Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

What term refers to the actual space a place occupies on Earth's surface?

1. Relative location

2. Spatial distribution

3. Absolute location

4. Geographical positioning

The correct answer is: Absolute location

The term that refers to the actual space a place occupies on Earth's surface is absolute location. This concept is used to define a specific point on the globe using a coordinate system, typically latitude and longitude. By providing an exact geographic coordinate, absolute location allows for pinpointing a place without ambiguity, which is crucial for navigation, cartography, and geographical analysis. Relative location, on the other hand, describes a place's location in relation to other locations, which brings in context but does not provide a precise point. Spatial distribution refers to the arrangement of various phenomena across the Earth’s surface, focusing on how they are spread out or concentrated. Geographical positioning can refer to the general concept of locating a place but lacks the precision and specific reference inherent in absolute location. Thus, absolute location stands out as the correct term for referencing the actual space a place occupies.