APHuG Unit 1: Thinking Geographically
Spatial
Pertaining to space on the Earth's surface; sometimes used as a synonym for geographic.
Spatial Distribution
Physical location of geographic phenomena across space Patterns can be represented through clustering, dispersal, elevation.
sustainability
The ability to keep in existence or maintain. A sustainable ecosystem is one that can be maintained, even if humans are using it. An unsustainable ecosystem is one that is being used faster than it can replenish itself. Example: fossil fuels are unsustainable while solar or wind energy is sustainable 1.5: Concepts of nature and society include sustainability, natural resources, and land use.
Time-Space Compression
The increasing sense of connectivity that seems to be bringing people closer together even though their distances are the same. Ex: Phones/Internet make distance seem not as far. 1.4: Spatial concepts include absolute and relative location, space, place, flows, distance decay, time-space compression, and pattern.
Landscape analysis
The process of describing and interpreting the landscape, topography, climate, etc of an area Has the goal of assessing human's impact on that particular space; ex: erosion on the cross country trail caused by student/citizen use 1.2: Spatial information can come from written accounts in the form of field observations, media reports, travel narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic interpretation.
Diffusion
The process of spread of a feature or trend from one place to another over time; types are relocation and expansion - including contagious, hierarchical, and stimulus
Contagious diffusion
The rapid, widespread diffusion of a feature or trend throughout a population from its hearth (type of expansion diffusion) Ex: new music (global culture) can spread throughout a population without regard for physical geography and does not require physical movement of people
Map Scale
The ratio between the size of an area on a map and the actual size of that area on the Earth. Can be presented with: Ratio/Fraction; Written scale; Graphic scale
Expansion diffusion
The spread of a feature or trend among people from one area to another in an additive process; does NOT require the movement of people; types include contagious, hierarchical, and stimulus Ex: use of social media, such as facebook or twitter
Relocation diffusion
The spread of a feature or trend through bodily movement of people from one place to another. Ex: Ethnic religions, such as Hinduism or Judaism, are found near their hearths and are spread through relocation diffusion.
Stimulus diffusion
The spread of an underlying principle, even though a specific characteristic is rejected Ex: features of Apple's iPhone and iPad have been adopted by competitors; Maharaja Mac in India (no beef)
Reference Maps
These maps show physical characteristics, like topography or elevation. 1.1: Identify the types of information presented in maps and different kinds of spatial patterns and relationships portrayed in maps. Types of maps include reference maps and thematic maps.
Relative Location
Using East, West, North, and South to describe where a point is. Describes a location in relationship to other locations. Uses a mental map; Tells us the importance/value of a place. Ex: Groton, CT is East of New London, West of Stonington, and on the Thames River. 1.4: Spatial concepts include absolute and relative location, space, place, flows, distance decay, time-space compression, and pattern.
Online mapping and visualization
Using the internet as a tool allows for powerful map making possibilities; software allows for different types of maps such as 3D maps or models; "mash-up" 1.2: Geospatial technologies include geographic information systems (GIS), satellite navigation systems (GPS), remote sensing, and online mapping and visualization.
land use
Various ways humans use the land such as agricultural, industrial, residential, or recreational (exactly like it sounds) 1.5: Concepts of nature and society include sustainability, natural resources, and land use.
Media reports
articles published by news papers or magazines 1.2; Spatial information can come from written accounts in the form of field observations, media reports, travel narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic interpretation.
Absolute Direction
A compass direction such as north or south; also includes a direction such as "30 degrees northwest" 1.1: Types of spatial patterns represented on maps include absolute and relative distance and direction, clustering, dispersal, and elevation.
Field observations
A method where you observe people in 'real' locations and situations, such as workplaces, homes, etc. 1.2: Spatial information can come from written accounts in the form of field observations, media reports, travel narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic interpretation.
local (scale)
A spatial scale that is essentially equivalent to a community or small area; gives more detail for that area as opposed to a national or global scale 1.6: Scales of analysis: patterns and processes at different scales reveal variations in, and different interpretations of, data
GIS
Geographic Information System Definition: A collection of computer hardware and software that permits spatial data to be collected, recorded, stored, retrieved, manipulated, analyzed, and displayed to the user. 1.2: Geospatial technologies include geographic information systems (GIS), satellite navigation systems, remote sensing, and online mapping and visualization.
