AP Human Geography Unit 1 FRQs

FRQ 1: Of great interest to geographers are the cultural and political implications of technological innovations that affect human interaction. What is space-time compression as it relates to technological innovations and how did that impact human interac

Sample Answer: Space-time compression is the reduction in the time it takes to diffuse something to a distant place as a result of improved communications and transportation systems. Technological innovations have, in a sense, caused people to feel as if

FRQ 2: Geographers define space, location, and distance according to both absolute and relative measures. Describe the difference between absolute and relative distances and area interaction. Define connectivity and absolute distance. Give examples of the

Sample Answer: Absolute distances are an exact measurement. They are expressed with a precise number of miles or other form of measurement. Relative distances are an approximation. They are based off of other known places or distances. AREA INTERACTION? C

FRQ 3: The region is a highly contested yet critical concept in the study of human geography. What is a region and why is it important to human geographers? List three types of regions, define them, and list an example of each.

Sample Answer: A region is what links places together using any parameter the geographer chooses. Three types of regions are formal, vernacular, and functional. Formal regions are uniform. Everyone shares in common one or more distinctive characteristic.

Space-Time Compression

the reduction in the time it takes to diffuse something to a distant place as a result of improved communications and transportation systems

Technological Innovations

new worldly advances in technology

Human Interaction

communication between humans in different places

Connectivity

the ability of a region's people and resources to connect with those of another region (some places & phenomena are connected more than others due to distance, population size, available resources, population, and culture)

Absolute Distance

the exact distance between two places

Region

what links places together using any parameter the geographer chooses

Vernacular

perceptual; a place people believe exists as part of their cultural identity
ex: The South= slow, racist, drink sweet tea

Formal

uniform; everyone shares one or more distinctive characteristic
ex: Mid West= Corn Belt; Evangelic Christians in SE= Bible Belt

Functional

nodal; an area organized around a focal point and the region is tied to the central point by transportation, economics, or communication systems
ex: The Tampa Tribune