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AP Human Geography Key Concepts

Sep 5, 2025

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Overview

This lecture summarizes the key concepts of Unit 1 in AP Human Geography, focusing on map types, data collection, spatial concepts, scale, and regional analysis.

Map Types and Projections

  • All map projections distort the globe in direction, shape, area, or distance.
  • Mercator projection preserves direction but distorts size, especially near the poles.
  • Goode Homolosine projection preserves size and shape, distorts distance and direction.
  • Robinson spreads distortion evenly, minimizing extremes but distorting all areas slightly.
  • Gall-Peters shows landmass size accurately but distorts shape and direction.
  • Reference maps show boundaries, place names, and features (e.g., topographic maps for elevation).
  • Thematic maps display data patterns (e.g., choropleth, dot density, graduated symbol, isoline, cartogram, flowline).

Geographic Data Collection and Use

  • Remote sensing collects data from satellites.
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyze and display layered spatial data.
  • GPS provides absolute location using satellites.
  • Field observation and personal interviews gather firsthand or subjective data.
  • Media reports, government documents, and travel narratives offer additional perspectives.
  • Photo and landscape analysis help interpret environmental and human impacts.
  • Data types: qualitative (subjective, word-based, e.g., interviews) and quantitative (objective, number-based, e.g., census data).

Scales and Uses of Geographic Data

  • Scale: maps can represent local, regional, national, or global perspectives.
  • Local scale offers detail, global scale reveals broad patterns—detail decreases as scale increases.
  • Governments at various levels use data for planning, services, and lawmaking.
  • Businesses analyze data for market decisions and expansion.
  • Individuals use maps and geospatial data for navigation and comparison.

Key Spatial Concepts

  • Absolute location: exact coordinates (latitude and longitude).
  • Relative location: position in relation to other places.
  • Place: defined by physical (e.g., climate, landforms) and human (e.g., language, religion) characteristics.
  • Sense of place: emotional and personal attachment to a location; placelessness lacks distinct identity.
  • Spatial distribution includes density, concentration (clustered or dispersed), and patterns (e.g., grid, linear).
  • Time-space compression: technology reduces perceived distance; distance decay means interaction decreases with distance.

Human-Environment Interaction

  • Environmental determinism: environment dictates societal development.
  • Environmental possibilism: environment limits society, but humans adapt and modify surroundings.
  • Land use can be agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, or transportational.
  • Natural resources: renewable (can replenish) vs. non-renewable (finite supply); sustainability focuses on responsible resource use.

Scale and Regional Analysis

  • Map scale: small scale is zoomed out (global), large scale is zoomed in (local).
  • Scale of analysis: how data is organized (global, national, regional, local, sub-national).
  • Regions:
    • Formal (uniform): common attributes (e.g., languages, climate).
    • Functional (nodal): centered around a focal point (e.g., cities, airports).
    • Perceptual (vernacular): based on people's perceptions (e.g., "the South").

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Map Projection — method of representing Earth's 3D surface on a 2D map.
  • GIS (Geographic Information System) — computer system for spatial data analysis and mapping.
  • Absolute Location — exact spot on Earth, usually measured by latitude and longitude.
  • Relative Location — location described by its relation to other places.
  • Time-Space Compression — increased connectivity reduces significance of distance.
  • Distance Decay — interaction decreases as distance increases.
  • Environmental Determinism — environment controls societal development.
  • Environmental Possibilism — humans adjust and overcome environmental limits.
  • Scale — the relationship between a distance on a map and the actual distance on Earth.
  • Region — area defined by one or more distinctive characteristics.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Complete the study guide for Unit 1.
  • Take the map quiz and check answers in the review packet.
  • Practice photo and scale analysis as directed in the study guide.
  • Take the Unit 1 practice quiz to prepare for the test.

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