Geography Globalisation Test Revision

Globalisation

is the increased interconnectedness and interdependence of people and countries resulting from expanding trade, finance, and ideas in one global marketplace.

Diffusion

is the transfer or dispersal of cultural elements from one group of people to other groups of people.

Adaption

is the alteration or adjustment in response to a changed environment.

Sustainability

is when we meet the needs of the current and future generations through simultaneous environmental, social and economic adaption and improvement.

What has accelerated globalisation?

Improvement of transport and telecommunication.

Where do we see the process of diffusion?

Increase in global news coverage and connection through social media.

Describe an example of diffusion.

Netflix was benefitted through the improved communication throughout the globe.

How have cars and appliances been adapted for Europe?

They made the size of the products smaller to fit in house holds and narrower roads for cars.

What is a positive of globalisation?

They provide people around the world with cheaper goods.

What is a negative of globalisation?

Less developed countries have been left behind making them have poor labor laws for the manufacturing on the goods.

How does globalisation impact sustainability?

Places that manufacture goods as a more developed country can afford to ship their carbon emissions to less developed countries. Increasing the pollution that good impacts on other countries that are less developed.

Social impacts of globalisation POOR WORKING CONDITIONS

Poor working Conditions, Globalisation has impacted working conditions as it has led to the exploitation of workers in LDCs with lower wages. Many companies outsource their labour to countries like Bangladesh and China where the minimum wage is much lower. This has led to 250 million children between 5 and 14 are forced to work in sweatshops in developing countries.

Social impacts of globalisation INCREASE SENSE OF GLOBAL COMUNITY

Increased sense of global community, Technological advancements like social media have made It easier to communicate with people. This has led to an increased sense of global communities and the diffusion of culture and ideas. As of January 2025 63% of the world use some form of social media.

Economic impacts of globalisation OPEN DOOR POLICY

Economic growth, Globalisation has made global trade more efficient leading to an increase in global trade and GDP growth. In 1978 China encouraged globalisation by introducing the 'open door policy' to encourage trade and foreign investment. This policy resulted in an annual average growth rate of 7-8%. This has led to significant growth in Chinas infrastructure with 11 airports being built in 2018 alone which works to increase Chinas tourism. Tourism is now one of Chinas fastest growing industries with domestic tourism the world's largest.

Economic impacts of globalisation EDUCATION

Improved education (can also be social), Globalisation has made education more accessible due to new technology. This is due to people being able to easily study online at universities or through facilities like the school of the air. Economic growth in China has allowed the government to increase the funding to education including US 14.7 billion funding to skills training. This has been done in an attempt to create more skilled farmers to help alleviate food poverty.

Environmental impacts of globalisation INDIA

Air pollution, Due to globalisation India has experienced rapid industrialisation, which has left it having 11 out of the 12 most polluted cities. In 2019 air pollution killed more Indians than any other risk factor. This is due to the serious health conditions that come with air pollution like brain and liver damage. This air pollution is caused by the Indian government not putting in adequate anti-pollution regulation due to a focus been put on rapid economic growth.

Environmental impacts of globalisation PARIS AGREEMENT

Air pollution, Due to globalisation India has experienced rapid industrialisation, which has left it having 11 out of the 12 most polluted cities. In 2019 air pollution killed more Indians than any other risk factor. This is due to the serious health conditions that come with air pollution like brain and liver damage. This air pollution is caused by the Indian government not putting in adequate anti-pollution regulation due to a focus been put on rapid economic growth.

Spatial distribution of goods (Transport improvements)

Trade is easier due to transport technology improvements, sailings ships become steam ships and then cargo ships. Planes have become more efficient and accessible. It once took moths to sail from London, then weeks by steamship and now hours by jet planes. Construction of the Suez Canal was completed in 1869 and reduced the length and time of travel routes. The Suez Canal has become one of the busiest trade routes with 50 ships passing through it each day.

Spatial distribution of goods (Technological improvements)

Radia, tv and the internet allow large amount of information to be shared to more people over greater distances. Due to planes becoming larger and more fuel efficient the prices of airfares has dropped 60% over 40 years. Refrigerator trucks have made it easier to move perishable commodities over long distances to rural and isolated areas. COVID 19 vaccines needed to stay between 2-8 degrees Celsius making refrigerator trucks crucial the risk management of COVID.

Spatial distribution of goods (Telecommunication improvements)

Telecommunications include landline phones, mobile phones, satellites, radio and the internet. Over time telecommunications have gotten faster, more efficient and cheaper as technology improves. Some businesses selling non-material information-based products like music or insurance no longer need to have headquarters in each city and can operate wholly online from few headquarters. For example, over 9 million people in Australia have Spotify yet there is only a Spotify headquarters in Sydney.

Culture diffusion and adaption

- The connection between countries and the internet and more efficient transport has led to cultures being shared due to the spreading of products, values and ideas. Sometimes people can be forced to take on new ideas and values due to colonisation. For example, Indigenous Australians children being forced into Christianity missions.

- Often new ideas or products are adopted and adapted by other countries because they are deemed useful. For example, majority of Australian kitchens now have a Chinese style wok as it was seen as useful.

- Overtime culture can change and be adapted to suit the new country. Like the traditional Italian food chicken parmigiana becoming an Australian pub classic or the English creating the tikka masala.

