LEC 2 + 3 - Human Geography

Question 1

Space definition

Answer 1

Areal extent of something

Question 2

Absolute Space

Answer 2

Objective, physically real, measurable

Question 3

Relative Space

Answer 3

Locations identified by their relative positioning and importance
- Prioritized clarity vs accuracy

Question 4

Location Definition

Answer 4

Refers to a particular position in space

Question 5

Absolute Location

Answer 5

Relatively stable, unchanging
- Using co-ordinates

Question 6

Relative Location

Answer 6

Subject to change and interpretation
- “A short drive from downtown”

Question 7

Nominal Location

Answer 7

A location of significance given a name
- can be contested

Question 8

Place Definition

Answer 8

A location with a particular identity, meaning or significance

Question 9

Sense of Place

Answer 9

The personally significant attachments we associate with certain places

Question 10

Placemaking

Answer 10

Transformation of space or location into place

Question 11

Placeless

Answer 11

Having little to no meaning
- Big Box stores

Question 12

Distance Definiton

Answer 12

The amount of space between two or more location

Question 13

Distribution Definition

Answer 13

The distance between geographic phenomena

Question 14

Density Definition

Answer 14

The Frequency with which something exists in a measured area

Question 15

Dispersion

Answer 15

How something is spread over an area

Question 16

Concentrated/Clustered

Answer 16

Objects are close together

Question 17

Dispersed

Answer 17

Objects are far apart

Question 18

Region Definition

Answer 18

A part of the world that is different / distinct from the rest

Question 19

Regionalization

Answer 19

We simplify our complex world and its human/physical geographic patterns and processes into regions

Question 20

Regionalization Example at McMaster

Answer 20

The physical activity, the health sci, the eng, the residents

Question 21

Scale

Answer 21

A way to think about society at different levels or layers
- Global, national, regional, provincial, etc.

Question 22

Landscapes

Answer 22

Visible features of the land
Can be natural/physical or human/cultural

Question 23

Cultural Landscape

Answer 23

The outcome of interactions between people and their environments (visible human imprint on land)
- Cultural groups modify their land to suit their needs
- Colonialism devastated many traditional indigenous landscapes

Question 24

Relocation Diffusion

Answer 24

The spread of ideas, characteristics, etc. from one area to another via physical movement of people
- Immigrants

Question 25

Expansion Diffusion

Answer 25

The spread of innovations and other phenomena

Question 26

Expansion Diffusion Subtypes

Answer 26

Hierarchical - Ideas, diseases, leapfrogging from one place to another, temporarily bypassing

Contagious - rapid and widespread diffusion of a characteristic

Question 27

Mental Maps

Answer 27

A unique personal representation of reality
- Based on perceptions
- Children drawing neighbourhood example