Name:__________________________________________________ Date: _________________________________

Unit 1: Thinking Geographically

Human Geography study of people AND places
how we make places
how we organize space and society
how we interact with each other in places and across spaces
how we make sense of others and ourselves in our localities, regions, & the world

types of maps reference maps: maps used to show landforms and/or places

physical map: reference map that shows identifiable natural landmarks such as
mountains, rivers, oceans, elevation

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
types of spatial absolute distance: measurement using a standard unit of length
patterns represented e.g. mile, kilometer
on maps
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 projections map distortion: all maps are distorted as a result of projecting a 3-dimensional surface onto a 2-dimensional surface
inevitably distort in area, distance, shape, and/or direction
spatial relationships in
shape, area, distance,
and 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
data may be gathered geographic data: information that identifies the geographic location of features and boundaries on earth (natural and
in the field by constructed)
organizations or by
individuals

geospatial geospatial technologies: technology that provides geographic data that is used for personal (navigation), business
technologies (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

uses of Remote Sensing:

● Track storm systems
● Search for natural resources
● Military surveillance
● Monitor volcanoes
● Monitor deforestation/glacier melting

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 spatial information can also come from written accounts (not just technology): field observations, media reports, travel
can come from written narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic evidence
accounts

geospatial and census data: systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population
geographical data are
used at all scales
(personal, business, satellite imagery: images of earth collected by satellites operated by governments and businesses around the world
governmental decision
making)

spatial concepts 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

concepts of nature sustainability: meeting an increased demand for resources (energy, food, fuel) in a way that protects the ability of future
and society 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

theories regarding the environmental determinism: theory that a society is formed and determined by the physical environment, especially the
interaction of the climate; the physical environment predisposes societies towards particular development; human society development is
natural environment controlled by the environment
with human societies

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

scales of analysis spatial scale: analyzing data at a variety of scales-global, regional, national, local
e.g. location of French speakers:
global: in the world
regional: in North America
national: in Canada
local: in Quebec
patterns and spatial scale: analyzing data at different scales reveal variations/different interpretations of data
processes at different e.g. fertility rate
scales global: in the world (2.4)
regional: in Sub-Saharan Africa (4.7)
national: in Tunisia (2.1)

regions 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

types of regions 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, Kurdistan

regional boundaries regional boundaries: transitional and often contested and overlapping
e.g. Kurdistan in Turkey and Northern Iraq

regional analysis 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