AP Human Geography: Unit 1 Summary

Introduction

• Unit 1 covers major concepts in AP Human Geography
• Video accompanied by a study guide available in the Ultimate Review Packet
• Packet includes review videos, quizzes, practice exams, vocab lists, and more resources

Key Concepts

Maps and Map Projections

• Map Distortion: Maps distort direction, shape, area, or distance due to 2D projection of a 3D globe
• Mercator Projection: Accurate direction, used for navigation, but distorts size (e.g., makes Greenland appear larger than Africa)
• Goode Homolosine Projection: Shows true size/shape of landmasses, but distorts distances
• Robinson Projection: Minimizes distortion by spreading it out, more distortion near poles
• Gall-Peters Projection: Accurate landmass size, distorts shape and direction

Types of Maps

• Reference Maps: Informational, showing boundaries, geographic features, and toponyms
  • Topographic Maps: Use contour lines for terrain/elevation
• Thematic Maps: Display spatial patterns using quantitative data
  • Choropleth Maps: Use colors/shades to show data quantity
  • Dot Density Maps: Show distribution with points, can be cluttered
  • Graduated Symbol Maps: Use symbols to show data location/amount
  • Isoline Maps: Connect areas of similar data, often used for weather
  • Cartogram Maps: Dynamic, show data with area size
  • Flowline Maps: Show movement of goods, people, ideas

Geographic Data Collection

• Remote Sensing: Satellite data collection for GIS and thematic maps
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Analyzes and displays geographic data
• Global Positioning System (GPS): Provides absolute location
• Field Observations: First-hand data collection
• Interviews, Media Reports, Government Documents, Travel Narratives: Provide diverse perspectives and data

Types of Data

• Qualitative Data: Subjective, word-based, open to interpretation
• Quantitative Data: Objective, number-based, concrete

Use of Geographic Data

• Different Scales: Local, regional, national, global; change insights gained
• Governments and Data: Use data for planning, policy-making
• Businesses and Data: Use data for customer insights, operational decisions
• Individuals and Data: Use data for personal decisions, understanding

Spatial Concepts

• Absolute vs. Relative Location: Exact coordinates vs. location relative to other places
• Sense of Place vs. Placelessness: Emotional connection vs. lack of identity
• Spatial Distribution: Density, concentration, patterns (grid, linear)
• Time-Space Compression: Technology reduces distance decay impact

Human-Environment Interaction

• Environmental Determinism vs. Possibilism: Environment dictates success vs. humans adapt to environment
• Land Use Patterns: Agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, transportation
• Sustainable Development: Using resources to meet needs without compromising future generations

Scale and Scale of Analysis

• Scale: Distance on map vs. Earth's surface
• Scale of Analysis: Global, national, regional, local; affects data presentation/interpretation

Regional Analysis

• Types of Regions:
  • Formal Regions: Defined by common attributes (political, economic)
  • Functional Regions: Organized around a node (economic activities)
  • Perceptual Regions: Based on opinions, feelings, and beliefs

Conclusion

• Check study guide answers and take practice quiz
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