Human Geography Definitions Flashcards

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What is the definition of Location?

Human society and the natural environment affect each other
The absolute position of something on the surface of the earth and its relative proximity to other related things (correct)
The flow of people, goods, money, ideas or materials between locations near or far
The study of the distribution of humans and their activities on the surface of the Earth

What characteristics uniquely define a Place?

The absolute position of something on Earth
The flow of ideas and materials
The local human and physical characteristics that uniquely define a place (correct)
An area characterized by similarity

What is a Region?

An area characterized by similarity or by cohesiveness that sets it apart from other areas.

What does Movement refer to in human geography?

The flow of people, goods, money, ideas or materials between locations (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are Human Environmental Interactions?

The ways in which human society and the natural environment affect each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is Aggregation in geography?

The level of detail for dividing a thematic map into geographic units (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a Choropleth map?

A thematic map in which ranked classes of some variable are depicted with shading patterns or colors for predefined zones. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of Human Geography?

The study of the distribution of humans and their activities on the surface of the Earth. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Isoline map?

A thematic map with lines that connect points of equal value. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Legend on a map explain?

An explanatory list of symbols in a map usually found in the bottom corner. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Map Projection?

A systematic method of transferring a spherical map to a flat map. Signup and view all the answers

What is Primary data?

Information collected directly by the researchers or their equipment without any intermediary. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Proportional symbol map?

A thematic map in which the size of a symbol varies in proportion to the frequency or intensity of the mapped variable. Signup and view all the answers

What defines Reference maps?

A general purpose map that shows recognizable landmarks, roads, and political units. Signup and view all the answers

What is Secondary data?

Information obtained indirectly from another source that was previously collected. Signup and view all the answers

What is Simplification in map making?

Elimination of unimportant detail on maps while maintaining important information. Signup and view all the answers

What are Spatial data?

Information that has a geographical or locational component. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Core in cultural geography?

The zone of the greatest concentration or homogeneity of the culture trait that characterizes a region. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Cultural landscape?

Modifications to the environment by humans, including built environments and agricultural systems. Signup and view all the answers

What defines Culture?

The shared understandings that guide behavior and values within a group. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Cultural region?

A region defined by similar cultural traits and cultural landscape features. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Culture trait?

A defining characteristic of the culture that is shared by most, if not all, members. Signup and view all the answers

What does Domain refer to in cultural geography?

The area outside of the core of the culture region in which the culture is still dominant but less intense. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Formal region?

An area of near uniformity in one or several characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Functional region?

A region created by the interactions between a central node and surrounding regions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Perceptual region?

An area defined by subjective perceptions that reflect feelings and images about key place characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Vernacular region?

When perceptions come from the local, ordinary folk. Signup and view all the answers

What is Regional identity?

An awareness of being part of a group of people living in a cultural region. Signup and view all the answers

What are Symbols in geography?

A material object that represents some greater meaning or refers to something else. Signup and view all the answers

What is Syncretism?

The fusion of two distinctive cultural traits into a unique new hybrid trait. Signup and view all the answers

What are Adverse consequences?

Negative impacts of environmental change on humans and/or nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Biosphere?

The regions of the Earth's crust and atmosphere occupied by living matter. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Cycle in environmental systems?

A circular flow of energy, materials, or organisms that replenishes the elements of a system. Signup and view all the answers

What is Direct biological interference?

Human-caused alteration of species through removal, redistribution, or modification of living creatures. Signup and view all the answers

What is Energy and material redistribution?

Human-caused alteration of energy or material flows through impoundment, redistribution, or transformation. Signup and view all the answers

What is Environmental change?

Changes in environmental systems caused by an alteration or disruption of natural cycles. Signup and view all the answers

What is Equilibrium in environmental systems?

A balanced state of a system in which stocks and flows are fairly stable or fluctuate within their normal range. Signup and view all the answers

What does Flow movement refer to?

Transformation of energy, materials, or organisms from one stock to another. Signup and view all the answers

What are Human activities in environmental geography?

Things people do that affect the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What are Human Driving forces?

Social and cultural conditions that influence human use and perception of the natural environment. Signup and view all the answers

What does IPAT stand for in human geography?

Impacts (I) are proportional to population (P) x Affluence (A) x Technology (T). Signup and view all the answers

What is Negative feedback?

A cause and effect chain that begins with a change to a stock and ends up reversing the original change. Signup and view all the answers

What does Pollution refer to?

Human introduction of materials into the biosphere that have a negative environmental impact. Signup and view all the answers

What is Population pressure?

Strain on the natural and economic resources that occurs when the needs of a large or rapidly growing population cannot be met. Signup and view all the answers

What is Positive feedback?

