Study Notes for APHG Exam Units 1-7

Environmental Determinism

  • Definition: The theory that the physical environment, particularly the climate and terrain, shapes human habits and behaviors.
  • Key Beliefs:
    • People adapt their cultures and societies based on environmental conditions.
    • Different environments may lead to distinct societal developments.

Types of Maps

  • Choropleth Map: Uses colors or patterns to indicate values (e.g., population density).
  • Cartogram: Adjusts the size of regions based on a specific variable (e.g., population).
  • Proportional Symbol Map: Uses symbols (like circles) whose sizes correspond to values at different locations.
  • Dot Symbol Map: Represents data with dots; one dot can equal a set number of occurrences.
  • Isoline Map: Uses lines to connect points of equal value (e.g., elevation, temperature).

Human Adaptation of Built Environment

  • Modification of Nature: Humans alter natural landscapes to create urban spaces, agriculture, and infrastructure.
  • Examples:
    • Dams for water management.
    • Levies and sea walls to control flooding.

Demographic Patterns

  • Birth and Death Rates: Trends differ among countries based on economic development, healthcare, and cultural factors.
  • Infant Mortality Rates: Commonly higher in LDCs (Less Developed Countries) due to poor healthcare.
  • Identification of Exemplary Countries for patterns of demographic transitions such as high birth rates in developing nations or ageing populations in developed nations.

Dependency Ratio

  • Factors Affecting Dependency Ratio:
    • Birth rates and death rates.
    • Immigration and emigration rates.
    • Age distribution of the population.

Ethnic Neighborhoods

  • Definition: Areas primarily inhabited by a specific ethnic group; reflecting their culture and lifestyle.
  • Characteristics:
    • Homogeneity in language, culture, or religious practices.
    • Local businesses that cater to the community’s needs.

Lingua Francas and Colonialism

  • Spread of Lingua Francas: Resulted from colonialism; aids in communication across diverse populations.
  • Economic and Social Effects:
    • Unification of diverse groups under a shared language.
    • Loss of indigenous languages and cultures.

Expansion Diffusion Barriers

  • Current Barriers:
    • Physical (e.g., mountains, oceans).
    • Political (e.g., closed borders).
    • Economic (e.g., lack of resources).

Types of Expansion Diffusion

  • Contagious Diffusion: Spread through direct contact.
  • Hierarchical Diffusion: Spread from persons of power to other individuals or places.
  • Stimulus Diffusion: Concept spreads, but specific traits are altered.

Characteristics of a State

  • Definition: A political entity with a defined territory, permanent population, and centralized government.
  • Attributes:
    • Sovereignty: Full right to govern.
    • Recognition by other states.

Types of Government Systems

  • Types:
    • Unitary System: Centralized government.
    • Federal System: Powers divided between national and state governments.

Boundaries

  • Superimposed Boundaries: Boundaries imposed by external powers rather than through natural or cultural boundaries.
  • Types of Boundaries:
    • Superimposed, relic, consequent, and subsequent boundaries with examples for each.

Colonialism and State Boundaries

  • Effects: Altered traditional boundaries in Africa and the Middle East; often disregarding cultural divisions leading to conflict.

Redistricting**

  • Process: Redefining electoral district boundaries, often manipulated for political advantage (gerrymandering).
  • Consquences: Can lead to lack of representation for certain demographics.

Agriculture Forms

  • Intensive vs. Extensive: Intensive farming involves high input/outputs, while extensive relies on land area.
  • Subsistence vs. Commercial:
    • Subsistence: Local consumption; low surplus.
    • Commercial: Larger scale and market-oriented.

Shifts in Agriculture

  • Transformation: Movement from subsistence to commercial agriculture alters economies and societies.

Major Crops Hearths

  • Identification of Regions where key crops (rice, wheat, corn) originated influencing agricultural patterns.

Commercial Farming Types

  • Attributes: Focus on high-profit crops and exploitation of economies of scale.

Urbanization Concepts

  • Definitions of urban terminology: urbanized area, suburbs, suburbanization, edge city.
  • Hierarchy of Urban Settlements: Cities, towns, villages, and hamlets ranked by size and functions.

Central Place Theory

  • Explanation: Describes the number, size, and distribution of human settlements within an urban system based on consumer behavior.

Urban Models

  • Burgess Model: Concentric circles indicating urban structuring.
  • Hoyt Sector Model: Emphasizes transportation routes and sectors.
  • Multiple Nuclei Model: Explains urban development around multiple centers rather than one.
  • Galactic City Model: Highlights decentralization and edge cities.

Economic Activity Sectors

  • Identification: Primary (extractive), Secondary (manufacturing), and Tertiary (services) sectors with examples.

Global Indicators**

  • Metrics: HDI, GDI, GII, and GINI Index used for measuring development and gender disparities.

Globalization

  • Definition: The increasing interdependence of economies worldwide, influenced by technology and trade policies.