1. Introduction to AP Human Geography
Mr. Stepek

2. 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

3. Koppen’s climate classification

4. 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

5. 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

6. “Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

7. “Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

8. “Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

9. “Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

10. “Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

11. “Arithmetic” or “Population” Density

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

17. 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)

18. Formal regions

19. 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.

20. Functional region

21. 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

22. Perceptual or vernacular regions

23. Perceptual regions are often contradictory

24. 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