Human Geography Concepts

Formal Regions

• Areas defined by specific criteria that distinguish them from others (physical, cultural, or economic).
• Clear boundaries (political or natural).
• Examples: countries, states, areas with specific cultures (e.g., Spanish-speaking regions of Latin America).
• Areas defined by natural features (e.g., Sahara Desert).

Stateless Nation

• A group of people with a common identity (culture, ethnicity, language, or religion).
• Do not have an independent state or governance over a territory.
• Examples: Kurds (Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria), Palestinians (West Bank and Gaza Strip).

Environmental Determinism

• Theory that the physical environment (climate, geography) shapes human behavior, society, and culture.

Consequent Boundary

• A political boundary drawn based on cultural, ethnic, or linguistic differences between populations.
• Example: boundary between India and Pakistan (separating Hindus and Muslims).

Dependency Ratio

• Compares the number of dependents (children and elderly) to the working-age population (15-64).
• High ratio indicates economic pressure on the working population.

Congressional Districts

• Electoral divisions in which members of the House of Representatives are elected.
• Each state is divided into districts based on population.
• Districts can be redistricted every 10 years.

Gerrymandering

• Manipulating district boundaries to favor a particular group.
• Leads to distorted representation in the legislature.
• Undermines fair representation and democracy.
• Types:
  • Packing: Concentrating voters from one party into a few districts.
  • Cracking: Spreading voters from one party across multiple districts.

Vernacular Regions

• Defined by people's opinions and cultural identity.
• Examples: the South (United States).

Arithmetic Density

• Total population divided by total land area.

Physiological Density

• Number of people per unit of arable land.

Agricultural Density

• Number of farmers per unit of farmland.

Nation-State

• An entity with defined territory, sovereign government, and a population with a common identity.
• Examples: Japan, France.

Cultural Landscape

• The way humans have transformed natural land through cultural practices and technology.
• Reflects the relationship between people and their environment.

Country

• A defined territory with clear borders, a permanent population, a government, and sovereignty.

Political Maps

• Depict government boundaries and cities.

Physical Maps

• Depict natural features.

Thematic Maps

• Show specific themes (climate, population density, economic activities).

Maps Projection

• Ways to represent the Earth's spherical surface on a flat map.
  • Mercator: used for navigation but distorts near the poles.
  • Robinson: minimizes distortion but sacrifices accuracy.
  • Gall-Peters: emphasizes area accuracy but distorts shape.

Demographic Transition Model

• Explains population changes (birth and death rates) as a country develops economically.
• Five stages:
  • High Stationary
  • Early Expanding
  • Late Expanding
  • Low Stationary
  • Declining

Diffusion

• The spread of cultural elements from one area to another.
  • Expansion: Idea spreads from a central point.
  • Contagious: Rapid widespread diffusion of a characteristic.
  • Hierarchical: Spread from large to smaller places or influential figures.
  • Relocation: Ideas carried to new areas by moving people.

Boundaries

• Natural: physical features like rivers
• Political: human-created state or national borders
• Consequent: based on cultural/ethnic differences.
• Superimposed: forcibly drawn without regard to cultural/ethnic distributions.

Sea Boundaries

• Establishing maritime territory and rights.
  • Territorial Sea: Generally 12 nautical miles from a country's coastline.
  • Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Extends 200 nautical miles from the coastline.
  • Continental Shelf

Redistricting

• Process of redrawing voting districts (occurs every 10 years).
• Population counts (census) ensure districts are equal in population.
• State laws guide this process.