HGAP F24

Unit 1: Thinking Geographically

Maps:

  1. Reference Maps: Show locations of places and geographic features (e.g., political, physical maps).

  2. Thematic Maps: Display specific data or trends (e.g., choropleth, dot-density, cartogram, isoline).

  3. Map Distortion: Types of distortion (shape, area, distance, direction) caused by projection.

  4. Mercator Projection: Preserves direction, distorts size near poles (e.g., Greenland appears larger).

  5. Peters Projection: Focuses on relative size but distorts shape.

  6. Robinson Projection: Balances distortions, commonly used in classrooms.

  7. GIS (Geographic Information System): Captures, stores, analyzes geographic data.

  8. GPS (Global Positioning System): Uses satellites to determine absolute location.

Spatial Concepts:

  1. Site: Physical characteristics of a location (e.g., climate, soil, water sources).

  2. Situation: Location relative to other places (e.g., accessibility, connections).

  3. Absolute Location: Precise location using coordinates (latitude and longitude).

  4. Relative Location: Position in relation to other places.

Geographical Theories:

  1. Environmental Determinism: Belief that the environment dictates human behavior.

  2. Possibilism: Belief that humans adapt to and modify the environment.

Regions:

  1. Formal Region: Defined by uniform characteristics (e.g., language, climate).

  2. Functional Region: Defined by a focal point or activity (e.g., metro area, newspaper circulation).

  3. Perceptual (Vernacular) Region: Based on shared perceptions (e.g., "the South").

Scale:

  1. Local Scale: Focus on a community or neighborhood.

  2. Regional Scale: Focus on larger areas like states or provinces.

  3. Global Scale: Focus on the entire world.

  4. Scale of Analysis: The spatial extent of data analysis (local, national, regional, global).

Unit 2: Population and Migration Patterns and Processes

Population:

  1. Population Pyramid: A graphical representation of population by age and gender.

  2. Fertility Rate: Average number of children a woman will have in her lifetime.

  3. Crude Birth Rate (CBR): Number of live births per 1,000 people annually.

  4. Crude Death Rate (CDR): Number of deaths per 1,000 people annually.

  5. Natural Increase Rate (NIR): Growth rate of a population (CBR - CDR).

  6. Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Average number of children born to a woman during her childbearing years.

  7. Replacement Level Fertility: TFR needed for a population to replace itself (2.1 in developed countries).

Demographic Transition Model (DTM):

  1. Stage 1: High birth and death rates, low growth.

  2. Stage 2: High birth rates, declining death rates, rapid growth.

  3. Stage 3: Declining birth and death rates, moderate growth.

  4. Stage 4: Low birth and death rates, stable growth.

  5. Stage 5: Potential population decline due to low birth rates.

Epidemiologic Transition Model (ETM):

  1. Stage 1: Pestilence and famine.

  2. Stage 2: Receding pandemics.

  3. Stage 3: Degenerative and human-created diseases.

  4. Stage 4: Delayed degenerative diseases.

  5. Stage 5: Reemergence of infectious diseases (e.g., antibiotic resistance).

Population Theories:

  1. Thomas Malthus: Population grows exponentially; food supply grows linearly; overpopulation leads to famine.

  2. Ester Boserup: Population growth stimulates agricultural innovation.

Migration:

  1. Push Factors: Negative conditions driving migration (e.g., conflict, natural disasters).

  2. Pull Factors: Positive conditions attracting migrants (e.g., jobs, safety).

  3. Ravenstein’s Laws of Migration: Patterns of migration:

  • Short distances are more common.

  • Urban areas attract more migrants.

  • Step migration is typical.

  • Counter-migration exists.

Unit 3: Cultural Patterns and Processes

Diffusion:

  1. Relocation Diffusion: Movement of people carrying cultural traits.

  2. Expansion Diffusion: Spread of cultural traits through interaction.

    • Hierarchical Diffusion: Spread through a specific class (e.g., fashion trends).

    • Contagious Diffusion: Rapid, widespread diffusion (e.g., viral videos).

    • Stimulus Diffusion: Underlying principle spreads, though specific trait does not (e.g., McDonald's menu changes).

Cultural Concepts:

  1. Cultural Landscape: Visible imprint of human activity on the environment.

  2. Assimilation: Process by which a minority group adopts the culture of the dominant group.

  3. Acculturation: Exchange of cultural features through prolonged contact.

  4. Ethnocentrism: Judging another culture by the standards of one’s own.

Language:

  1. Language Families: Indo-European, Sino-Tibetan, Afro-Asiatic, Niger-Congo, etc.

  2. Lingua Franca: Common language used for communication (e.g., English globally).

  3. Pidgin Language: Simplified mix of languages for communication.

  4. Creole Language: Stable, natural language formed from a mix of languages.

Religion:

  1. Universalizing Religions: Seek global appeal (e.g., Christianity, Islam, Buddhism).

  2. Ethnic Religions: Specific to a group (e.g., Hinduism, Judaism).

  3. Syncretism: Blending of religions or traditions (e.g., Voodoo).

Forces in Society:

  1. Centripetal Forces: Unite a country (e.g., shared religion, language).

  2. Centrifugal Forces: Divide a country (e.g., ethnic conflicts).

Unit 4: Political Geography

Political Organization:

  1. Sovereignty: Authority over internal and external affairs.

  2. Self-Determination: Right of a group to govern itself.

Borders:

  1. Types of Boundaries:

    • Geometric: Straight-line boundaries.

    • Physical: Natural features (e.g., rivers, mountains).

    • Cultural: Based on cultural traits (e.g., language, religion).

  2. Border Disputes: Territorial, positional, resource, functional.

Types of States:

  1. Nation-State: State with a homogenous culture (e.g., Japan).

  2. Multinational State: State with multiple cultures (e.g., Canada).

  3. Stateless Nation: Cultural group without a state (e.g., Kurds).

Colonialism and Imperialism:

  1. Colonialism: Establishing settlements and control over territories.

  2. Imperialism: Extending influence over foreign lands.

Devolution and Balkanization:

  1. Devolution: Transfer of power to regional governments.

  2. Balkanization: Fragmentation into smaller, hostile states.

Governance:

  1. Unitary State: Centralized government control.

  2. Federal State: Power shared between national and local governments.

Redistricting:

  1. Gerrymandering: Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage.

Supranational Organizations:

  1. United Nations (UN): Global cooperation.

  2. NATO: Military alliance.

  3. EU (European Union): Economic and political union.

Law of the Seas:

  1. Territorial Waters: Up to 12 nautical miles from the coast.

  2. Contiguous Zone: 24 nautical miles; limited enforcement.

  3. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 200 nautical miles; economic rights.

  4. High Seas: Beyond EEZ; open to all states.