Overview
This lecture summarizes the major concepts of Unit 1 in AP Human Geography, focusing on map types, data collection, spatial analysis, scales, and regions.
Map Projections and Map Types
- All map projections distort direction, shape, area, or distance because a 3D globe cannot be perfectly shown in 2D.
- Mercator projection preserves direction but distorts size, especially near the poles.
- Goode Homolosine projection preserves landmass size/shape but distorts distance and direction due to interruptions.
- Robinson projection spreads distortion evenly, minimizing overall but not eliminating it.
- Gall-Peters projection shows land sizes accurately but distorts shapes and direction.
- Reference maps show boundaries, place names (toponyms), and features such as elevation (topographic maps use contour lines).
- Thematic maps represent spatial data (e.g., choropleth, dot density, graduated symbol, isoline, cartogram, flowline maps).
Geographic Data Collection and Types
- Remote sensing uses satellites to collect spatial data over time.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyze and display layered spatial data.
- GPS provides absolute location via satellites.
- Field observations, interviews, media reports, government documents, travel narratives, landscape and photo analysis are key data sources.
- Qualitative data is descriptive, subjective, and collected through observation/interviews.
- Quantitative data is numeric, objective, and often from censuses or surveys.
Scale and Uses of Geographic Data
- Changing spatial scale (local, regional, national, global) alters insight and detail—smaller scales are more generalized, larger scales more detailed.
- Governments use data to plan zoning, allocate resources, and make policy at all scales.
- Businesses use geographic data for market planning, store locations, and expansion.
- Individuals use geographic data for navigation, housing decisions, and voting.
Spatial Concepts and Place
- Absolute location uses coordinates (latitude, longitude); relative location describes a place in relation to others.
- Physical characteristics include natural features; human characteristics include culture, language, and demographics.
- Sense of place is the emotional attachment to a location; placelessness is a lack of unique character.
- Spatial distribution includes density (amount in area), concentration (clustering/dispersion), and pattern (arrangement).
- Time-space compression describes increased connectivity due to technology, lessening distance decay (reduced likelihood of interaction with greater distance).
Human-Environment Interaction and Land Use
- Environmental determinism: environment controls societal success (less accepted now).
- Environmental possibilism: environment limits but humans adapt and modify it.
- Land uses: agricultural, industrial, commercial, residential, recreational, and transportation.
- Natural resources: renewable (reusable) and non-renewable (finite); sustainability is meeting needs without harming future generations.
Scale and Regional Analysis
- Scale relates map distance to real-world distance; analysis scale shows how data is organized and presented (global, national, regional, local).
- Small scale maps are zoomed out (general), large scale maps are zoomed in (detailed).
- Regions:
- Formal (uniform) share one or more characteristics.
- Functional (nodal) organized around a central node.
- Perceptual (vernacular) based on people's perception, not strict boundaries.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Distortion — Inaccuracy in direction, shape, area, or distance on a map.
- Reference Map — Shows physical features and boundaries.
- Thematic Map — Displays specific data distributions.
- Remote Sensing — Data collection via satellites.
- GIS — Computer system for spatial data analysis.
- GPS — Satellite-based location technology.
- Qualitative Data — Descriptive, subjective information.
- Quantitative Data — Numerical, objective information.
- Sense of Place — Emotional connection to a location.
- Placelessness — Lack of unique features in a place.
- Time-Space Compression — Increased connectivity due to technology.
- Distance Decay — Reduced interaction likelihood with increasing distance.
- Environmental Possibilism — Human adaptation to environmental limits.
- Scale of Analysis — Level of data organization (local to global).
- Formal Region — Area with common characteristics.
- Functional Region — Area organized around a central functional node.
- Perceptual Region — Area defined by perceptions or beliefs.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Complete and review the study guide using the answer key.
- Take the Unit 1 practice quiz for additional practice.
- Practice photo analysis and scale of analysis tables as suggested.
- Review types of data and map projections for upcoming assessments.