Overview
This lecture covers essential vocabulary and core concepts from Unit 1 of Human Geography, focusing on spatial concepts, map types, economic systems, and diffusion.
Distribution and Spatial Concepts
- The three types of distribution are density, concentration, and pattern.
- Density: number of things divided by the measurement of area.
- Concentration: how closely objects are packed together.
- Pattern: geometric arrangement of objects in space.
- Spatial distribution: how a phenomenon is arranged across Earth's surface.
- Spatial interaction: flow of goods, people, or information among places.
Location and Distance
- Absolute location: exact position on an objective coordinate system.
- Relative location: position compared to another landmark.
- Absolute distance: quantitative units between two places (miles, kilometers).
- Relative distance: described using qualitative, non-traditional measurements (e.g., "one hour north").
- Friction of distance: effort needed to overcome physical distance.
- Distance decay: interaction between two places decreases as distance increases.
Regions and Maps
- Formal region: area based on measurable, documented criteria (e.g., government boundaries).
- Functional region: area organized around a central node.
- Vernacular region: area perceived as a region based on people's beliefs.
- Reference map: shows locations of places.
- Thematic map: displays information about a specific topic.
- Scale: relationship between ground distance and map distance.
- Scale of analysis: how zoomed in or out data is viewed.
- Projection: method to display 3D Earth on a 2D map.
Human-Environment Interaction
- Environmental determinism: belief that physical environment shapes societies' strengths.
- Environmental possibilism: environment plays a role, but is not the only factor in development.
- Sustainability: meeting current needs without depleting resources for the future.
- Cultural landscape: visible changes people make to the environment.
Diffusion and Cultural Transmission
- Diffusion: spread of a feature or idea from its origin.
- Contagious diffusion: spreads rapidly and widely, like a virus.
- Hierarchical diffusion: spreads from authority figures to others.
- Stimulus diffusion: spreads, but is altered by adopters.
- Relocation diffusion: physical spread by people moving.
- Expansion diffusion: trend spreads outward from origin.
- Hearth: original source of a culture or idea.
Geographic Tools and Techniques
- Cartography: science/art of map-making.
- GIS: software for geographic data analysis.
- GPS: uses satellites to determine locations.
- Remote sensing: collecting Earth data via aircraft/satellites.
- Geospatial: refers to data linked to specific locations.
Economic Systems
- Capitalism: trade/industry controlled by private owners, limited government involvement.
- Communism: all trade/industry collectively owned by the state.
- Socialism: mix of state and private ownership of trade/industry.
Additional Key Concepts
- Globalization: increased worldwide connections and activities.
- Infrastructure: facilities needed for a society to function, like roads and schools.
- Natural resource: physical material valued and needed by people.
- Uneven development: unequal distribution of people, resources, and wealth.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Case study — detailed observation of a group in a specific area.
- Qualitative data — subjective, descriptive, opinion-based information.
- Quantitative data — objective, measurable, number-based information.
- Toponym — place name.
- Temporal — relating to time.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize all Unit 1 vocabulary terms.
- Practice using different map types and identifying real-world examples of diffusion.
- Complete any assigned readings or additional practice on spatial concepts.