APHG AMSCO Chapter 2 Key Terms BHS 2021

graduated symbol map

Contain symbols varying in size to show relative quantitative values

GIS (geographic information system)

A computer system that stores, organizes, analyzes, and displays geographic data from multiple digital maps or geospatial data sets.

relative scale

A scale relative to something else, like a ratio. Or, another term for "geographic scale."

subregion

A smaller division of a geographic region.

GPS (global positioning system)

A system that determines the precise position of something on Earth through a series of satellites, tracking stations, and receivers.

road map

Shows mainly roads, but also major highways, airports, and local points of interest.

geographic model

Simplified version of what exists on the earth or what might exist in the future; helps a geographer search for answers to why patterns exist on the earth as they do

regionalization

The process of dividing an area into smaller segments called regions.

formal region

a group of places that have similar attributes, for example, a political region ALSO CALLED uniform region or homogeneous region.

perceptual region

a region defined by popular feelings and/or informal sense of place rather than by objective data. ALSO CALLED vernacular region.

map projection

a way of representing the spherical Earth on a flat surface

Mercator map projection

accurately shows shape and direction, but distorts distance and size of land masses; used for navigation across and ocean

geographic scale

amount of territory that a map represents. For example, global scale is whole earth, local scale is small region

plat map

detailed map illustrating the geographic boundaries of individual lots

dot distribution map

each dot represents an identical unit and conveys data by amount present

Gall-PETERS Projection

equal area projection that shows all land masses in correct size relative to each other but distorts the shape of land masses

nonspatial model

illustrate theories using words, graphs, and tables; often depict change over time

isoline map

map line that connects points of equal or very similar values. Often used for topographic or weather maps.

conic projection

map made by projecting points and lines from a globe onto a cone.

fieldwork

on-location research to gather geographic data

scale of data

scale of map doesn't HAVE to change, but the level of detail in the data would. Also called, "scale of analysis."

locator map

section of a map that shows a larger area than the main map

reference maps

show absolute locations of places and geographic features. EXAMPLES include: political maps, physical maps, road maps, plat maps, locator maps

spatial model

stylized map, illustrate theories about spatial distributions

scale

the relationship between the portion of Earth being studied and Earth as a whole THREE types: cartographic, geographic, scale of data

processes

the repeated sequences of events

remote sensing

the scanning of the earth by satellite or high-flying aircraft in order to obtain information about it.

cartographic scale

the way the map communicates the ratio of its size to the size of what it represents. THREE types: words, ratio, line

cartogram

type of map in which geographers present information about a country based on a set of data other than land area

spatial patterns

ways in which people, places, and characteristics are organized on the Earth's surface. Or, the general arrangement of things being studied

political map

A map showing human-created units such as countries, states, provinces, districts, etc.

thematic map

A map that shows a particular theme. Or, a map that shows specialized information. EXAMPLES include: choropleth maps, dot distribution maps, graduated symbol maps, isoline maps, and cartograms.

physical map

A map that shows natural features such as mountains, hills, plains, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc.

topographic map

A map that shows the surface features of an area.

choropleth map

A map that uses differences in shading or coloring to indicate statistical ranges.

mental map

A map which represents the perceptions and knowledge a person has of an area

qualitative data

Information not usually represented by numbers

quantitative data

Information obtained by counting or measuring

functional region

Organized around a node or focal point and are defined by an activity that occurs across the region. ALSO CALLED nodal region.

Robinson projection

The lines of latitude and longitude almost intersect at right angles except near edges. Oval shape appears more like a globe. Area, size, shape and direction are all slightly distorted.