AP Human Geography Unit One: Key Concepts

Introduction

• Presenter: Steve Heimler
• Focus: Simplifying the understanding of geographic data and concepts for exam preparation.

Importance of Maps

• Geographic Data Representation
  • Maps as crucial tools for analyzing spatial patterns.
• Spatial Patterns
  • Related to the location of features on Earth's surface.
  • Examples include mountains, highways, or demographics.
• Absolute vs. Relative Distance
  • Absolute: Measured physically (inches, feet, miles, kilometers).
  • Relative: Cultural, social, or political differences between locations.
• Absolute vs. Relative Direction
  • Absolute: North, south, east, west.
  • Relative: Directional relation between two locations.
• Clustering and Dispersal
  • Clustering: Phenomena close together.
  • Dispersal: Phenomena spread out.
• Elevation
  • Measured via isoline maps.

Map Features

• Scale
  • Ratio or bar representation of distance on maps.
  • Large scale: Zoomed in, more detail.
  • Small scale: Zoomed out, less detail.
• Direction
  • Indicated by a compass rose.

Types of Maps

Reference Maps

• Show specific geographic locations (e.g., road maps, topographical maps).

Thematic Maps

• Display geographic information spatially.
• Choropleth Maps: Use colors to show data.
• Dot Distribution Maps: Use dots to display data locations.
• Graduated Symbol Maps: Use symbols of varying sizes for data representation.
• Isoline Maps: Use lines to indicate data changes.
• Cartograms: Distort shapes to display data differences.

Map Projections

• Mercator Projection: True direction, distorted land masses.
• Peters Projection: Accurate land size, distorted shapes.
• Polar Projection: True direction from poles, edge distortion.
• Robinson Projection: Compromise projection, equal distortion.

Geographic Data

• Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data
  • Quantitative: Numerical data.
  • Qualitative: Descriptive data.
• Data Collection
  • Individuals and organizations gather data.
  • Methods include geospatial technologies (GPS, GIS, remote sensing) and written accounts (field observation, media reports).

Geographic Decision Making

• Using Data
  • Individuals, businesses, and governments use data for decision making.
  • Examples include travel planning, business locations, and government policy.

Geographic Concepts

• Absolute and Relative Location
  • Absolute: Exact coordinates (latitude and longitude).
  • Relative: Location compared to another.
• Space and Place
  • Space: Physical characteristics.
  • Place: Meaning attributed by people.
• Flows
  • Patterns of interaction between locations.
• Distance Decay
  • Less connection as distance increases.
• Time-Space Compression
  • Decreased time or cost between places.
• Patterns
  • Random, linear, dispersed arrangements of phenomena.

Human-Environment Interaction

• Use of Resources
  • Renewable vs. non-renewable resources.
• Sustainability
  • Study of resource use and environmental impact.
• Land Use
  • Built environment and cultural landscape.

Theories of Interaction

• Environmental Determinism
  • Environment shapes culture.
• Possibilism
  • Humans shape culture within environmental opportunities.

Scales of Analysis

• Global, Regional, National, Local
  • Varying sizes of data sets for analysis.
  • Larger scale: More detail; Smaller scale: Less detail.

Types of Regions

• Formal Region
  • Linked by common traits.
• Functional Region
  • Organized around a central node.
• Perceptual Region
  • Defined by shared beliefs and feelings.
• Contested Boundaries
  • Regions with disputed borders.