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APhug midterm vocab
vocab for AP human geography midterm exam
Term | Definition |
---|---|
reference maps: | maps used to show landforms and/or places |
physical map: | reference map that shows political boundaries e.g. countries, cities, capitals, etc. |
political map: | reference map that shows political boundaries e.g. countries, cities, capitals, etc. |
thematic maps: | maps used to display specific types of information (theme) pertaining to an area |
cartogram: | thematic map that shows statistical data by transforming space e.g. population |
choropleth map: | thematic map that uses shading or coloring to show statistical data e.g. population |
dot density map: | thematic map that uses dots to indicate a feature or occurrence e.g. population |
graduated symbols map (proportional symbols map): | thematic map that indicates relative magnitude of some value for a geographic region in which the symbol varies in proportion to data e.g. population |
absolute distance: | measurement using a standard unit of length e.g. mile, kilometer |
relative distance: | measurement of the social, cultural, and/or economic connectivity between places (how connected or disconnected) e.g. USA and Iran vs USA and China |
absolute direction: | finding a location using compass direction e.g. north, south, east, west |
relative direction: | finding a location not using compass direction e.g. left, right, forward, backward, up, down |
spatial pattern: | the way things are laid out and organized on the surface of the Earth |
clustering: | objects that form a group e.g. coastal population |
dispersal: | objects that are scattered e.g. rural population |
elevation: | height above sea level |
spatial scale: | hierarchy of spaces e.g. location of French speakers: global: in the world regional: in North America national: in Canada local: in Quebec |
map distortion: | all maps are distorted as a result of projecting a 3-dimensional surface onto a 2-dimensional surface in area, distance, shape, and/or direction |
map projection: | a way to transfer the 3-dimensional earth onto a 2-dimensional map to reduce distortion in area, distance, shape, and/or direction |
geographic data: | information that identifies the geographic location of features and boundaries on earth (natural and constructed) |
geospatial technologies: | technology that provides geographic data that is used for personal (navigation), business (marketing), and governmental (environmental planning) purposes |
GIS (Geographic Information System): | - map created by a computer that can combine layers of spatial data - data is displayed and analyzed to gain insights into geographical patterns/relationships e.g. vulnerability of the Florida Aquifer, school boundaries, crime rates |
satellite navigation systems: | system of satellites that provide geo-spatial positioning e.g. GPS |
remote sensing: | collecting data with instruments that are distant from the area of study types of Remote Sensors: satellites, planes, aircraft, spacecraft, ships, buoys |
online mapping and visualization: | compilation and publication of web sites that provide graphical and text information in the form of maps/visuals e.g. homicide statistics |
spatial information can also come from written accounts (not just technology): | field observations, media reports, travel narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic evidence |
census data: | systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population |
satellite imagery: | images of earth collected by satellites operated by governments and businesses around the world |
absolute location: | describes the precise location of a place using the Earth’s Graticule (latitude & longitude) e.g. Palm Beach Gardens = 26°49′43″N 80°06′36″W |
relative location: | describes the location of a place relative to other human and physical features e.g. Palm Beach Gardens = north of West Palm Beach, south of Jupiter |
space (geography): | relational concept that acquires meaning and sense when related to other concepts e.g. geographers study phenomena across space |
place: | describes an area on the surface of the Earth with distinguishing human & physical characteristics (place is space with meaning) e.g. Agra, India |
pattern: | an arrangement of objects on earth, including the space in between those objects |
human-environment interaction: | describes the ways humans modify or adapt to the natural world e.g. bridges, dams, houses, roads |
distance decay: | the idea that the likelihood of interaction diminishes with increasing distance |
time-space compression: | term that refers to the increasing sense of connectivity that seems to be bringing people closer together even though their distances are the same |
time space convergence: | term that refers to the greatly accelerated movement of goods, information, and ideas during the 20th century made possible by technological innovations e.g. TV, internet, satellite communication |
movement (geography): | describes the ways in which people, goods, and ideas move from place to place |
flows (geography): | movement in a steady stream e.g. migration |
globalization: | the process of increased interconnectedness among countries most notably in the areas of economics, politics, and culture |
network: | a system of interconnected people or things e.g. transportation, communication, financial, governmental |
sustainability: | meeting an increased demand for resources (energy, food, fuel) in a way that protects the ability of future generations to meet their own needs |
natural resources: | something found in nature and is necessary or useful to humans e.g. forest, mineral deposit, water |
land use: | the function of land e.g. agricultural, commercial, residential, transportation, recreation |
environmental determinism: | theory that a society is formed and determined by the physical environment, especially the climate; the physical environment predisposes societies towards particular development; human society development is controlled by the environment |
possibilism: | theory that the environment sets certain constraints or limitations but people use their creativity to decide how to respond to the conditions of a particular natural environment |
region: | describes an area on Earth marked by similarity in some way (a way to organize space) |
regionalism: | refers to a group’s perceived identification with a particular region e.g. the South |
formal region: | region marked by a shared trait (cultural, physical, etc.) e.g. The Keys, The Caribbean |
functional region: | region marked by a particular set of activities that occur e.g. Southwest Airlines, newspaper |
perceptual/vernacular region: | region that exists as an idea e.g. the South |
regional boundaries: | transitional and often contested and overlapping e.g. Kurdistan in Turkey and Northern Iraq |
regional analysis: | analyzing regions at a variety of scales-global, national, local e.g. Muslim population global: in the world national: in Turkey local: in Kurdistan |