Pattern
Geometric arrangement of objects in space. Ways to describe pattern: Linear, Geometric, Irregular 1.4: Spatial concepts include absolute and relative location, space, place, flows, distance decay, time-space compression, and pattern.
global (scale)
Interactions occurring at the scale of the world, in a global setting. Used to find broad patterns. 1.6: Scales of analysis: patterns and processes at different scales reveal variations in, and different interpretations of, data
national (scale)
Interactions occurring within a nation or state, in a country setting. Used to look at patterns within a country itself. 1.6: Scales of analysis: patterns and processes at different scales reveal variations in, and different interpretations of, data
regional (scale)
Interactions occurring within a region, in a regional setting. 1.6: Scales of analysis: patterns and processes at different scales reveal variations in, and different interpretations of, data
Personal interviews
direct, face-to-face conversation between an interviewer and the respondent 1.2: Spatial information can come from written accounts in the form of field observations, media reports, travel narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic interpretation.
Policy documents
documents that contain information regarding government initiatives, such as urbanization, sewage treatment, population 1.2: Spatial information can come from written accounts in the form of field observations, media reports, travel narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic interpretation.
Flows
generally defined as movement of people and ideas from place to place; can be grouped with diffusion 1.4: Spatial concepts include absolute and relative location, space, place, flows, distance decay, time-space compression, and pattern.
Clustering
like things grouped together in one place or a similar place 1.1: Types of spatial patterns represented on maps include absolute and relative distance and direction, clustering, dispersal, and elevation.
Regional analysis
the component of Human geography that focuses on the differences and similarities between regions. Ex: How the weather formed and shaped the land to alter the personalization of the houses and the peoples culture. Regions are defined on the basis of one or more unifying characteristics or on patterns of activity. 1.7: Regional analysis - Geographers analyze complex issues and relationships with a distinctively spatial perspective.
Distance Decay
the interaction between two locales declines as the distance between them increases. Different activities have different distance decay curves; that is, people travel short distances for everyday goods like milk and bread but travel farther to attend special events such as major concerts or professional sporting events. 1.4: Spatial concepts include absolute and relative location, space, place, flows, distance decay, time-space compression, and pattern.
Hierarchical diffusion
the spread of a feature or trend from one key person or node of authority or power to other persons or places Ex: fashion trends originate in elite areas such as New York, Paris, Milan, etc and spread to suburban or rural areas where they are accessible to more people
Possibilism
the theory that the environment sets certain constraints or limitations, but culture is otherwise determined by social conditions. Largely replaced the environmental determinism theory because of globalization and industrialization Ex: Living in a snowy environment, making a greenhouse to grow fresh vegetables year-round 1.5: Theories regarding the interaction of the natural environment with human societies have evolved from environmental determinism to possibilism.
Elevation
typically indicated on maps as the height of an object above or below sea level 1.1: Types of spatial patterns represented on maps include absolute and relative distance and direction, clustering, dispersal, and elevation.
Functional Region
AKA Nodal Region Definition: A location defined by a central place and the surrounding area which interacts with the central place. Example: New York City subway system map. 1.7: Types of regions include formal, functional, and vernacular; they are transitional and often contested and overlapping.
Vernacular Region
AKA Perceptual Region or Cognitive Region Definition: An area whose inhabitants consider themselves connected through a shared history or event. Examples: New England, The Big Apple, The South. Types of regions include formal, functional, and vernacular; they are transitional and often contested and overlapping.
Formal Region
AKA Thematic regions An area in which everyone shares one or more distinct feature/characteristic. Because of varying membership strength, boundaries are imprecise or vague. A clear line does not always separate one area from another. Change between regions tends to be gradual. Examples: Europe, United States, France, India, Corn Belt, climate regions, language, religion. 1.7: Types of regions include formal, functional, and vernacular; they are transitional and often contested and overlapping.
Travel narratives
Accounts taken during travel to another place, usually from the perspective of someone who is not from that place Examples: pilgrimages to Mecca, Marco Polo traveling to China 1.2: Spatial information can come from written accounts in the form of field observations, media reports, travel narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic interpretation.
Absolute Distance
An exact measure of the separation between two points using a standard measure, such as inches, meters, or miles. Ex: the distance from New London to Griswold is 23 miles 1.1: Types of spatial patterns represented on maps include absolute and relative distance and direction, clustering, dispersal, and elevation.
