Overview
This lecture summarizes the major concepts of Unit 1 in AP Human Geography, focusing on map types, geographic data, spatial concepts, human-environment interactions, scale, and regional analysis.
Map Projections and Types
- All map projections distort direction, shape, area, or distance due to projecting the 3D Earth onto a 2D surface.
- Mercator projection preserves direction but distorts land size, making regions like Greenland appear larger than they are.
- Goode Homolosine projection preserves area and shape but distorts distance, especially near the edges.
- Robinson projection spreads distortion throughout to minimize it but distorts near the poles.
- Gall-Peters projection accurately shows land area but distorts shape and direction.
- Reference maps show boundaries, place names (toponyms), and features; topographic maps use contour lines for elevation.
- Thematic maps display spatial data and patterns (e.g., choropleth, dot density, graduated symbol, isoline, cartogram, flowline).
Geographic Data Collection and Types
- Geographic data can be collected through remote sensing, GIS, GPS, field observations, interviews, media reports, government documents, travel narratives, and landscape/photo analysis.
- GIS (Geographic Information System) creates layered maps to identify spatial patterns.
- GPS provides exact (absolute) location using satellites.
- Qualitative data is subjective, often in word form (opinions, interviews); quantitative data is objective and numerical (census data).
Spatial Concepts and Analysis
- Absolute location uses latitude and longitude; relative location describes a place in relation to others.
- Place includes both physical (natural features) and human (culture, population) characteristics; sense of place is a personal connection to a location.
- Spatial distribution examines density (amount), concentration (clustering), and pattern (arrangement).
- Time-space compression refers to increased connectivity reducing the impact of distance decay.
Human-Environment Interaction
- Environmental determinism claims environment dictates society; possibilism believes people can adapt and overcome environmental limits.
- Land use categories: agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, and transportational.
- Natural resources: renewable (e.g., trees), non-renewable (e.g., oil); sustainability is using resources without compromising future generations.
Scale and Regional Analysis
- Scale is the ratio of map distance to Earth's surface; can be global, national, regional, local, sub-national.
- Scale of analysis refers to how data is organized (global patterns, national by country, regional by districts, local by counties).
- Small-scale maps cover large areas with less detail; large-scale maps cover small areas with more detail.
- Regions: formal/uniform (shared characteristics), functional/nodal (centered around a node), perceptual/vernacular (based on opinions or feelings).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Distortion — alteration of shape, area, distance, or direction on a map projection.
- GIS — computer system collecting, analyzing, and displaying geographic data.
- GPS — satellite-based navigation system for absolute location.
- Qualitative data — non-numeric, subjective information.
- Quantitative data — numeric, objective information.
- Absolute location — exact geographic coordinates.
- Relative location — position relative to other places.
- Sense of place — emotional attachment to a location.
- Time-space compression — increased connectivity that reduces distance barriers.
- Distance decay — interaction decreases as distance increases.
- Environmental determinism — environment controls social development.
- Possibilism — people adapt to and modify their environment.
- Formal region — area with common attributes.
- Functional region — area organized around a central point.
- Perceptual region — area defined by people's perceptions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Complete the study guide and review the answer key.
- Take the Unit 1 practice quiz.
- Practice photo analysis and scale of analysis tables in your study materials.