Introduction to AP Human Geography Mr. Stepek

Place: how can a location be described? People Physical toponym = place name Michigan = “large water” “Half Day Road” climate and vegetation see GR #37 and #38

Koppen’s climate classification

Place: how can a location be described? People Physical toponyms England = “Land of the Angles” “New England” “Greektown” What do the toponyms of San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles tell you about California? demographics population/cultural stats ethnicity, language, religion age & gender, birth rates economic stats density (a property of distribution) toponym = place name climate and vegetation see GR #37 and #38 terrain/landform mountainous, flat, coastal built landscape type and density of construction

Distribution: use special terms to describe spatial relationships and their organization Density: how often an object occurs within a given area or space (used often with population) Arithmetic or population density occurrence of a phenomenon or population / total area

“Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

“Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

“Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

“Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

“Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

“Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

Physiological density = pop. / arable (farmable) land If all other factors are held constant it is a rough measure of the ability of area to feed its population related to the concept of carrying capacity

Agricultural density = farmers / arable land measures farming efficiency/modernization consequently – it shows development! High = many farmers, by hand, low tech = less development Low = few farmers, lots of machinery = more developed

Distribution: use special terms to describe spatial relationships and their organization GR 35 Density: how often an object occurs within a given area or space (used often with population) Concentration: refers to the proximity over the area in which an item is spread. Cluster/agglomeration = close together Dispersed/scattered = spread out

Distribution: use special terms to describe spatial relationships and their organization GR 35 Density: Concentration: Pattern: how things are geometrically organized within their space. Linear = along a straight line (any other descriptive shape as well) Circular, grid pattern, U-shaped, L-shaped, etc. Random = no discernible pattern

Region: commonalities between places (GR 24) 3 ways to discuss region Formal or uniform = homogeneous characteristics area where everybody speaks the same language uniform terrain or physical features jurisdictions (everyone is subject to same laws)

Formal regions

Region: commonalities between places 3 ways to discuss region Functional or nodal = organized around a central point. market areas are the best example Radio stations, zip codes, delivery areas, etc.

Functional region

Region: commonalities between places 3 ways to discuss region Perceptual or vernacular = based on a person’s cultural identity, shared values, cultural landscape, “in our minds” = mental map Midwest, “Rust Belt”, “Middle America” South, “Bible Belt”, “Deep South” Neighborhood designations

Perceptual or vernacular regions

Perceptual regions are often contradictory

Region: commonalities between places 3 ways to discuss region Perceptual or vernacular = based on a person’s cultural identity, shared values, cultural landscape, “in our minds” = mental map Midwest, “Rust Belt”, “Middle America” South, “Bible Belt”, “Deep South” Neighborhood designations https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150928/loop/this-is-where-chicagoans-say-borders-of-their-neighborhoods-are