Relative Distance
Approximate measurement of the physical space between two places. The most common relative distance measure is time, or how long it takes to get from point A to point B, which is typically relative to a person's mode of transportation. Ex: it takes about 28 minutes by car to get from New London to Griswold 1.1: Types of spatial patterns represented on maps include absolute and relative distance and direction, clustering, dispersal, and elevation.
Thematic maps
Communicate information about a place, what is it like there? include choropleth, dot density, isoline, cartogram, and graduated symbolterm-30 1.1: Identify the types of information presented in maps and different kinds of spatial patterns and relationships portrayed in maps. Types of maps include reference maps and thematic maps.
Census Data
Data about a population counted by a government to determine an area's needs; includes how many children attend school, how many have access to medical care, etc. 1.3: Geospatial and geographical data, including census data and satellite imagery, are used at all scales for personal, business and organizational, and governmental decision making purposes.
Place
Definition: A specific point on Earth distinguished by a particular characteristic. term-7 Answers the question - "What it is like there?" Provides a sense of place, perception of place. 1.4: Spatial concepts include absolute and relative location, space, place, flows, distance decay, time-space compression, and patterns.
Region
Definition: An area of Earth defined by one or more distinctive characteristics. Answers the questions, "How and why is one are similar to another? How do the areas differ?" Categorized into: Formal, Functional, Perceptual 1.7: Describe different ways that geographers define regions. Regions are defined on the basis of one or more unifying characteristics or on patterns of activity.
Space
Definition: The physical gap or interval between two objects. Geographers look at space and the arrangement of people and activities found in that space to understand why those people and activities are distributed there. 1.4: Spatial concepts include absolute and relative location, space, place, flows, distance decay, time-space compression, and patterns.
Globalization
Definition: The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale. Example: Social media, expansion of communication via technology.
Absolute Location
Describes the location of a place based on a fixed point. Most commonly uses coordinates (latitude and longitude) Ex: Groton, CT is located at 41.3497° N, 72.0791° W 1.4: Spatial concepts include absolute and relative location, space, place, flows, distance decay, time-space compression, and pattern.
Relative Direction
Directions such as left, right, forward, backward, up, and down based on people's perception of places 1.1: Types of spatial patterns represented on maps include absolute and relative distance and direction, clustering, dispersal, and elevation.
Photographic interpretation
Examining photographs in order to develop a theory about what is being seen (exactly what it sounds like) Ex: looking at a satellite image of the Bahamas to determine the impact of Hurricane Dorian (would need to compare before and after photos) 1.2: Spatial information can come from written accounts in the form of field observations, media reports, travel narratives, policy documents, personal interviews, landscape analysis, and photographic interpretation.
satellite imagery
Images generated at intervals from satellites orbiting the Earth. Can show visible, infrared, shortwave infrared or water vapor images. 1.3: Geospatial and geographical data, including census data and satellite imagery, are used at all scales for personal, business and organizational, and governmental decision making purposes.
Environmental Determinism
How society is shaped by their environment or environmental limitations. This is not a prevalent theory anymore due to globalization and industrialization; may still be found in some parts of the world. Ex: The aridness of the Sahara Desert kept most people from farming and encouraged a nomadic trading lifestyle. 1.5: Theories regarding the interaction of the natural environment with human societies have evolved from environmental determinism to possibilism.
Dispersal
How things (data, people, patterns, phenomena) are scattered in a wide area 1.1: Types of spatial patterns represented on maps include absolute and relative distance and direction, clustering, dispersal, and elevation.
natural resources
Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain 1.5: Concepts of nature and society include sustainability, natural resources, and land use.
Remote Sensing
Remote sensing is the science of obtaining information about objects or areas from a distance, usually a satellite. This is a process of capturing imaterm-8ges form Earth's surface from airborne platforms such as satellites or airplanes. Ex: Measures change in agriculture like a drought. 1.2: Geospatial technologies include geographic information systems (GIS), satellite navigation systems, remote sensing, and online mapping and visualization.
GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS), is an integrated network of satellites that orbit the earth, broadcasting location information, in terms of latitude and longitude, to handheld receivers on the earth's surface. 1.2: Geospatial technologies include geographic information systems (GIS), satellite navigation systems (GPS), remote sensing, and online mapping and visualization.
Map projection
a way of representing the spherical Earth on a flat surface Ex: Mercator, Peters, Robinson 1.1: All maps are selective in information; map projections inevitably distort spatial relationships in shape, area, distance, and size