AP HUG unit 1 flashcards
What are the 2 types of maps?
Reference maps - used for general information, shows location of spatial phenomenon.
Thematic maps - Helps understand relations and emphasises spatial patterns.
What is a Choropleth map?
Uses colors, shades, or patterns to represent spatial data, with darker or stronger colors usually indicating higher values.
What is a Dot map?
Uses dots to show the location and distribution of something on a map, with each dot representing a set quantity.
What is a Graduated Symbol Map?
Uses scaled symbols to show different amounts, with a key explaining the exact values.
What is a Isoline Line-map?
“Iso” means equal. Uses lines to connect points of equal value, showing data variations. Topographic maps use this to display elevation changes.
What is a Cartogram?
Distorts map shape to represent an alternative variable.
What are examples of all thematic maps?
Choropleth map - Population density
Dot map - Voting distribution
GS map - No# of McDonalds
Isoline map - Weather map
Cartogram map - Countries land area
Absolute vs Relative
Absolute is exact and uses standard measurements, while relative depends on other factors and can change over time.
Latitude & Longitude
Latitude runs east to west but is measured north to south, starting at 0° at the equator and reaching 90° at the poles. It affects climate and temperature.
Longitude runs north to south but is measured east to west, starting at 0° at the Prime Meridian. It creates the 24 time zones.
Absolute Distance vs Relative Distance
Absolute distance is the exact measurement between two points.
Relative distance depends on factors like time, transportation, traffic, weather, and speed limits.
Absolute Direction vs Relative Direction
Absolute direction is the universal directions (North, South, East, West) are fixed and never change.
Relative direction depends on a person’s perspective, like left, right, forward, backward, up, or down
Spatial Analysis
A type of analysis that explains human behavior patterns.
Patterns:
Clustered, Dispersed, and Linear. Mostly by design or function rather than by accident.
Distortions:
SADD :( -
Shape
Area
Distance
Direction
Mercator Projection
Purpose: Navigation
Strengths: Directions are accurate; lines of latitude and longitude meet at right angles.
Distortions: Distance between lines of longitude appear consistent; land masses near the poles appear large.
Gall-Peters Projection
Purpose: Spatial distributions related to area
Strengths: Relative size of land masses are accurate
Distortions: Shapes are inaccurate especially near the poles
Robinson Projection
Purpose: Aesthetically pleasing
Strengths: Directions are accurate; lines of latitude and longitude meet at right angles
Distortions: It has all 4 distortions. The distance between longitude lines looks even, and landmasses near the poles appear larger.
Goode’s Homolosine
Strengths: Equal relative size of and preserves shape of landmasses
Distortion: Distance and direction due to separation of oceans.
Data Acquisition
Spatial data is collected for various map applications by individuals and organizations, covering areas like business, government, health, education, city planning, census, zoning, land surveys, and transportation.
Remote Sensing
Data about Earth’s surface is collected from satellites, airplanes, or other remote methods. It scans the ground for information like elevation, water, and vegetation to create maps.
GIS
A database system that captures, analyzes, and stores GPS data to create and layer maps. It’s publicly accessible.
Fieldwork Observations
Observing, recording, and collecting location data using satellites, sketches, or interviews.
Photographic interpretations
Allows an observer to try to observe a moment or snapshot and apply geographic phenomenon.
Place & Site
Place is specific human and physical characteristics of a location. Site is the absolute location of a settlement on Earth.
Situation
Relative location describes a place’s position compared to others, showing its connectivity, accessibility, and resource access. It can change over time.
Distance Decay
Friction of distance is when things are further apart they tend to be less connected.
Time Space Compression
Distance can also be measured in time, which shrinks with better transportation and communication.
Environmental Determinism vs Possibilism
Environmental Determinism argues that the physical environment solely shapes human behavior, with better environments leading to thriving societies, downplaying human ingenuity.
Possibilism suggests that while the environment sets limits, people can adapt, modify, and overcome challenges using technology.
Natural Resources
Earth made substances that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain.
Renewable - Can be replaced over a short time (Solar, Hydro, Wind, Geothermal).
Non-Renewable - Resources that are not replaced or replaced very slowly (Oil, Gas, Coal).
Sustainability
Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain ecological balance.
Map Scale
Amount of area and detail used for creating maps.
Scale of analysis
Geographers analyze relationships among and between places to reveal important spatial patterns.
Spatial Analysis
Geographers look for patterns within regions and locations in order to better understand the phenomenon.
Regions
A region with shared characteristics or activities, making it easier to study.
Formal, Functional, and Perceptual Regions:
Formal: An area with one shared trait, like borders, climate, language, or religion.
Functional: Centered around a key point, with influence fading outward.
Perceptual: Based on people’s views and cultural perceptions, varying by perspective.
Overlapping Regional boundaries
Regional boundaries are flexible, often overlapping, changing, and sometimes disputed.
