AP Human Geography Religions

Hearths of Religions

• Hinduism originated in South Asia, primarily in modern-day Pakistan.
• Judaism began in Southwest Asia, specifically the Middle East.
• Sikhism's hearth is located in South Asia, particularly modern India.
• Buddhism emerged from South Asia, also rooted in modern India.
• Christianity's hearth is found in Southwest Asia, within the Middle East.
• Islam originated in Southwest Asia, specifically the Middle East.

Diffusion of Religions

• Hinduism diffused through relocation, with bonded laborers spreading the religion across the British Empire to Africa and England.
• Judaism dispersed via relocation through the Jewish diaspora and the movement inspired by Zionism.
• The Jewish Diaspora occurred during Roman rule when Jews were scattered throughout the Mediterranean.
• Zionism aims to establish a homeland for Jews in Israel.
• Sikhism experienced limited diffusion, primarily relocating to areas like England and the US.
• Buddhism spread contagiously through the Silk Road and maritime trade routes to East and Southeast Asia, with hierarchical diffusion initiated by Emperor Ashoka's conversion.
• Christianity diffused contagiously from its heart to Europe, with hierarchical spread during the Roman Empire, further propagated through European colonialism.
• Islam's diffusion occurred contagiously through trade and conquest, extending to North Africa, Central Asia, and Indonesia.

Current Distribution of Religions

• Hinduism is predominantly found in India and Nepal.
• Judaism is mainly distributed in Israel, Europe, and the USA.
• Sikhism's primary distribution is in the Punjab region of India.
• Buddhism is concentrated in Southeast Asia and Japan.
• Christianity is widely distributed in the USA, Europe, and Latin America.
• Sunni Islam is primarily located in Southwest Asia, North Africa, Central Asia, and Indonesia.

Beliefs and Key Figures

• Hinduism emphasizes reincarnation, where actions determine the next life; key deities include Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
• Judaism has specific dietary restrictions (for example, no pork) and observes Yom Kippur; Abraham is a significant figure.
• Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak.
• Buddhism revolves around the Eightfold Path, an essential teaching from Siddhartha Gautama.
• Christianity centers on Jesus as the savior, with major sects including Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy.
• Islam recognizes Mohammed as the prophet, highlights the Sunni/Shiite split regarding leadership, and mandates the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Dietary restrictions include no pork or alcohol.

Sacred Spaces and Landscapes

• Hinduism features sacred sites such as temples and the ghats of Varanasi on the Ganges River.
• Judaism's sacred spaces include synagogues and the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the holiest site.
• Sikhism's sacred space comprises temples such as the Golden Temple.
• Buddhism's sacred spaces primarily involve various temples.
• Christianity's sacred landscape is characterized by churches.
• Islam features mosques, with the Kaaba in Mecca being a pilgrimage destination and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem as a significant mosque.

Types of Religions

• Ethnic religions include Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism, Confucianism, and Shinto.
• Universalizing religions encompass Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam.
• Monotheistic religions are Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Sikhism.
• Polytheistic religions consist of Hinduism and Shinto.

Religious Distribution in the US

• Catholicism is predominantly found in the West and Northeast regions.
• Protestant Lutherans are primarily located in the Northern region.
• Baptists are largely concentrated in the South/Southeast.
• Mormons are mainly associated with the Midwest, particularly Utah.