GAP Unit One Study Guide

1. What is the science of mapmaking called?

Cartography

2. Define scale:

The level of detail and the amount of area covered on a map

A.
What is the advantage of a map which shows only a small portion of
the earths surface like a neighborhood that is, a large-scale map?
A small portion map gives off more details on the area, like roads, landmarks,
neighborhoods, and streets. While, a large scale map is very large with more
significant marks on the map.

B. What advantage does a map which shows the entire globe, a small-scale map,
have?

A larger map (globe) shows more land and area surrounding a point, while a small scale map
shows a lesser amount of land.
2. When geographers convert the round Earth to a flat map, they use a
projection. All projections have some distortion (only a globe has none).
List the four things that typically become distorted in various projections
and explain the distortion.

The shape of an area: it appears more elongated or squat than

reality
The distance between two points: can become a smaller distance
or longer distance
The relative size: one may appear larger than reality
The direction from one place to another: may change direction
(north, south, etc)

3.

Two important projections are the Mercator and the Robinson. Complete
the chart below to
compare their advantages and disadvantages.

Mercator

Robinson

Advantages

-Direction is consistent
-Very little distortion
-Map is rectangular

-Useful for displaying information of

oceans

Disadvanta
ges

-Relative size is grossly distorted at the

North and South Poles
-Makes high altitude places look much
larger than they actually are

-Allocates space to oceans

-The land areas are much smaller than on
interupted maps of the same size

3. What place is designated as 0 degrees longitude

Royal Observatory at Greenwich, England.
4. What is the name for the line drawn at 0 degrees longitude?
The Prime Meridian
5. What is the name for the line drawn at 0 degrees latitude?

The Equator
6. What is the longitude of the International Date Line?

180 degrees Longitude

a.
b.

7. Use page 11 and the information in the reading to annotate the map
below.
Draw the Prime Meridian and International Date Line.
Label the country that moved the International Date Line in 1997.

Kiribati

8. Complete the following regarding a Global Positioning System

Elements/Components

Uses/Implementation

-There are 24 satellites in orbit

- It pinpoints locations

-There are tracking Stations

-It monitors and controls satellites

-And there is a Receiver

-It can locate at least 4 satellites, know the

distance of each of them, and pinpoint the
location(s)

9. Geographers use GIS (Geographic Information System) to store

layers of data. Give four examples of types of data stored in a single layer.
1. Vector Data (Cities)
2. Vector Data (Highways)
3. Raster Data (Landforms)
4. Vector and Raster Combined

10.Define toponym:
A name given to a place on Earth.
11.Define site:
The physical character of place.
12.List some site characteristics:
- Climate
- Water Sources
- Latitude
- Longitude
- Elevation

13.Define situation:
The location of place relevant to other places.

14.Complete the chart below which details types of regions identified by

geographers:
Formal Region

Functional Region

Vernacular Region

Also
Called

Uniform Region

Nodal Region

Perceptual Region

Definitio
n

An area where everyone

shares in distinctive
characteristics, like a
common language.
Characteristics :
cultural, economic, and
environmental factors,
such as a republican
state.

An area organized around

a focal point.
Characteristics : central
focuses and diminishing in
proportion outwards. It is
used to show economic
areas.

An area that people believe

exists as part of their
cultural identity. Come from
peoples informal sense
rather than geographers.
Useful way to identify thee
through a mental map.

Example

-Southeast (America)
-Georgia

-Fanship of The Braves

-Busline

- Baptist or
methodist areas

15.What two meanings of culture do geographers study?

-What people care about
-What people take care of

16.Space is the physical gap or interval between two objects.

17.The arrangement of a feature in space is known as its distribution.

18.Define density:

The frequency with which something occurs in space

19.The way in which a feature is spread over space is known as

concentration. What are the opposite ends of the spectrum of
concentration?
a. Clustered : Close Together
b. Dispersed : Relatively Far Apart

20.List the two different types of pattern given in the text.

Geometric and Irregular

21.Diffusion is defined as the process by which a characteristic spreads

across space. With regard to diffusion, define and, where possible, give an
example of each of the following:
Diffusion

Relocation
Diffusion

Hearth

Place an innovation originates.

Relocation
Diffusion

Relocation
Diffusion

Spread of idea through physical movement of people

from place to another place.

Expansion
Diffusion

Hierarchical
Diffusion

Spread if idea from persons of authority to other place or

persons.

Expansion
Diffusion

Contagious
Diffusion

Rapid, widespread, diffusion of a characteristic

throughout the population.

Expansion
Diffusion

Stimulus
Diffusion

Spread of underlying principal even though a

characteristic apparently fails to diffuse.

22.Describe the phenomenon known as distance decay.

The farther away someone is from another, the less likely the two will
interact. Contact diminishes and eventually disappears.

23.What is space-time compression?

Reduction in the time it takes for something to reach another place.

24.Very carefully define the following terms:

a. Cultural Ecology
The geographic study of human environment relationships.
b. Environmental determinism
The approach that the physical environment that caused social development
c. Possibilism
The physical environment may limit some human actions, but people have the
ability to adjust to their environment.