Unit 1 Vocab Flashcards
Environmental Determinism
A 19th and early 20th century approach to the study of geography that the general laws sought by human geographers could be found in the physical sciences. Geography was there for the study of how physical environment causes human activities.
Possibilism
The theory that the physical environment may set limits on human actions, but people have the ability to adjust the physical environment and choose a course of action from many alternatives. 
Sustainability
The use of earths renewable and nonrenewable natural resources in ways that do not constrained resources in the future.
Census
Population count
Chloropleth map
A Thematic Map That uses colors on political maps.
Clustering
If objects in an area are close together, referring to concentration.
Density
A distribution property where the frequency with something occurs in.
Graduated symbol map
A map with symbols that change in size according to the value of the attribute they represent
Geographic scale
The scale at which a geographer analyzes of particular phenomenon, for example:Global, national, since it’s tracked, neighborhood, etc.Generally, the finer the scale of analysis, the Richard a level of detail in the findings. 
Absolute distance
The distance that can be measured with a standard unit length, such as mile or kilometer. 
Absolute location
Exact location of a place on the earth described by Global coordinates.
Dot distribution map
A map with dots are used to demonstrate the frequency or intensity of a particular phenomena.
Satellite navigation system
A portable device that uses GPS to block the users position.
Relative distance
Approximate measurement of the physical space between two places
Relative location
The position of a place in relation to another place
Map projection
A way of Representation of the spherical earth on a surface or map
Concentration
A distribution property that is the extent of a feature spread over space, relating to clustering and dispersal.
Distance decay 
The effects of distance on interaction, generally the greater the distance the less the interaction.
Formal regions
Also called uniform regions, an area that has striking similarities in terms of one or a few physical cultural features.
Functional region
A region defined by the particular set of activities or interactions that occur within it.
Landscape analysis
The process of describing an interpreting the landscape ecology Of an area.
Mental map
An internal representation of a portion of earths surface based on what an individual knows about the place, containing personal impressions of what is in a place and where places are located.
Qualitative data
Describes, characteristics, approximates, Descriptions, based off opinion.
Quantitive data
Data associated with mathematical models and statistical techniques used to analyze spatial location and association
Spacial
Relating to or occupying space
Space – time compression
The reduction in time it takes to diffuse something to a distant place as a result of improved communications and transportation systems.
Reference maps
Maps that show the absolute location of places and Geographic features determined by a frame of reference, typically latitude and longitude.
Remote sensing
The acquisition of data about earth’s surface from a satellite orbiting the planet or another long – distance methods.
Cartogram
A map on which Statistical information is shown in Diagrammatic form.
GIS (Geographic information system)
A computer system that stores, organizers, analyzes, and displays geographic data.
Geospatial
Relating to or denoting data that is associated with a particular location.
Isoline map
A thematic map with colors and not political boundaries.
Globalization
Actions or processes That involve the entire world and result in making something worldwide in scope.
Thematic map
A type of map that displays one or more variables–Such as population, income level – within a specific area.
