Lecture Notes on AP Human Geography Study Guide

Overview

• AP Human Geography: Study of spatial organization and geographic processes influencing human activity.
• Ethel Wood: Author, focused on the importance of global awareness and spatial perspectives.

Examination Overview

• Exam Format: 75 multiple-choice questions (60 minutes) and 3 free-response questions (75 minutes).
• Topics Covered: Geography's nature, population, cultural patterns, political organization, economic activities, urban land use.
• Multiple-Choice Tips: No penalty for guessing, be aware of question types like "EXCEPT" and "NOT."

Geography as a Field of Study

• Development from Ancient Greeks (geo = earth, graphein = to write).
• Cartography: Science of map-making; evolved significantly from Greek foundations.
• Ptolemy: Estimated Earth's circumference; influenced exploration.

Key Concepts in Geography

• Location: Absolute and relative location (latitude and longitude).
• Space: Physical gap between objects.
• Scale: Relationship between map distances and real-world distances.
• Place: Specific point with distinctive characteristics.
• Pattern and Regionalization: Arrangement of objects, distinct areas categorized based on differences.
• Globalization: Expansion of cultural, economic, and political activities worldwide.

Geographic Skills

• Mapmaking and Spatial Data: Importance of maps in understanding spatial organization.
• GIS and GPS: Tools for capturing and analyzing geographic information, aiding in decision-making and navigation.

Population Geography

• Demography: Study of population distribution, density, growth, and movement.
• Population Density: Arithmetic and physiological densities measure population in relation to land area and arable land.
• Population Growth Models: Examined through demographic transition theory; stages from high birth/death rates to low.

Cultural Geography

• Cultural Determinism and Possibilism: Views on human/environment interaction.
• Language and Religion: Key cultural traits influencing identity; linguistic geography and cultural diffusion.
• Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism: Judging cultures by own standards vs. understanding them by their own.

Political Geography

• State and Nation Concepts: Territoriality, boundaries, sovereignty.
• Boundaries: Types include physical and cultural; influence political relationships.
• Political Systems: Unitary, federal, and confederal forms of government.

Agricultural Geography

• Agricultural Revolutions: From hunting/gathering to Neolithic and modern industrial agriculture.
• Subsistence vs. Commercial Agriculture: Differences in methods, outputs, and impacts on society.

Urban Geography

• Urbanization Trends: Growth patterns, urban hierarchy from hamlet to megalopolis.
• Urban Models: Burgess' concentric zone, Hoyt's sector, and Harris and Ullman's multiple nuclei models.
• Impact of Transportation: Infrastructure shaping urban development and commuting.

Study Tips:

• Focus on understanding geographic concepts and models.
• Practice map analysis and interpretation.
• Familiarize with cultural, political, and economic impacts on spatial organization.