AP HuG

• Human Geography


  • Study of people AND places
  • How we make places
  • How we organize space and society
  • How we interact with each other in places and across spaces
  • How we make sense of others and ourselves in our localities, regions, & the world
• Types of maps


  • Reference maps
  • Thematic maps
• Reference maps


  Maps used to show landforms and/or places
• Types of reference maps

  • Physical map
  • Political map
• Physical map


  Reference map that shows identifiable natural landmarks such as mountains, rivers, oceans, elevation
• Political map


  Reference map that shows political boundaries e.g. countries, cities, capitals, etc.
• Thematic maps


  Maps used to display specific types of information (theme) pertaining to an area
• Types of thematic maps

  • Cartogram
  • Choropleth map
  • Dot density map
  • Graduated symbols map (proportional symbols map)
• Cartogram


  Thematic map that shows statistical data by transforming space
• Choropleth map


  Thematic map that uses shading or coloring to show statistical data
• Dot density map


  Thematic map that uses dots to indicate a feature or occurrence
• Graduated symbols map (proportional symbols map)


  Thematic map that indicates relative magnitude of some value for a geographic region in which the symbol varies in proportion to data
• Types of spatial patterns represented on maps

  • Absolute distance
  • Relative distance
  • Absolute direction
  • Relative direction
• Absolute distance


  Measurement using a standard unit of length e.g. mile, kilometer
• Relative distance


  Measurement of the social, cultural, and/or economic connectivity between places (how connected or disconnected)
• Absolute direction


  Finding a location using compass direction e.g. north, south, east, west
• Relative direction


  Finding a location not using compass direction e.g. left, right, forward, backward, up, down
• Spatial pattern


  The way things are laid out and organized on the surface of the Earth
• Types of spatial patterns

  • Clustering
  • Dispersal
  • Elevation
• Clustering


  Objects that form a group e.g. coastal population
• Dispersal


  Objects that are scattered e.g. rural population
• Elevation


  Height above sea level
• Spatial scale


  Hierarchy of spaces
• Spatial scale example


  • Global: in the world
  • Regional: in North America
  • National: in Canada
  • Local: in Quebec
• Map projections inevitably distort spatial relationships in shape, area, distance, and direction
• Map distortion


  All maps are distorted as a result of projecting a 3-dimensional surface onto a 2-dimensional surface in area, distance, shape, and/or direction
• Map projection


  A way to transfer the 3-dimensional earth onto a 2-dimensional map to reduce distortion in area, distance, shape, and/or direction
• Data may be gathered in the field by organizations or by individuals
• Geographic data


  Information that identifies the geographic location of features and boundaries on earth (natural and constructed)
• Geospatial technologies


  Technology that provides geographic data that is used for personal (navigation), business (marketing), and governmental (environmental planning) purposes
• GIS (Geographic Information System)


  • Map created by a computer that can combine layers of spatial data
  • Data is displayed and analyzed to gain insights into geographical patterns/relationships
• GIS examples

  • Vulnerability of the Florida Aquifer
  • School boundaries
  • Crime rates
• Satellite navigation systems

  System of satellites that provide geo-spatial positioning
• Satellite navigation system example

  • GPS
• Remote sensing


  Collecting data with instruments that are distant from the area of study
• Types of Remote Sensors

  • Satellites
  • Planes
  • Aircraft
  • Spacecraft
  • Ships
  • Buoys
• Uses of Remote Sensing

  • Track storm systems
  • Search for natural resources
  • Military surveillance
  • Monitor volcanoes
  • Monitor deforestation/glacier melting
• Online mapping and visualization

  Compilation and publication of web sites that provide graphical and text information in the form of maps/visuals
• Online mapping and visualization example

  • Homicide statistics
• Spatial information can come from written accounts