- Cultural diffusion is more often seen in MDCS like Australia where majority of citizens have the money for technology and international travel.

Culture

is the collective way of life of a group of people, including their shared beliefs, values, behaviors, and customs.

World Trade (Suez canal)

The construction of the Suez canal in 1869 made trade more efficient as it reduced the length and time traveled routes. Annually, it facilitates the transit of over 200,000 vessels, carrying an estimated $1 trillion worth of goods. The Suez canal shortens the journey between Asia and Europe saving both time and fuel costs. For example, a journey from Arabian Sea to London is shortened by approximately 8,851km. This has made it eiser to require foreign goods causes diffusion of culture.

World Trade (Shipping containers)

Before shipping containers unloading and reloading trucks and ships took weeks. However, shipping containers and cranes reduced the loading time reducing the time and cost of shipping, unloading a 20-foot container can now take 1 to 1.5 hours. This means that products reach more consumers due to more efficient transport and lower costs. This increased the diffusion of culture as more people were able to use and eat the products from other nations.

World Trade (Telecommunications)

Smartphones use emerged around 2010 and diffused very rapidly rising from 35% in 2010 to over 80% of households using them in 2019. Telecommunications infostructures like broadband and mobile networks lower the cost of communication and information access, making it easier for small business to engage in international trade. With 5.5 billion people, or 68% of the worlds population using the internet it also allows them to access new markets/costumers and increase the demand of their products as well as trade volumes.

Culture (Advances in transport)

It used to take months for people to travel from Perth to London vias sailboat, now it only takes 16hours by jet plane. This improved travel efficiency has encouraged the diffusion of culture and globalization as it is now much easier to travel to new countries and bring back new products, ideas and knowledge. For example, chopsticks and woks can now be found in the majority of Australian kitchens.

Culture (Advances in telecommunication)

With 63% of the global population on social media it has significantly aided the diffusion of culture as people are regularly exposed to the lives of people living in countries across the globe. This includes a diffusion of things like music, fashion, food, language and values. 16% of Tik Tok users are American leading to a significant spread of American culture across the globe including slang and eating habits.

World Cities

are centres of world economic and cultural authority.

World Cities Description

- They are the places where the world's most important financial and corporate institutions are based and where decisions that 'drive' the global economy are made.

- They also play a globally significant role in the production and dissemination of knowledge (i.e. News, entertainment) and art.

- They are centres of research and innovation.

- They are normally large, but it is not based on size. They are chosen based on extent of their powers and influence.

Economic and cultural cities

- World cities tend to be the locations of universities and research centres making them a hub for education and knowledge. Due to this world cities also contain a larger population of the most skilled and educated people on the planet.

- Due to having a large portion of highly educated and skilled people they also contain large numbers of wealthy people and so have the best medical and entertainment facilities. Attracting the best theatres and sporting events.

- London is seen as being a cultural world city and is famous for its street theatres in the west end including Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Centralisation of World Cities

World cities have created centralisation of financial activities in 3 main centres, London, New York and Tokyo

Silicon Valley

- Silicon Valley is a city that holds the headquarters for many major companies

- In Silicon Valley a high concentration of skilled education individuals have increased wages

- Due to high wages the median house price has increased to US $1.6 million which is 5 times higher than the Us average

Economic importance of world cities

- Hubs for Production

major manufacturing centers with up-to-date port facilities

facilities - ports, train lines, motorways.

Dominate trade, New York was the 3rd largest US state for exporter of goods in 2024

- Hubs for consumption

Dominate trade, New York was the 5th largest importer of goods for 2024.

Lots of retail stores including high end products like Prada etc.

- Financial centers

largest banks in the world have their headquarters located in world cities, New York City is home to the headquarters of 215 banks.

Major stock exchanges are located in world cities, for example 'Wall Street' in New York.

- Corporate Decision-making

Due to their convenient location and high-order business services like law, banks, trade and advertising world cities are home to many multinational companies headquarters. Out of the 500 biggest companies in 2021 53 had headquarters in New York.

Cultural importance of world cities

- Political decision making

Centers of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), e.g. Amnesty International

Centers of International Organisations like the UN headquarters in New York. Due to this many treaties like the signing of the prohibition of nuclear weapons in 2017 occur in WC's.

Parliament buildings are located in world cities

- Cultural centers

Historical, cultural and scenic activities for tourists and residents like museums and theaters for example the Apollo theater in New York and Statue of Liberty in New York.

Centers of new ideas and innovation for example credit cards and air-conditioning were made in New York

Lead in fashion and design trends e.g. New York Fashion Week

- Transport hub

major airports (Heathrow, London)

Major roads, railways and ports.

- Communication hub

Key locations of media organisations - news, information services, cultural industries for example the New Yorker.

Large tourism industry, New York gets 60-66 million tourists annually

Difference Between Cultural and Economic World Cities

Cultural World Cities: Known for creative industries, tourism, heritage, arts, and global lifestyle influence (e.g. Paris, Kyoto, New York).

Economic World Cities: Powerhouses of finance, trade, corporate headquarters, and global business decisions (e.g. Tokyo, Shanghai, Frankfurt).

Some cities do both: London and New York are classic examples — mixing cultural prestige with economic clout.