUIDE
Key Concepts in AP Human Geography
Location
Absolute Location: The precise spot where something is according to some system (e.g., GPS coordinates).
Relative Location: The position of a place in relation to other places.
Place
Physical Characteristics: Natural features (mountains, rivers, etc.).
Human Characteristics: Cultural features (architecture, language, etc.).
Region
Formal Regions: Defined by official boundaries (countries, states).
Functional Regions: Areas organized around a node or focal point (metro areas).
Vernacular Regions: Perceived regions based on common cultural identity (the South, Midwest).
Human-Environment Interaction
The ways humans adapt to and modify the environment (agriculture, urbanization).
Movement
Movement of people, goods, and ideas.
Patterns of migration and globalization.
Population
Demographics: Study of statistics (birth, death, migration rates).
Population Density: The number of people living per unit area.
Population Pyramids: Graphical representation of age distribution in a population.
Cultural Patterns
Language: The role of language in culture (language families, diffusion).
Religion: Major world religions and their distributions.
Ethnicity: Patterns of ethnicity across regions.
Political Organization of Space
The study of political boundaries, governance, and the geopolitical landscape.
Types of governments and their spatial implications.
Agriculture and Rural Land Use
Types of agriculture: Subsistence vs. commercial.
The impact of agriculture on land use and environment.
Urban Land Use
Models of urban structure (Concentric Zone Model, Sector Model, Multiple Nuclei Model).
The impact of urbanization and suburbanization.
Study Methods
Use flashcards for key terms.
Create concept maps for major themes.
Practice past exam questions.
Group study sessions for discussion and review.