AS

AP HUG unit 1

AP Human Geography – Unit 1 Study Guide

Thinking Geographically

Types of Maps

Reference Maps – Show where places are.

  • Examples: Political maps, Physical maps.

Thematic Maps – Show data about places.

  • Examples:

    • Choropleth map: Regions shaded according to a statistic.

    • Dot distribution map: Dots represent number of a statistic.

    • Graduated symbol map: Symbols of varying size represent a statistic.

    • Cartogram: Regions scaled by size of a statistic.

    • Isoline map: Lines of equal value bound areas of greater/lesser values.

    • Topographical map: Shows elevation of land (sometimes considered thematic).

Scale

Definition – The size of the area we are studying.

Types of Scale of a Map:

  • Numerical scale: Ratio of distance on map to real world (ex: 1 cm = 100 km).

  • Descriptive scale: Words to describe scope (ex: “global scale” or “local scale”).

Common Scales (largest to smallest):

  1. Global – entire world

  2. Regional – by region/continent

  3. National – by country

  4. Subnational – by state/province

  5. Local – by city

Scale of Analysis – The kind of regions for which data is shown.

Regions

Formal/Uniform Region – Based on a defined criterion, uniform throughout.

  • Example: state boundaries, language region.

Functional/Nodal Region – Based on connection to a node.

  • Example: a city and its commuting zone, a port.

Vernacular/Perceptual Region – Based on people’s perception.

  • Example: “the South” in the U.S.

Resources and Humans

Natural Resource – Products of nature used by humans.

Examples of resources: fossil fuels, wind, plants, animals, land.

Renewable resource – Used by humans slower than nature produces it.

  • Examples: wind, solar, timber.

Non-renewable resource – Used faster than nature produces it.

  • Examples: coal, oil, natural gas.

Human–Environment Interaction

  • Environmental Determinism – Natural environment determines development.

  • Possibilism – Humans can adapt/modify activity to environment.

  • Sustainability – Ability to continue a practice long-term.

Geographic Technology

  • GIS (Geographic Information System) – Software to store, analyze, and map geographic data (ex: ArcGIS).

  • GPS (Global Positioning System) – Uses satellites, US military origin.

  • GLONASS – Russian equivalent of GPS.

  • Remote Sensing – Technology to detect patterns from a distance.

  • Online Mapping – Digital mapping with added features (ex: Google Maps).

Map Projections

Mercator Projection

  • Preserves shape and direction.

  • Distorts size, especially near poles.

Goode’s Homolosine Projection

  • Preserves area, minimizes distortion of land masses.

Robinson Projection

  • Compromise projection: distorts all a little but none too much.

  • Good for showing whole world with balance.

Spatial Concepts

  • Absolute distance – Straight line distance between places.

  • Relative distance – Time, cost, or ease of travel between places.

  • Absolute location – Exact coordinates.

  • Relative location – Where a place is in relation to others.

Geographic Distribution Aspects:

  • Density – Number of objects in an area.

  • Pattern – Arrangement of objects in space.

3 Types of Spatial Pattern:

  • Clustering

  • Dispersal

  • Random

Other Concepts:

  • Place – A location with unique qualities.

  • Space – The area where activities happen.

  • Distance Decay – As distance increases, interaction decreases.

  • Time-space Compression – Technology makes places seem closer.

  • Flows – Interactions between places (trade, communication, cultural exchange).