GEOG 200 Unit 1 Terms and Concepts

Cartography

The branch of Geography that specializes in map-making.

Core-periphery relations

The contrasting spatial characteristics of, and linkages between, the have (core) and have-not (periphery) components of a national, regional, or the global system. North American, Europe, East Asia, and Austriali/New Zealand

Formal region

A type of region marked by a certain degree of homogeneity in one or more phenomena; also called uniform region or homogeneous region e.g. French speaking Canada

Functional region

A region marked less by its sameness than by its dynamic internal structure; because it usually focuses on a central node, also called nodal region or focal region e.g. metropolitan areas

Geospatial data

Data pertaining to a particular location on or near the Earth’s surface.

Global climate change

The shift in the characteristics and spatial distribution of Earth’s climates in response to a long-term trend in atmospheric warming.

Globalization

The gradual reduction of regional differences at the world scale, resulting from increasing international cultural, economic, and political interaction.

Greenhouse effect

When the sun’s radiation becomes trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere. This is leading to a series of atmospheric changes, especially the overall warming of the planet.

Hinterland

Literally “country behind,” a term that applies to a surrounding area served by an urban center. That center is the focus of goods and services produced for its hinterland and is its dominant urban influence as well.

Large-scale map

A map that displays a higher level of detail

Region

An area on the Earth’s surface marked by specific criteria:  they have area, boundaries, location, homogeneity or system

State

A politically organized territory that is administered by a sovereign government and is recognized by a significant portion of the international community. A state must also contain a permanent resident population, an organized economy, and a functioning internal circulation system.

Transition zone

An area of spatial change where the peripheries of two adjacent realms or regions join; marked by a gradual shift (rather than a sharp break) in the characteristics that distinguish these neighboring geographic entities from one another.

Uneven development

The notion that economic development varies spatially, a central tenet of core-periphery relationships in realms, regions, and lesser geographic entities.

What are realms?

The basic spatial unit in our world regionalization scheme. Each realm is defined in terms of a synthesis of its total human geography—a composite of its leading cultural, economic, historical, political, and appropriate environmental features. 

What is a state?

A politically organized territory that is administered by a sovereign government and is recognized by a significant portion of the international community. A state must also contain a permanent resident population, an organized economy, and a functioning internal circulation system.

How are geographic realms made up of states and regions? And how are these spaces contested?

The world geographic realms: North America, Middle America, South America, Europe, Russia/Central Asia, North Africa/Southwest Asia, Subsaharan Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Austral Realm, Pacific Realm

How are regional realms shaped by core-periphery relations?

A lot of the core regions of the world are large regions in the world geographic realms. For example, a large chunk of North America is a part of the core regions and it also makes up a large part of the realm of North America. Periphery countries don’t tend to be in the same realms as core countries.

How is global climate change impacting each realm?

Realms on coasts have to be wary of rising sea levels. Realms that are centred on agriculture may have to adjust to different growing seasons. Everyone will have to adjust to pollution. Quality of life for certain areas will change. For example, coastal cities and states tend to have higher quality of life and better economies, but if sea levels rise, those areas could become impoverished and the global economy will adjust.

What is the role of Indigenous peoples in preventing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability globally?

They encourage sustainable living.