Human Mosaic Terms

a cultural area that functions as a unit politically, socially, or economically ex. Denver

a central point in a functional culture region where functions are coordinated and directed ex. city hall or government building

formal and functional regions have a core where defining traits are headquartered and a periphery where traits are weaker ex. Boulder and liberal areas surround it

a cultural region inhabited by people who have one or more cultural traits in common ex. the Rocky Mountains

A region perceived to exist by its inhabitants or outsiders. Has “fuzzy” spatial boundaries. ex. “the valley”, “the outback”

spread of elements of culture throughout an area

lots of similar ideas are created by a couple of groups ex. frozen yogurt

spread of something in a culture to a new place ex. members of the church coming to Salt Lake

The spread of a feature or trend among people from one area to another in a snowballing process. ex. missionary work

the spread of a feature or trend from one key person or node of authority or power to other persons or places ex. sushi spreading from L.A. to other places

The rapid, widespread diffusion of a feature or trend throughout a population. ex. facebook; like a disease

The spread of an underlying principle, even though a specific characteristic is rejected ex. Siberians domesticated animals they could use

ripple effect; diffusion decreases with distance and time. *not as relevant today because of the internet

completely halts diffusion of innovations ex. Taliban banning tv’s

a barrier that permits some aspects of an innovation to diffuse through it but weakens and retards continued spread; an innovation can be modified in passing through a permeable barrier

microscope diffusion; small clusters ex. instagram communities

large scale movement of people between regions ex. grandma

immigrants develop and cultivate ties to more than one country

world is connected within a free market, cultural diffusion is rapid, independent states are weakened and cultural homogenization is encouraged
*you’d think it’d cause people to be alike but it brings out differences and can cause differences. Poor and rich

studies human-environment interactions

territorially bounded system consisting of interactions between organic and inorganic components

people adapting to the challenges of the environment

the unique way in which each culture uses its particular physical environment; those aspects of culture that serve to provide the necessities of life- food, clothing, shelter, and defense.

cultural traits are formed and controlled by environmental conditions; humans are clay molded by nature

humans are the primary active force, environment offers many different ways for a culture to develop; those choices are guided by cultural heritage

culture depends more on how perceive the environment than what the actual environment is like

humans are a part of nature, habitat possesses soul

humans are separate from nature and hold dominion over it

the relationship of various elements within a culture

scientific approach to cultural geography; overgeneralizes findings in models

humanistic approach to cultural geography; seeks to understand unique character of each place; “art” approach

Love of place; used to describe people who exhibit a strong sense of place.

the visible imprint of human activity and culture on the land ex. wine country in Italy

The spatial arrangements of buildings, roads, towns and other features that people construct while inhabiting an area.

A settlement form characterized by density.

immigrants develop and cultivate ties to more than one country ex. Swiss citizenship!