Chapter 1: Defining human geography

human geography definition

patterns and processes of human phenomena - actions, behaviours and activities

what are some components of human geography

urban and rural settlements, food production, cultural activity (language, religion), population change, environmental impacts

what are the three key questions of human geography

where, why there, why care

space

an areal extent

location

a specific place

place

a specific location that holds meaning or value

• subjective

• house vs home

region

an area defined by shared characteristics

• distinct from surrounding areas

distance

the space between two entities (distribution;interaction)

what is the central aspect of human geographic perspective

space - the areal extent of something on earth’s surface

absolute space

objective, measurable standard units (cm, ft), stable

• central to maps and spatial analysis

relative/perceptual space

subjective, variable, based in perception and interpretation

• affected by knowledge and experience

• impacts our interactions with our envr

mental maps

internalized perceptions of space

spatial scale

relationship of area studied to earth as a whole

what are the three types of location

absolute location, relative location, and nominal location

absolute location

pinpointed to coordinates (latitude and longitude as in gps systems)

• central to systems like google maps

• directions given via meters, kilometers

relative location

refer to one location with reference to others

• varies with the observer

• ex. giving directions using landmarks

nominal location

referring to a location by its place name or toponym

• reveal history/social change

• ex. bishop grandin → abinojii mikanah - act of reconciliation

sense of place

feelings about or (deep) attachment to specific locations or environments

• based in experiences associated with the place

• personal

• can be +ve or -ve

• could be a place you’ve never been to

sacred places

location or landscape highly valued by an individual or group

• reflects religious symbolism, strong political or communal value

• ex. notre dame in paris

placelessness

locations that lack any uniqueness of character

• homogenous or standardized landscapes

regionalization

the process of classifying locations into regions

• occurs at different scales and with different characteristics (language, economic activity)

what are the three types of regions

formal (uniform) regions, functional (nodal) regions, and vernacular (perceptual) regions

formal (uniform) regions

shared characteristics

• one or more characteristics are very predominant; define the region ex land use, type of economic activity

functional (nodal) regions

shared function/use amongst a population

• organized around a focal point (node); diminishes in prevalence with distance from node

vernacular (perceptual) regions

group cultural identity and sense of place

• based on shared perceptions amongst people inside and/or outside the region

• ex perspective, reputation

• perspective of outsiders and insiders likely differ

what are the two types of distance

absolute distance, relative distance

absolute distance

standard measures of physical separation; objective: meters, miles, light years

relative distance

how far apart things seem or feel; perceptual and subjective; social or economic distance

what are some iconic canadian communications landmarks

cabot tower, signal hill, st john’s newfoundland

what is distribution and what are the types

patterns identified by varying distances between objects

• density

• concentration

• pattern

density

number of a phenomena in a unit area. higher density, greater frequency of phenomena

concentration

clustered or dispersed

pattern

random or uniform

explain the distribution of earthquakes in canada

higher densities and clustered along tectonic fault lines. pattern is more uniform than random

cultural diffusion

spatial connections through the spread and growth of innovation - could be new ideas, people, inventions, tech innovations

• spread through space and over time

what are the two types of cultural diffusion

relocation and expansion

relocation cultural diffusion

• occurs with the physical migration of people

• cultural suitcase - how we bring language, region, music, food, norms to the places we go

what are the two types of expansion diffusion

contagious and hierarchical

expansion diffusion: 1) contagious

similar to spread of infectious disease. more contacts & connections, closer the physical, social or economic distance, the more likely ideas or activities will be adopted or shared - trends or movements

• exposure

expansion diffusion: 2) hierarchical

cultural practice spread FIRST through key influential people or places - reflects connections in and between industry/urban centres, and social information networks

• ex. new fashion or tech released to influencers and media first, then to key urban centres

spatial interaction

measure of the relationship, through movement or communication, between locations and across space

• first law of geography: everything is related to everything else, but…. near things are more related than distant things

• you’re more likely to go to shops, restaurants near your home, work, school

• role of infrastructure

distance decay

the declining intensity of interaction and communication with increasing distance

• principle behind first law of geography

• physical distance: the further we must travel to do something, the less likely we are to do it

friction of distance

physical, economic and social distance all have an inhibiting effect on interaction & activity

• overcoming distance always requires effort; takes time and costs money/energy

• we’ve reduced this friction - containerized shipping and jet airplane travel instead of sailing ships and horse-drawn wagons

• access to transportation and communication tech is highly variable and creates inequalities and barriers

direct connections

highways, airline routes, (free) wireless internet service

indirect/intangible connections

• common cultural modes of communication

• e.g. social connections and/or business ties through interest groups, ethnic communities, social organizations