A cause and effect chain that begins with a change to a stock and ends up amplifying the original change. Signup and view all the answers

What are Renewable resources?

Resources that can be used and restored after use or that have unlimited supply. Signup and view all the answers

What are Solutions in environmental geography?

Efforts to solve environmental problems. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Stakeholder?

An individual or group with a strong interest or stake in how an issue is decided. Signup and view all the answers

What is Stock in environmental systems?

Amounts of energy, materials, or organisms that exist in a system. Signup and view all the answers

What is Sustainable development?

Providing for the needs of the present without diminishing the options of future generations. Signup and view all the answers

What is a System in geography?

A set of elements along with the connections between them that form a whole unit and work together. Signup and view all the answers

What is Geomorphology?

The scientific study that analyzes and describes the origin, evolution, form, classification, and spatial distribution of landforms. Signup and view all the answers

What is Historical Geography?

The branch of human geography that focuses on the changes in geographic themes over time. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ptolemy?

He wrote 'Geographia' around 150 AD. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mercator?

He created the Mercator chart, a cylindrical map projection in 1569. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Alexander Von Humboldt?

He played a huge role in colonialism and exploration of South America in the 1800s. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Dr. Snow?

He is known for creating a cholera map in 1854. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ellen Semple?

She is known for her work in environmental determinism in 1900. Signup and view all the answers

What is Environmental determinism?

The view that the environment controls the course of human action. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Carl Sauer?

He is known as the father of cultural geography and founded the Berkley School in 1920. Signup and view all the answers

What is Cultural possibilism?

The concept that culture defines geography and impacts culture. Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Human Geography Key Terms

Location: Refers to both absolute and relative position of a place on Earth's surface, influencing geographic context.
Place: Unique human and physical attributes that define a location's identity and significance to its inhabitants.
Region: Areas grouped by similarity or cohesiveness that distinguish them from others.
Movement: The migration of people, goods, ideas, and materials across various distances.
Human-Environment Interactions: The reciprocal effects between human activities and natural surroundings.
Aggregation: The granularity of geographic data, from broad categories (e.g., countries) to precise details (e.g., zip codes).

Mapping Concepts

Choropleth Map: A thematic representation where regions are shaded based on a specific variable's categories.
Dot Map: Each dot represents a frequency of the variable depicted, highlighting distribution patterns.
Geographical Information System (GIS): Technology enabling the management and analysis of spatially referenced data.
Isoline Map: Maps using lines to connect points of equal value, showcasing gradient changes.
Symbol Maps: Proportional symbol maps vary symbol size based on data frequency or intensity.
Reference Maps: General maps displaying physical features, landmarks, and political boundaries.

Data Types

Primary Data: Firsthand information gathered by researchers, such as surveys or field measurements.
Secondary Data: Information collected previously and made available by other sources for analysis.
Spatial Data: Data that includes a geographical component, often visualized through maps.

Cultural Geography

Cultural Landscape: Human-driven alterations to the environment revealing cultural practices through architecture and agriculture.
Culture: Shared norms and values transmitted through generations, influencing worldview and behavior.
Cultural Region: Areas identified by shared cultural traits and landscape features.
Culture Trait: Distinctive elements shared broadly among a culture's members.
Domain and Core: The zone of cultural dominance (core) and the surrounding area where cultural traits are present but diluted (domain).

Regional Distinctions

Formal Region: Areas with consistent characteristics across certain attributes.
Functional Region: Regions based on the interaction of a central node and its periphery.
Perceptual Region: Defined by personal perceptions and stereotypes of an area, influenced by feelings.
Vernacular Region: Areas recognized based on local perspectives and vernacular language.

Environmental Concepts

Biosphere: Earth's ecosystems where living organisms exist, encompassing various habitats.
Human Activities: Actions that impact environmental conditions, often leading to changes.
Sustainable Development: Meeting present needs without compromising future generations' opportunities.

Theoretical Frameworks

Environmental Determinism: The belief that environmental conditions shape human activities and decisions.
Cultural Possibilism: Contrasting theory suggesting that culture shapes human adaptations to the environment.

Influential Figures in Geography

Ptolemy (150 AD): Authored "Geographia," shaping early geographic thought.
Mercator (1569): Developed a cylindrical map projection, crucial for navigation.
Alexander Von Humboldt (1800): Significant for contributions during the age of exploration, particularly in South America.
Dr. Snow (1854): Noted for creating a cholera map that identified disease patterns.
Ellen Semple (1900): Prominent advocate of environmental determinism.
Carl Sauer (1920): Father of cultural geography, promoted the idea of cultural possibilism.

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