AP Human Geography Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is Absolute Distance?

Is based on a person's perceived separation between points

Is an exact measure of separation between two points using a standard (correct)

Is a type of map representation

Is a relative measure based on time

Define Relative Location.

Describes a place's location in terms of its relationship to places around it.

What does Accessibility refer to?

A political boundary

The connectivity of services

The ease of reaching a destination (correct)

The physical distance between two points

What are Administrative Regions?

Politically determined boundaries with hierarchical or nested structures. Signup and view all the answers

What does Aggregation refer to in geography?

The size of units under investigation Signup and view all the answers

What is an Azimuthal Projection?

A planar projection that represents a flat piece of paper placed on a globe. Signup and view all the answers

What are Barriers to Diffusion?

Objects or beliefs that inhibit interaction Signup and view all the answers

What are Cartograms used for?

To transform space so that areas are represented proportionately according to some data. Signup and view all the answers

Define Cartography.

The art and science of making maps. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Cartographic Scale?

The ratio between distance on a map and actual distance on the earth's surface. Signup and view all the answers

What are Choropleth Maps?

Maps that use colors or tonal shadings to represent categories of data for geographic areas. Signup and view all the answers

What are Cognitive Maps?

A dynamic internal representation of a place or environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are Cognitive/Perceptual/Vernacular Regions?

Regions defined by informal organization of places in people's minds. Signup and view all the answers

What does Concentration refer to in spatial distributions?

When objects or features appear in close proximity to one another. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Absolute vs Relative vs Cognitive Distance

Absolute Distance: Measured using standard units (e.g., inches, meters, miles).
Relative Distance: Describes separation using meaningful measures like travel time, contingent on transportation mode.
Cognitive Distance: Based on personal perception of distance; may differ from actual distance perceived by individuals.

Absolute vs Relative Location

Absolute Location: Precise placement on Earth's surface, identified by latitude and longitude.
Relative Location: Describes a place's position regarding its surroundings; frequently used in everyday language.

Accessibility

Defined as the ease of reaching a destination for people, goods, or ideas.
High accessibility results from strong connectivity and multiple means of interaction.

Administrative Regions

Politically defined regions with exact boundaries.
Exhibit hierarchical organization (e.g., states within countries, counties within states).

Aggregation

Refers to the scale of the unit of analysis (e.g., cities, states).
The level of aggregation affects data representation and map purpose; state-level data yields different insights than county-level data.

Azimuthal Projection

A type of map projection formed by placing a flat surface on a globe and projecting surrounding areas.
Usually centers on a pole, giving a unique perspective of Earth.

Barriers to Diffusion

Elements that hinder the spread of phenomena include:
- Physical Barriers: Natural obstacles like mountains and rivers.
- Sociocultural Factors: Cultural differences or societal norms affecting interactions.
- Psychological Barriers: Fear or ignorance that prevents engagement with certain groups or locations.

Cartograms

Maps that adjust size of political units based on data values, altering area representation to illustrate comparative patterns.
Example: U.S. electoral votes shown both large and small states differently in relation to influence.

Cartography

The discipline focused on map creation, blending art and science.
Cartographers aim for maps that elegantly and accurately represent spatial information.

Cartographic Scale

Refers to the ratio of map distance to real-world distance, essential for understanding map context.

Choropleth Maps

Use color and shading to visualize data categories for geographic areas, commonly represented as polygons.

Cognitive Maps

Internal and dynamic mental representations of spatial environments or places.

Cognitive/Perceptual/Vernacular Regions

Informal categorizations of places based on people's mental organization and understanding.

Concentration

Describes spatial distribution where objects are in close proximity, indicates clustered arrangements of features.

Description

Explore key concepts in AP Human Geography with this flashcard quiz. Understand the differences between absolute, relative, and cognitive distance, crucial for spatial analysis. Perfect for exam preparation or quick revision before tests.