Unit 1 Vocab Flashcards
Meridian Longitude
A line of longitude that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole
Example: The Prime Meridian is a meridian of longitude.
Cartography
The practice of creating maps
Example: Cartography involves the study of map design and creation.
Prime Meridian
The meridian of longitude designated as 0 degrees, from which all other longitudes are measured
Example: The Prime Meridian passes through Greenwich, England.
Region
An area defined by one or more distinctive characteristics
Example: The Amazon Rainforest is a region known for its biodiversity.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
The mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London
Example: GMT is commonly used as a time reference in geography.
Ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment
Example: Coral reefs are an example of a marine ecosystem.
Formal uniform region
A region defined by a common characteristic, such as language or climate
Example: The Sahara Desert is a formal uniform region due to its arid climate.
Functional nodal region
A region organized around a central node or focal point
Example: A city and its surrounding suburbs form a functional nodal region.
Pattern
The geometric arrangement of objects in space
Example: The pattern of roads in a city can reflect its historical development.
Place
A specific point on Earth distinguished by a particular characteristic
Example: Paris is a place known for its art and culture.
Distribution
The arrangement of features in space
Example: The distribution of population in a country can vary widely.
Stimulus Diffusion
The spread of an underlying principle, even though a specific characteristic is rejected
Example: The adoption of yoga in Western countries is an example of stimulus diffusion.
Absolute Distance
The distance that can be measured with a standard unit of length
Example: The absolute distance between two cities can be calculated in miles or kilometers.
Relative Distance
The distance between two places based on time, cost, or other factors
Example: The relative distance between two cities can be determined by travel time or transportation options.
Clustering
The grouping of similar or related features in an area
Example: The clustering of tech companies in Silicon Valley is an example of economic clustering.
Lithosphere
The rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle
Example: The lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates that move over the asthenosphere.
Environmental Determinism
The belief that the physical environment determines human culture and behavior
Example: Environmental determinism was a common theory in early geography.
Possibilism
The belief that the physical environment may limit some human actions, but people have the ability to adjust and overcome those limitations
Example: Possibilism suggests that humans can adapt to environmental challenges.
Atmosphere
The thin layer of gases surrounding the Earth
Example: The atmosphere plays a key role in regulating the Earth’s temperature.
Density
The number of things or people in a given area
Example: Population density is often used to compare urban and rural areas.
Concentration
The extent of a feature’s spread over space
Example: The concentration of fast-food restaurants in a city center is higher than in residential neighborhoods.
Expansion Diffusion
The spread of a feature from one place to another in a snowballing process
Example: The global popularity of sushi is an example of expansion diffusion.
Elevation
The height above sea level
Example: The elevation of Mount Everest is over 29,000 feet.
Location
The position of a place on the Earth’s surface
Example: Latitude and longitude coordinates determine the location of a specific point.
Biosphere
The zone of life on Earth, where living organisms interact with each other and their environment
Example: The Amazon Rainforest is part of the biosphere.
Toponym
The name given to a place on Earth
Example: New York City is a toponym for the city in the state of New York.
Climate
The long-term average of weather conditions in a particular area
Example: The climate of a region can influence the types of plants and animals that live there.
Space
The physical gap or interval between two objects
Example: Space can refer to the distance between two cities or the area within a room.
Distance Decay
The diminishing importance and eventual disappearance of a phenomenon with increasing distance from its origin
Example: The concept of distance decay explains why cultural practices may change as they spread to distant regions.
Contagious Diffusion
The rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic throughout a population
Example: The spread of a viral video on social media is an example of contagious diffusion.
Hierarchical Diffusion
The spread of an idea from persons or nodes of authority or power to other persons or places
Example: Fashion trends often spread through hierarchical diffusion from celebrities to the general public.
Dispersal
The movement of individuals or things away from a central point or location
Example: Seed dispersal by wind or animals helps plants spread to new areas.
Culture
The shared patterns of learned behavior, attitudes, and knowledge
Example: Culture includes language, religion, food, and other aspects of society.
Cultural Landscape
The visible imprint of human activity on the landscape
Example: The Great Wall of China is a cultural landscape that reflects ancient engineering and defense strategies.
Globalization
The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments of different nations
Example: Globalization has led to increased trade and cultural exchange between countries.
Hearth
The area where an idea or cultural trait originates
Example: Mesopotamia is considered a hearth of early civilization.
Site
The physical character of a place
Example: The site of a city can include factors like elevation, soil quality, and access to water.
Relocation Diffusion
The spread of an idea or innovation through physical movement of people from one place to another
Example: The spread of Christianity through European colonization is an example of relocation diffusion.
Situation
The location of a place relative to other places
Example: The situation of a port city can affect its importance for trade and transportation.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
A satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information
Example: GPS devices use signals from satellites to determine the user’s exact position.
