Unit 1 - Thinking Geographically Flashcards
Applied Geography
Definition: The practical application of geographic principles to solve real-world problems. Example: Using geographic data to plan urban transportation systems.
Physical Geography
Definition: The study of natural features and processes of the Earth. Example: Examining how rivers shape landscapes.
Site
Definition: The physical characteristics of a place. Example: A city’s site might include its elevation and water access.
Sustainable Development
Definition: Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs. Example: Building wind farms to generate renewable energy.
Human Geography
Definition: The study of human activities and their relationship to the environment. Example: Analyzing migration patterns.
Situation
Definition: A place’s location relative to other places. Example: Paris is centrally situated in France aiding its historical development.
Natural Resources
Definition: Materials found in nature that are used by humans. Example: Coal water and forests.
Space
Definition: The physical gap or interval between two objects. Example: The space between cities on a map.
Direction
Definition: The path along which something lies or moves. Example: North south east and west on a compass.
Environmental Determinism
Definition: The belief that the physical environment determines human behavior.
Spatial Perspective
Definition: Observing geographic phenomena to understand patterns and relationships. Example: Studying how urban development spreads across a region.
Distribution
Definition: The way something is spread out across space. Example: Mapping the global distribution of rainfall.
Possibilism
Definition: The theory that humans can adapt and modify the environment to overcome limitations. Example: Building irrigation systems in arid regions.
Place
Definition: A location with specific physical and human characteristics. Example: The cultural and architectural uniqueness of Venice.
Clustering
Definition: Objects or people grouping together in a specific area. Example: Technology companies clustering in Silicon Valley.
Local
Definition: Relating to a specific small geographic area. Example: Studying neighborhood demographics.
Flow
Definition: The movement of people goods or information. Example: Trade flows between countries.
Dispersal
Definition: The distribution of objects or people over a wide area. Example: The dispersal of settlements in rural areas.
National
Definition: Relating to a country as a whole. Example: A national map showing population density.
Distance Decay
Definition: The decrease in interaction between places as distance increases. Example: Fewer people travel from rural towns to distant cities.
Elevation
Definition: The height above sea level. Example: Denver’s elevation is 5 280 feet.
Region
Definition: An area defined by common characteristics. Example: The Midwest region of the United States.
Map Projection
Definition: A method of representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map. Example: The Mercator projection.
Formal Region
Definition: An area defined by one or more shared traits like language or climate. Example: The Sahara Desert is defined by its arid climate.