AP Human Geography - Unit 1 Summary

Introduction

• Review of major concepts from Unit 1 of AP Human Geography
• Study guide available in the Ultimate Review Packet

Map Projections and Distortions

• Distortion Types: Direction, shape, area, distance
• Three-dimensional to two-dimensional projection causes distortion

Mercator Projection

• Conformal projection
• Accurate direction
• Significant size/location distortion (e.g., Greenland vs. Africa)

Goode Homolosine Projection

• Equal area pseudo-cylindrical projection
• True size and shape of land masses
• Distortion in distances near edges
• Interrupted map (removes parts of the globe)

Robinson Projection

• More distortion near poles
• Preserves size and shape of land maps
• Spreads distortion across the entire map

Gall-Peters Projection

• Accurate size of land masses
• Significant shape and direction distortion

Types of Maps

• Reference Maps: Informational, show boundaries and geographic features
• Thematic Maps: Display spatial patterns using quantitative data

Reference Maps

• Topographic maps: Use contour lines for terrain and elevation changes

Thematic Maps

• Choropleth Maps: Use colors/shades to show data quantities
• Dot Density Maps: Use points to show data occurrence
• Graduated Symbol Maps: Use shapes/symbols to show data location and amount
• Isoline Maps: Use lines to connect areas with equal data
• Cartogram Maps: Data shown dynamically, greatest value as largest area
• Flowline Maps: Show movement of goods, people, services, ideas

Geographic Data Collection and Categorization

• Remote Sensing: Collecting info from satellites
• GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Computer systems to collect, analyze, and display geographic data
• GPS (Global Positioning System): Provides absolute location
• Field Observations: First-hand observations
• Interviews: Collect unique perspectives
• Media Reports: Insights from news sources
• Government Documents: Show cultural values and priorities
• Travel Narratives: Personal perspectives from visitors or residents
• Landscape and Photo Analysis: Study images to understand environmental impacts

Types of Data

• Qualitative Data: Word form, subjective, collected through observations/interviews
• Quantitative Data: Number form, objective, collected by official counts like censuses

Uses of Geographic Data

• Local Scale: Zoning, population planning
• Regional Scale: Allocating state funds, infrastructure projects
• National Scale: Federal laws and programs
• Global Scale: Addressing global issues, UN interventions
• Business Use: Customer needs, operation analysis, market expansion
• Individual Use: Navigation, comparing regions, political decisions

Scales of Analysis

• Global Scale: General patterns without country boundaries
• National Scale: Data organized by countries
• Regional Scale: Data organized by regions within countries
• Local Scale: Detailed data organized by smaller units like counties
• Changing Scales: Different insights, more general data at larger scales, more detailed data at smaller scales

Regional Analysis

• Formal Regions: Defined by common attributes (e.g., political boundaries, physical features)
• Functional Regions: Organized around a node or center (e.g., airports, radio stations)
• Perceptual Regions: Defined by opinions and beliefs (e.g., The Middle East)

Human-Environment Interaction

• Environmental Determinism: Environment dictates societal success
• Environmental Possibilism: Environment limits but humans adapt
• Land Use Patterns: Agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, transportational
• Natural Resources: Renewable vs. non-renewable
• Sustainability: Using resources without compromising future generations

Summary

• Review the study guide and take the unit practice quiz
• Understanding concepts of scale, map types, data collection, and geographic analysis is crucial for excelling in AP Human Geography