AP Human Geography ALL TERMS

Human geography - ANS a branch of geography that focuses on the study of patterns and processes that shape human interaction with the built environment, with particular reference to the causes and consequences of the spatial distribution of human activity on the Earth's surface Physical geography - ANS the study of physical features of the earth's surface Absolute location - ANS The exact position of a place on the earth's surface. Relative location - ANS the location of something in relation to something else Spatial perspective - ANS they way geographers look at everything-- in relation to space Map - ANS a 2D model of the earth or a portion of its surface Mental map - ANS A map which represents the perceptions and knowledge a person has of an area Distribution - ANS the frequency or occurrence of something Pattern - ANS a consistent or characteristic arrangement Formal region - ANS a region marked by uniformity Functional (nodal) region - ANS a group of places linked together by some function's influence on them Perceptual (vernacular) region - ANS a region defined by people's beliefs Remote sensing - ANS technique of obtaining information about objects through the study of data collected by special instruments that are not in physical contact with the objects being analyzed Geographic Information Systems - ANS a computer program that stores geographic data and produces maps to show those data Diffusion - ANS the spread of a culture element or some other phenomena Expansion diffusion - ANS a form of diffusion in which the cultural component spreads outward to new places while remaining strong in its original hearth Relocation diffusion - ANS a form of diffusion that involves the actual movement of the original adopters from their point of origin to a new place Acculturation - ANS occurs when the "weaker" of two cultures adopts traits from the more dominant culture Assimilation - ANS in cultural convergence, this occurs when the original traits of the weaker culuter are completely erased and replaced by the traits of the more dominant culture Transculturation - ANS occurs when two cultures of just about equal power or influence meet and exchange ideas or traits without the domination seen in acculturation and assimilation Contagious diffusion - ANS a form of expansion diffusion in which numerous places or people near the point of origin become adopters Hierarchical diffusion - ANS occurs when the diffusion innovation or concept spreads from a place or person of power or high susceptibility to another ina leveled pattern Independent invention - ANS in which many hearths invent similar innovations without knowing about each other Environmental determinism - ANS the idea that human behavior is controlled by the physical environment Possibilism - ANS the idea that the natural environment places limits on the set of choices available to people Culture - ANS the sum total of the knowledge, attitudes, and habitual behavior patterns shared and transmitted by the members of society Cultural diffusion - ANS the spread of culture Cultural landscape - ANS tangible result of a human group's interaction with its environment Culture hearth - ANS area where innovations in culture began and from which such cultural elements spread Culture trait - ANS a single piece of a culture's traditions and practices Culture complex - ANS a unique combination of culture traits for a particular culture group Culture realm - ANS A cluster of regions in which related culture systems prevail.