#AP Human Geography: Unit 1 - Thinking Like a Geographer 🌍

Welcome to AP Human Geography! This unit is all about setting the stage for the rest of the course. Get ready to think like a geographer by asking the "why of where"! Let's dive in!

#🧭 Introduction: The "Why of Where"

Instead of just memorizing facts, we're going to explore why things are located where they are. This is the core of geographic thinking. Here are some examples that we will explore during the year:

• Population: Why are there more people 👱👲👳👴👵👦👧 in China and India than anywhere else?
• Economic Development: Why are some countries wealthy 💰💲 while many others are not?
• Migration: Why do so many migrants 🚶 come from Africa and the Middle East?
• Culture: Why is the English language 🗣 and Christianity ⛪ so dominant throughout the world?
• Globalization: How does the increasing interconnectedness 🔗 of the world 🗺 serve as both a strength and a threat?
• Political: Why does the European Union exist, and why did Great Britain leave the EU?
• Food & Agriculture: Why have Americans become obsessed with organic foods 🍅🍇🍉🍌🍏🍑🍓🌾🌿 in recent years?
• Industry: Why are our clothes, smartphones 📱, and cars 🚙 made in factories 🏭 outside the US?
• Urbanization: Why are the largest cities 🌆 in the world in some of the poorest countries?

#🗺️ Spatial Analysis

This unit introduces the key skills and concepts for spatial analysis. This is how geographers understand the world around them. It's all about location, distance, direction, patterns, and connections.

#🤔 What is Spatial Thinking?

Spatial thinking is the ability to understand and reason about relationships between objects in space. Spatial analysis is the process of using this thinking to analyze data and solve problems. It's used everywhere from geography to computer science and urban planning!

Examples of Spatial Analysis:

• Analyzing population density, land use, or economic activity.
• Designing and analyzing transportation networks (roads, rail, air).
• Modeling complex systems (ecosystems, urban growth, supply chains).
• Visualizing data for decision-making (maps, diagrams).

#📍 Location & Place

Understanding the difference between absolute and relative location is key.

• Absolute Location: Exact coordinates (latitude and longitude). It's fixed and doesn't change. Example: New York City is 40.7128° N, 74.0060° W.
• Relative Location: Location in relation to other places. It's subjective and varies depending on context. Example: New York City is on the east coast of the US, north of Washington D.C.

Both are important! Absolute for navigation, relative for understanding spatial relationships. Also, understand the concept of place - the specific human 👪 and physical characteristics 🌄 of a location.

#📏 Distance & Connection

Distance isn't just about miles; it's also about time! Geographers consider both physical distance and "time distance" ⏰📏. Time distance is the amount of time between places (e.g., a 2-hour drive). Time-space compression is a key concept: modern tech 📞📱 and transportation 🚙✈🚁 have decreased the time-space between places, increasing connections.

Image from The Condition of Postmodernity

#📈 Density & Distribution

• Density: The number of something in a defined area (e.g., population of Brooklyn).
• Distribution: How something is spread out over an area (e.g., where different types of people live in Brooklyn).

Geographers look for distribution patterns to understand unique places. Here are some examples:

• Population Density: People per square mile.
• Distribution of Wealth: How income or wealth is spread among the population.

#🗺️ Maps

Maps are a geographer's best friend! They help us represent and understand the world spatially. Maps are used for:

• Navigation
• Analyzing spatial patterns and trends
• Communicating information
• Decision-making

#🗺️ Thematic Maps

Thematic maps focus on specific themes or subjects, rather than general geographic information.

• Choropleth Maps: Use colors or patterns to show data distribution.
• Proportional Symbol Maps: Use symbols to represent data size or quantity.
• Dot Density Maps: Use dots to represent data quantity and density.
• Isarithmic Maps: Use lines to show equal intervals or changes.
• Flow Maps: Show movement of people or goods.
• Cartograms: Distort geographic areas to represent data distribution.

Watch:

• APHUG - Maps, Maps, Maps
• APHUG - Scales of Analysis

#🌍 Regions

Regionalization is the process of dividing a large area into smaller regions based on shared characteristics. This can be for:

• Administrative purposes (governance).
• Economic purposes (trade agreements).
• Cultural purposes (preserving traditions).
• Environmental purposes (resource management).

#🌎 World Regions

Image from College Board

#🌎 World Sub-Regions

Image from College Board

Link to College Board

#🎯 Final Exam Focus

• High-Priority Topics: Spatial analysis, map types (especially thematic maps), scale of analysis, and regionalization are crucial.
• Common Question Types: Expect multiple-choice questions on map interpretation and FRQs that require you to apply spatial concepts to real-world scenarios.
• Time Management: Quickly identify the type of map or concept being asked, and use your understanding of spatial relationships to make educated guesses if needed. Don't get bogged down on one question.
• Common Pitfalls: Not understanding the difference between absolute and relative location, confusing density and distribution, and misinterpreting map scales.

#📝 Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the concept of relative location? a) The exact coordinates of a place using latitude and longitude. b) The location of a place in relation to other places. c) The physical characteristics of a place. d) The population density of a place.

2. A map that uses colors or patterns to show the distribution of a particular variable is called a: a) Proportional symbol map b) Dot density map c) Choropleth map d) Flow map

3. The concept of time-space compression is best explained by: a) The increasing distance between places due to globalization. b) The decrease in travel time due to advancements in technology. c) The increase in population density in urban areas. d) The decrease in the number of regions in the world.

Free Response Question

Explain how the concepts of absolute location, relative location, and time-space compression contribute to our understanding of global interconnectedness. Provide specific examples to support your answer.

Scoring Breakdown

• Absolute Location (1 point): Definition of absolute location and its role in providing a fixed reference point. Example: Mentioning how GPS uses absolute location for navigation.
• Relative Location (1 point): Definition of relative location and how it shapes our understanding of a place's context. Example: Explaining how a city's proximity to trade routes influences its development.
• Time-Space Compression (1 point): Definition of time-space compression and how it has reduced the friction of distance. Example: Discussing how the internet has allowed for instantaneous communication across the globe.
• Interconnectedness (1 point): Explanation of how these concepts collectively contribute to global interconnectedness. Example: Describing how the combination of knowing a place's absolute location, understanding its relative location, and overcoming distance through technology, enhances global interactions.
• Specific Examples (1 point): Providing specific examples to support the explanation. Example: Mentioning how e-commerce relies on absolute location for shipping, relative location for market access, and time-space compression for quick delivery.

You've got this! Keep reviewing, stay confident, and you'll do great on the exam! 👍