Unit 1 Vocab

Question 1

Meridian Longitude

Answer 1

A line of longitude that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole

Example: The Prime Meridian is a meridian of longitude.

Question 2

Cartography

Answer 2

The practice of creating maps

Example: Cartography involves the study of map design and creation.

Question 3

Prime Meridian

Answer 3

The meridian of longitude designated as 0 degrees, from which all other longitudes are measured

Example: The Prime Meridian passes through Greenwich, England.

Question 4

Region

Answer 4

An area defined by one or more distinctive characteristics

Example: The Amazon Rainforest is a region known for its biodiversity.

Question 5

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Answer 5

The mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London

Example: GMT is commonly used as a time reference in geography.

Question 6

Ecosystem

Answer 6

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment

Example: Coral reefs are an example of a marine ecosystem.

Question 7

Formal uniform region

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Functional nodal region

Answer 8

A region organized around a central node or focal point

Example: A city and its surrounding suburbs form a functional nodal region.

Question 9

Pattern

Answer 9

The geometric arrangement of objects in space

Example: The pattern of roads in a city can reflect its historical development.

Question 10

Place

Answer 10

A specific point on Earth distinguished by a particular characteristic

Example: Paris is a place known for its art and culture.

Question 11

Distribution

Answer 11

The arrangement of features in space

Example: The distribution of population in a country can vary widely.

Question 12

Stimulus Diffusion

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Absolute Distance

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Relative Distance

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Clustering

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Lithosphere

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Environmental Determinism

Answer 17

The belief that the physical environment determines human culture and behavior

Example: Environmental determinism was a common theory in early geography.

Question 18

Possibilism

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Atmosphere

Answer 19

The thin layer of gases surrounding the Earth

Example: The atmosphere plays a key role in regulating the Earth’s temperature.

Question 20

Density

Answer 20

The number of things or people in a given area

Example: Population density is often used to compare urban and rural areas.

Question 21

Concentration

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Expansion Diffusion

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Elevation

Answer 23

The height above sea level

Example: The elevation of Mount Everest is over 29,000 feet.

Question 24

Location

Answer 24

The position of a place on the Earth’s surface

Example: Latitude and longitude coordinates determine the location of a specific point.

Question 25

Biosphere

Answer 25

The zone of life on Earth, where living organisms interact with each other and their environment ## Footnote Example: The Amazon Rainforest is part of the biosphere.

Question 26

Toponym

Answer 26

The name given to a place on Earth ## Footnote Example: New York City is a toponym for the city in the state of New York.

Question 27

Climate

Answer 27

The long-term average of weather conditions in a particular area ## Footnote Example: The climate of a region can influence the types of plants and animals that live there.

Question 28

Space

Answer 28

The physical gap or interval between two objects ## Footnote Example: Space can refer to the distance between two cities or the area within a room.

Question 29

Distance Decay

Answer 29

The diminishing importance and eventual disappearance of a phenomenon with increasing distance from its origin ## Footnote Example: The concept of distance decay explains why cultural practices may change as they spread to distant regions.

Question 30

Contagious Diffusion

Answer 30

The rapid, widespread diffusion of a characteristic throughout a population ## Footnote Example: The spread of a viral video on social media is an example of contagious diffusion.

Question 31

Hierarchical Diffusion

Answer 31

The spread of an idea from persons or nodes of authority or power to other persons or places ## Footnote Example: Fashion trends often spread through hierarchical diffusion from celebrities to the general public.

Question 32

Dispersal

Answer 32

The movement of individuals or things away from a central point or location ## Footnote Example: Seed dispersal by wind or animals helps plants spread to new areas.

Question 33

Culture

Answer 33

The shared patterns of learned behavior, attitudes, and knowledge ## Footnote Example: Culture includes language, religion, food, and other aspects of society.

Question 34

Cultural Landscape

Answer 34

The visible imprint of human activity on the landscape ## Footnote Example: The Great Wall of China is a cultural landscape that reflects ancient engineering and defense strategies.

Question 35

Globalization

Answer 35

The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments of different nations ## Footnote Example: Globalization has led to increased trade and cultural exchange between countries.

Question 36

Hearth

Answer 36

The area where an idea or cultural trait originates ## Footnote Example: Mesopotamia is considered a hearth of early civilization.

Question 37

Site

Answer 37

The physical character of a place ## Footnote Example: The site of a city can include factors like elevation, soil quality, and access to water.

Question 38

Relocation Diffusion

Answer 38

The spread of an idea or innovation through physical movement of people from one place to another ## Footnote Example: The spread of Christianity through European colonization is an example of relocation diffusion.

Question 39

Situation

Answer 39

The location of a place relative to other places ## Footnote Example: The situation of a port city can affect its importance for trade and transportation.

Question 40

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Answer 40

A satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information ## Footnote Example: GPS devices use signals from satellites to determine the user's exact position.