AP Human Geography Key Terms: Chapter 1

Map Projection

A systematic method of transferring a spherical surface to a flat map

Dot Map

A thematic map in which a dot represents some frequency of the mapped variable

Choropleth Map

A thematic map in which ranked classes of some variable are depicted with shading patterns or colors for predefined zones

Proportional Symbol Map

A thematic map in which the size of the steeple berries in proportion to the frequency or intensity of the mapped variable

Isoline Map

A thematic map with lines that connect points of equal value

Map

A two-dimensional graphical representation of the surface of the earth (or the events that occur on it)

Region

An area characterized by similarity or by cohesiveness that sets it apart from other areas (the third theme of geography)

Legend

An explanatory list of symbols in the map which usually appear in a box in a lower corner

Human-Environmental Interactions

The ways in which human society in the natural environment affect each other (the fifth theme of geography)

Geographic Information System (GIS)

A computer hardware and software system that handles geographically reference data. A GIS uses and produces maps and has the ability to perform many types of spatial analysis

Reference Maps

A general-purpose map that shows recognizable landmarks, roads, and political units

Thematic Maps

A map that demonstrates a particular feature or a single variable; there are four thematic maps: dot maps, choropleth maps, proportional symbol maps, and isoline maps

Simplification

Elimination of an important detail on maps and retention and possibly exaggeration and distortion of important information, depending on the purpose of the map

Primary Data

Information collected directly by the researchers or their equipment without any intermediary which can include surveys, interviews, patience, or measurements obtained in the field

Secondary Data

Information obtained indirectly from another source that was previously collected, processed, and made available to a larger audience

Spatial Data

Information that has a geographical or locational component

Human Geography

The study of the distribution of humans and their activities on the surface of the earth and of the processes that generate these distributions

Location

The absolute position of something on the surface of the earth and it's relative proximity to other related things (the first theme of geography)

Movement

The flow of people, goods, money, ideas, or materials between locations near or far (the fourth theme of geography)

Aggregation

The level of detail for dividing a thematic map into geographic units, ranging from a course division (e.g., countries) to a fine division (e.g., zip codes)

Place

The local human and physical characteristics that uniquely define a place and give it meaning to its inhabitants (the second theme of geography)

Map Scale

The ratio of map distance to earth distance, measured in the same units