Absolute location

constant between observers, established by overlaying space with a constant grid

Relative location

varies with the observers, usually defined in reference to another location

Nominal locations

acquire identity and position through commonly known names, names reflect complex social relations

Place

a location that has acquired particular meaning or significance

Location

a particular position in space, a specific part of earth's surface, used in absolute, relative, and nominal form.

Locale

the setting or context for social interactions, a term popular as an alternative to place.

Sense of place

the feelings evoked by, or deep attachments to, specific locations (places), such as home, that result from the experiences individuals associate with the location

Placelessness

the nature of locations that lack uniqueness or individual characters; used for homogeneous and standardized landscapes.

Region

a part of the earth's surface that displays internal homogeneity and is relatively distinct from surrounding areas according to certain criteria, a contiguous spatial unit

Functional regions

an area (region) organized around a node or focal point and unified by specific economic, political, or social activity

Formal regions

an area (region) that possesses a certain degree of uniformity with respect to one or more physical or cultural traits.

Vernacular regions

an area (region) identified on the basis of the perceptions held by people inside or outside the region or both

Toponyms

the common name given to a location, a place name. the study of place names, in particular their origins and what they can reveal about the history or nature of a place.

Toponyms examples

Ryerson University changing their name to Toronto Metropolitan University because of Ryerson's history with the creation of Residential schools

Geographic Imaginaries

Imaginaries are more than representations or constructions of the world; they are virtually implicated in a material, sensuous process of 'worlding'. What are the stories we are telling about a location?

Map elements

Scale, Coordinate systems, Projections, and Symbolization.

Map Projections

Different ways of showing information, representing a round globe on a flat piece of paper.

Common Map Projection Types

Cylindrical (Mercator and Robinson), Conic, Planar, and Interrupted

Choropleth map

Maps a measurement over an area, difference indicate by shades or colours

Isopleth maps

link points with the same measurement

Cartogram maps

often maps a measurement for an area, difference indicated by distortion of area size

Dot maps

maps a measurement over an area, difference indicated by number of dots of identical value

Site

the physical space or ground a settlement occupies, factors include access to water, fuel sources, soil fertility, transportation, and defense.

Situation

location in relation to surrounding human and physical features, access and availability to other towns, transportation routes, and the surrounding environment.

Friction of distance

a measure of the restraining effect of distance on human interaction and movement; generally, greater time and cost are incurred with increasing distance

Environmental determinism

a view that cultures and human behaviors, are directly shaped by physical environmental circumstances; contrasted with possibilism.

Third Space

It's where you want to go when you don't want to be at home or school/work, but also don't want to be alone? It's a social or cultural environment outside of home and work where people gather, connect, and explore identity, fostering community, creativity, and well-being.

GIS - Geographic Information Systems

a system of computer hardware and software that facilitates the collection, storage, analysis, and display of spatially referenced data through layered maps.

GPS - Global Positioning System

a satellite-based system for determining the absolute location of geographic phenomena (an address). Changing navigation practices. Controversies - potentially participatory, privacy and permission problems, biases (socially variable participation, design limits)

Remote Sensing

a series of techniques used for collecting spatial data through instruments (sensors and cameras in satellites, airplanes, and drones), that are physically distant from the object of study.

Counter Mapping

making maps that challenge usual or official maps by showing different views, especially those left out or wrongly shown before. It is often used to take back land, support Indigenous rights, and help local communities speak up. This practice questions what is seen as “true” knowledge and includes local or cultural information in making maps.

Diffusion

the spatial spreading or dissemination of a phenomenon such as: a cultural element (religion, language, fashion, etc), an idea/innovation, or a disease from 'hearth' elsewhere

Relocation Diffusion

is the process by which cultural traits, ideas, or innovations spread through the physical movement of people from one location to another

Expansion Diffusion

process that showcases how ideas, innovations, and cultural practices spread across different regions ex. McDonalds in other places.

Protections from diffusion

Preservation of culture, language, and history Quebec has legislative and policy based protection Canadian Constitutional laws

Globalization

increases the quantity and speed of goods, information, and people moving across national boundaries. "the death of distance". While goods and services have become more standardized, there is little evidence of complete economic, social, or cultural homogenization.

Economic Globalization

Is made of contemporary globalization and colonial globalization, disperses manufacturing and distribution across boundaries and dispersed agriculture and resource extraction to colonies. Overall dispersal of the manufacturing process is enabled by TNC organization.

Cultural Globalization

Mostly western in character, strong US influence. Criticised by others as cultural imperialism. Mass media, consumer culture, and economic integration.

Political Globalization

Variety of integration processes date back several centuries. Two key processes are United Nations post world war two and integrating processes may promote democracy

Transportation Modes

Water, Rail, Road, Air, and Containerization

Trade

Trade has exceeded production growth since 1945, means its increasingly important for the global economy.

Factors affecting trade

Friction of distance, resource base, labour force, capital, statue between countries, and tariffs.

Degrees of regional integration

Free trade, customs union, common market, economic union and common social policies with supranational body.

Principle of least effort

location decisions: minimize the effort to overcome the friction of distance. Distance can de defined by various criteria (time, cost, social status)

Distance Decay

the effect of distance on spatial interaction; generally, intensity of interaction declines with increasing distance.

Accessibility and connectivity

Accessibility - relative ease of interaction and communication. Connectivity - direct and indirect or intangible connections. (telephone lines, common cultural modes of communication). Distance, accessibility, and connectivity can overlap in context.

Containerization

the international shipping practice of storing freight (goods or commodities) within a standard-sized container and transporting it using a variety of intermodal technologies, including ships, rail, and truck; typically associated with reductions in cargo handling and shipping costs.

Regional Integration

trade across borders is regulated through tariffs. World Trade Organization fosters trade between states. Regional trade blocs: foster trade between subgroups of states, and growing trend toward more blocs.

These of Globalization

Hyperglobalist "Flat earthers", Skeptical "Globalization is in retreat", and Transformationalist "World 3.0"

Hyperglobalist

Free movement of capital, global economy now a level playing field, and globalization is intersifying.

Skeptical

Significance of local and national identities, and negative externalities of regional dislocation, inequality.

Transformationalist

Extent and influence of globalization is exaggerated, and supports with trading statistics.