| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Acculturation | The process of adopting cultural traits or social patterns of another group |
| Assimilation | The process of taking in and fully understanding information or ideas |
| Site | The physical location and characteristics of a place |
| Situation | The location of a place relative to its surroundings and other places |
| Geographic Information Systems (GIS) | A system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data |
| Global Positioning System (GPS) | A satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information |
| Satellite Navigation Systems | A synonym for Global Positioning System (GPS) |
| Geospatial | Relating to or denoting data that is associated with a particular location |
| Geographical Data (Geo Data) | Data that represents the location and attributes of geographic features |
| Online Mapping & Visualization | The process of creating interactive digital maps and visual representations of geospatial data |
| Remote Sensing | The acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon without making physical contact with the object |
| Census | An official survey of a population for various demographic, social, and economic information |
| Distance Decay | The effect of distance on cultural or spatial interactions between locations |
| Time-Space Compression | The increasing sense of connectivity between places due to advancements in transportation and communication technology |
| Time-Space Convergence | A synonym for Time-Space Compression |
| Toponyms | Place names, especially ones derived from geographical features |
| Pattern | The arrangement of objects on the earth's surface in relationship to one another |
| Location | A specific place or position on the Earth's surface |
| Relative Location | A location relative to another location |
| Sustainable Development | Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs |
| Natural Resources | Materials or substances occurring in nature that can be exploited for economic profit |
| Environmental Determinism | The theory that the human behaviors are heavily influenced or determined by the physical environment |
| Possibilism | The theory that the environment sets certain constraints or limitations, but people have the ability to adjust to their environment |
| Globalization | The process of interaction and integration among people, organizations, and governments worldwide |
| Transnational Corporations | Companies that operate in multiple countries around the world |
| Formal Regions | An area with one or more shared characteristics that distinguish it from surrounding areas |
| Functional Regions | An area organized around a focal point or node, where interactions and connections occur |
| Perceptual Regions | A region defined by peoples' feelings and attitudes toward an area |
| Vernacular Regions | A synonym for Perceptual region |
| Local Scale | A small area, usually within a single community or town |
| Regional Scale | An area that has common characteristics, such as a specific environment, culture, or political identity |
| National Scale | A larger area, usually encompassing multiple regions within a single country |
| Global Scale | The largest scale, encompassing the entire world or multiple countries |