GEOG 1HB3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Topological Map, Distance Decay, Absolute Time And Space
8 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Key Concepts in Human Geography
1. SPACE: Areal extent
• Absolute Space: Objective, Physically real with measurable extent and desirable
boundary. It is relatively immovable.
E.g.: McMaster University is an absolute space.
Absolute space is key to map-making, analysis, etc. it is used for Mathematical
projections.
• Relative Space: Subjective, Perceptual and has variable outcome.
Relative Space is used for topological map, sketch maps where scales, distance and
position are guesstimates.
2. LOCATION : refers to a particular position in space
• Absolute (mathematical) Location: Latitude, Longitude, coordinates e.g. 80W 43N. It is
relatively unchanged. Used in Topographic Maps
• Relative (perceived) Location: It is not based on grid coordinates. E.g. Place A is a short
drive from downtown, Place B IS adjacent to Place C.
• Nominal (or toponym) Location: A plae ae e.g. Caada. A loatio of sigifiae
given a name.
3. PLACE: A location with a particular identity or meaning or significance to individuals or
collectively. E.g. Family Home, neighborhood, a favorite bar.
• Sense of Place: the personal significant attachment we associate with certain places e.g.
childhood home (nostalgia). Sense of Place can be positive or negative.
Some places a eoke a sese of plae ee though e hae’t ee there. E.g.
Diseylad a e a sese of plae for ertai people ho hae’t ee there.
Sense of place is reinforced by uniqueness.
• Scared Place: A place that has a particularly strong meaning (often religious) to
individuals and groups. E.g. Church, Mosque, Burial Grounds.
• Placelessness: Opposite of sense of Place. A place that evokes little or no meaning
whatsoever.
Homogeneity or Standardization (nothing special or unique about such placeless place)
e.g. Walmart, gas stations etc.
4. DISTANCE: Space between two or more locations.
• Absolute/Physical distance: 4000KM from A to B
• Travel distance: 5 hours to travel from A to B
• Economic/Communication distance: Plane ticket cost, stamps used for sending mail,
delivery fees.
• Psychological distance: Going to different places of similar distances may feel different.
A night walk in an alley might feel longer than one in daytime.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Key concepts in human geography: space: areal extent, absolute space: objective, physically real with measurable extent and desirable boundary. Absolute space is key to map-making, analysis, etc. it is used for mathematical projections: relative space: subjective, perceptual and has variable outcome. Relative space is used for topological map, sketch maps where scales, distance and position are guesstimates: location : refers to a particular position in space, absolute (mathematical) location: latitude, longitude, coordinates e. g. 80w 43n. Used in topographic maps: relative (perceived) location: it is not based on grid coordinates. Place a is a short drive from downtown, place b is adjacent to place c: nominal (or toponym) location: a pla(cid:272)e (cid:374)a(cid:373)e e. g. (cid:862)ca(cid:374)ada(cid:863). A lo(cid:272)atio(cid:374) of sig(cid:374)ifi(cid:272)a(cid:374)(cid:272)e given a name: place: a location with a particular identity or meaning or significance to individuals or collectively. Family home, neighborhood, a favorite bar: sense of place: the personal significant attachment we associate with certain places e. g. childhood home (nostalgia).
