The AP Human Geography exam can feel daunting, but with the right preparation, you can achieve a high score. This comprehensive review packet provides a structured approach to mastering the key concepts, ensuring you're well-prepared for exam day. This isn't just a summary; it's a strategic guide to conquering the exam.
I. Mastering the Key Themes: A Deep Dive
AP Human Geography centers around several core themes. Understanding these themes is crucial for success. This section provides a detailed breakdown of each:
A. Population & Migration
- Population Distribution & Density: Analyze global population patterns, understanding factors like environmental conditions, economic opportunities, and historical events. Consider the implications of uneven population distribution on resource allocation and political stability. Practice calculating different density measures (arithmetic, physiological, agricultural).
- Population Growth & Change: Master demographic transition model (DTM), understanding its stages and implications for developing and developed nations. Explore factors influencing fertility rates, mortality rates, and natural increase rates. Analyze population pyramids and their significance in predicting future population trends.
- Migration Patterns & Processes: Examine various types of migration (internal, international, forced, voluntary). Understand push and pull factors, Ravenstein's Laws of Migration, and the impact of migration on both origin and destination regions. Analyze the concept of remittances and their economic impact.
- Population Policies: Explore different government policies aimed at influencing population growth (e.g., pronatalist, antinatalist). Analyze the effectiveness and consequences of these policies.
B. Cultural Patterns & Processes
- Cultural Diffusion: Understand different forms of diffusion (relocation, expansion, hierarchical, contagious, stimulus). Analyze the role of technology and globalization in accelerating cultural diffusion. Consider the impact of cultural diffusion on cultural landscapes.
- Cultural Landscapes: Analyze how human activities shape the physical environment. Understand the concept of sequent occupance and how different cultures leave their mark on a place over time.
- Language Families & Distribution: Explore the major language families and their global distribution. Understand language extinction and the factors contributing to it. Analyze the role of language in cultural identity and social interaction.
- Religion & Distribution: Analyze the global distribution of major religions and their impact on cultural landscapes. Understand the concepts of religious fundamentalism, secularism, and religious conflict.
C. Political Organization of Space
- Political Geography Concepts: Define and understand key terms like state, nation, nation-state, sovereignty, boundary types, and geopolitical theories (e.g., Heartland Theory, Rimland Theory).
- Geopolitics: Analyze the influence of geography on political power and international relations. Examine examples of territorial disputes, international organizations, and the role of supranational organizations.
- Electoral Geography: Understand the impact of gerrymandering and redistricting on political power. Analyze voting patterns and their relationship to geographic factors.
D. Agricultural & Rural Land Use
- Agricultural Revolutions: Understand the First, Second, and Third Agricultural Revolutions and their impact on population growth, food production, and land use.
- Agricultural Systems: Analyze different farming practices (e.g., intensive, extensive, subsistence, commercial). Understand the concept of agricultural regions and their relationship to environmental factors and economic development.
- Rural Land Use Patterns: Examine different patterns of rural settlement (e.g., dispersed, clustered, linear). Understand the impact of urbanization on rural areas.
E. Industrialization & Economic Development
- Industrialization & Location: Understand the factors influencing the location of industries (e.g., raw materials, labor, transportation). Analyze the impact of industrialization on economic development and the environment.
- Economic Development Models: Explore different models of economic development (e.g., Rostow's stages of growth, Wallerstein's world-systems theory). Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of these models.
- Globalization & Economic Interdependence: Understand the impact of globalization on economic development, trade patterns, and international relations. Analyze the role of multinational corporations and global supply chains.
II. Exam Strategies & Practice
This section focuses on honing your test-taking skills:
A. Multiple Choice Strategies
- Process of Elimination: Learn to eliminate incorrect answers to improve your chances of selecting the correct answer.
- Keyword Identification: Focus on key terms and concepts in the questions.
- Time Management: Practice pacing yourself to ensure you have enough time to answer all questions.
B. Free Response Strategies
- Structured Responses: Develop a clear and organized approach to answering free-response questions.
- Use of Evidence: Support your answers with specific examples and evidence.
- Clear and Concise Writing: Write clearly and concisely to convey your understanding of the concepts.
III. Resources for Continued Success
This review packet provides a solid foundation. Supplement your studies with additional resources such as practice exams, review books, and online resources. Remember consistent review and practice are key to success! Good luck!
