Geography Final

Which of the following is important for determining the quality and accuracy of a map (Check all that apply)

- Determining if the title of the map is consistent with the data actually mapped - Identifying the source and time period of the data used - Critically evaluating the color and design choices of the cartographer - Identifying the data classification scheme that was used and how that could affect the way data are distributed on the map

States of Demographic Transition Model

- Stage 1 (High stationary): High birth rates and high death rates, leading to slow population growth - Stage 2 (Early expanding): High birth rates and decreasing death rates, resulting in rapid population growth - Stage 3 (Late expanding): Declining birth rates, continuing decline in death rates, and moderate population growth - Stage 4 (Low stationary): Low birth rates and low death rates, leading to a stabilized or slow-growing population

Three main ways to look at the world (according to Harm deBlij)

1) Chronologically 2) Systematically 3) Spatially

Pattison's Four Traditions of Geography

1. Spatial (location) 2. Area Studies (region) 3. Man-Land Traditions (H.E.I.) 4. Earth Science (physical geography)

Which of the following is an example of absolute location?

41.003660° N, -76.455446° W

Isthmus of Panama

A narrow strip of land connecting North and South America and separating the Caribbean Sea from the Pacific Ocean

Vernacular Region

A place that people believe exists as part of their cultural identity; not as well-defined as the other two regions, based on people's perceptions, (ex. "the south" in the us)

Functional Region

A region united by a particular function, often economic, also sometimes called nodal regions; not homogeneous, (ex. city and suburbs)

Geography

A systematic study of elements of the physical environment and an analysis of their interrelationships and patterns of world distribution; geographers seek the answer of "where" and "why"; more than just the study of maps

Formal Region

An area or region that shares at least one common characteristic, sometimes also called homogeneous regions, government organizations (ex. states)

All of the following have contributed to the transformation of family and gender roles in Middle and South America, except ______. - women entering the workforce to gain independence outside the home - women entering the workforce to contribute to their family's wealth - an increase in birth or fertility rates - government incentives to attend colleges and universities - women entering politics

An increase in birth or fertility rates

The highest point in the Americas is located in:

Argentina (Andes)

Which of the following statements is the best example of relative location?

Bloomsburg University is half-way between Altoona and Philadelphia

The urban, more developed ____ areas refer to places where most goods and services are exchanged

Core

Middle America

Defined as the area between north and south america (including mexico and some carribeen islands)

To deal with the challenges posed by the midlatitude temperate climate, Europeans have developed a sophisticated system of:

Drainage

Continental Climate

Eastern + Central Europe (Poland, Germany); More extreme temperature variations between summer + winter

Confucian philosophy conflicts with top-down leadership and was therefore repeatedly outlawed by imperial regimes throughout East Asia's history.

False

Due to the presence of gigantic state-run farms, the agriculturally rich North China Plain is sparsely settled.

False

Europe's population pyramid shows a true pyramid shape, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom.

False

T/F: Almost all of the nations of the Caribbean subregion have decided to base their local economy mostly on tourism.

False

T/F: Climate refers to short-term weather patterns and is influenced by a location's latitude, topography, and proximity to water.

False

T/F: Regions, as defined by geographers, have well-defined boundaries

False

T/F: The use of GIS is limited to geographers

False

The European Union is the second largest economy in the world, second only to the United States.

False

In winter, the Mediterranean-type climate is characterized by warm and dry conditions.

False; mild + wet winters

Which statement does NOT accurately describe Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?

GIS is so highly specialized it's often criticized for having limited applicability to other disciplines

GIS

Geographic Information Sciences; a program that uses computers and satellite imagery to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial data

Which of the following is the estimate of the total value of everything produced by a country in a particular year?

Gross Domestic Product

What island country in Middle and South America was devastated by multiple hurricanes, an earthquake, and a cholera epidemic, which also weakened sources of resistance to change?

Haiti

In defining a region, geographers do NOT take into account:

Literary history

Site factors

Location factors related to the cost of factors of production inside the plant, such as land, labor, and capital

Physical Features of Middle and South America

Main types of landforms are highlands and lowlands, lies in the midst of plate tectonics.

Symbols on Maps

Maps have symbols to show different things. ex: blue lines are rivers

What are the two primary branches of geography?

Physical and Human

Why does distortion occur when creating maps?

Representing the spherical Earth on a flat plane results in the distortion of area, shape, distance, and/or direction

Which of the following is the largest of the European peninsulas?

Scandinavian Peninsula

Which feature of the physical environment contributes least to the climate in Middle and South America?

Soil type

Amazon River

South America's longest river and is the largest river in the world in terms of discharge

Mediterranean Climate

Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Greece); Hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters

What phase of the Demographic Transition Model (DTM) has the highest death rates and high birth rates?

Stage 1

"Wonderland" is a fictional country that has a large, highly urbanized population. The country has one of the world's most impressive healthcare systems, which is provided free for all citizens, but families are generally small, with most families only having two children. Which stage of the demographic transition model best describes this country?

Stage 4

________ was a sustained attack on Chinese traditions and cultural practices.

The Cultural Revolution

Han Dynasty

The ________ is the dominant ethnic group in China.

Distance Decay

The effects of distance on interaction, generally the greater the distance the less interaction

What is Absolute Location?

The exact point on Earth and commonly uses specific coordinates like latitude and longitude.

Situation

The location of a place relative to another place

What is Relative Location

The location of a place relative to other places, and we commonly use relative location when giving directions to people

Scale

The ratio between the distance between two locations on a map and the like distance on Earth's surface; refers to ratio (important to know that)

Cartography

The science of making maps; All maps have a purpose, whether it's to guide sailing ships, help students create a more accurate mental map of the world, or tell a story. The map projection, color scheme, scale, and labels are all decisions made by the mapmaker.

Cultural Landscape

The visible imprint of human activity and culture on the landscape

T/F: A choropleth map is commonly used to represent quantitative data with distinct colors or shading patterns in geographic areas (i.e. states, countries).

True

T/F: As discussed in class, boundaries between regions are rarely, if ever, distinct and certain

True

T/F: The work of geographers is similar to other scientists except that they tend to look at problems spatially

True

T/F: When using the phrase scale of analysis, geographers are always referring to the relative size of an area

True

The European Union now plays a role as a global peacemaker and peacekeeper through its association with NATO.

True

The purpose of the EU is to lower barriers to trade and improve mobility of investment capital among member states.

True

Maritime Climate

Western Europe (Uk, Ireland, parts of France); Mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, somewhat small temperature variations between seasons

The physical geography of Europe is BEST described as:

a large peninsula, emerging from the western edge of the Eurasian continent, made up of many smaller peninsulas.

The mountain chain that extends along the western edge of Middle and South America is known as _____ in Mexico and as _____ in South America.

the Sierra Madre; the Andes