AP Human Geography Flashcards: Spatial Concepts
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is the principle of distance decay?
Distance decay is the concept that the interaction between two locales declines as the distance between them increases.
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What is the principle of distance decay?
Distance decay is the concept that the interaction between two locales declines as the distance between them increases.
Describing a school as 'down the street from the post office' is an example of which spatial concept?
This is an example of relative location because it describes the school's position in relation to another object.
What is absolute location?
Absolute location is the precise spot where something is according to a system, often using coordinates like latitude and longitude.
What is relative location?
Relative location is a description of where something is in relation to other things.
In a geographic context, what are 'flows'?
Flows refer to the movement of people, ideas, goods, or services from one location to another across space.
What does 'pattern' refer to in spatial concepts?
Pattern is the geometric or regular arrangement of something in a study area.
The ability to have a video call with someone on another continent is a clear example of what spatial concept?
This demonstrates time-space compression, as technology makes the distance between the two people seem insignificant.
Explain the concept of time-space compression.
Time-space compression is the reduction in the time it takes for something to diffuse to a distant place as a result of improved communications and transportation systems.
How do geographers differentiate between 'space' and 'place'?
'Space' refers to the physical gap or interval between two objects, while 'place' is a specific point on Earth with human and physical characteristics that distinguish it from other points.
Why might a new fashion trend be popular in a major city but almost unknown in rural areas far from that city?
This phenomenon can be explained by distance decay, where the influence of the trend (a flow of information) decreases with greater distance from its urban origin.