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Unit 1

1.4 Spatial Concepts

7 min read•june 18, 2024

Riya Patel

Sana Fatah

AP Human Geography 🚜

320 resources

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When geographers are studying locations, they describe their locations, characteristics, and their relation to other important locations. Here are different terms used to describe certain things about a location:

Absolute vs. Relative Location

Absolute location refers to the specific geographical position of a place, usually expressed in terms of its latitude and longitude. It is fixed and does not change.

Here are some examples of absolute locations:

The Empire State Building in New York City is located at 40.7484° N, 73.9857° W.
The Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt is located at 29.9792° N, 31.1342° E.
The Sydney Opera House in Australia is located at 33.8588° S, 151.2140° E.
Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is located at 27.9881° N, 86.9253° E.
The North Pole is located at 90° N, 0° E.

Relative location, on the other hand, refers to the position of a place in relation to other places. It can be described using terms such as "north of," "south of," "near," or "far from." For example, you can describe the relative location of New York City by saying that it is located on the east coast of the United States, north of Washington D.C. and south of Boston. The relative location of a place can change over time, depending on how it is being described or compared to other places.

Here are some examples of relative locations:

"The restaurant is down the street from the museum."
"The park is next to the library."
"The grocery store is across from the post office."
"The school is a few blocks north of the hospital."
"The movie theater is south of the mall."

Summary of Absolute vs. Relative Location

Absolute location: coordinates for a location, does not change

You tell your friend, “I live at 354 McMurray Dr.”

Relative location: location in relation to objects around it

When you are trying to tell your friend where you live, you could say, “I live by the McDonalds and Walmart and the YMCA”. Your friend will have an idea of where you live in relation to those land markers.

Place

Place: a location that has meaning, the unique characteristic of a location

“Downtown” = more urban, skyscrapers, busy and lively

Here are some more examples of places:

New York City - a large, diverse city known for its iconic skyline, bustling streets, and cultural attractions.
The Grand Canyon - a natural wonder in Arizona, known for its vast, colorful gorge and unique rock formations.
The Great Wall of China - a series of ancient fortifications that stretch across northern China, built to protect the country's borders.
The Eiffel Tower - an iconic landmark in Paris, France, known for its distinctive iron structure and breathtaking views of the city.
The Amazon Rainforest - a vast tropical forest in South America, home to a diverse range of plant and animal species.

Spatial Interactions

Time and distance decay: the influence of a place decreases as the time elapsed since an event or interaction with that place increases

Here are some examples of time distance decay:

The memories of a vacation you took several years ago may have faded, while the memories of a vacation you took last year are still fresh in your mind.
The impact of a natural disaster that occurred a decade ago may no longer be as evident in a community, while the impact of a disaster that occurred last year may still be visible.
The popularity of a band or artist may decline over time as they become less active or relevant.
The economic importance of a city or region may change as industries and technologies evolve.
The cultural significance of a monument or historical site may fade as the events it represents become more distant in the past.

Diffusion

Diffusion is the process by which a concept, practice, or innovation spreads from one place or group to another.

Geographers document the location where a characteristic develops and track it as it is carried everywhere over time. Characteristics can include clothing styles, diseases, music, and innovative technology.

Two Types of Diffusion

Relocation diffusion: an idea or innovation spreads through the movement of people from one place to another. This can occur through various forms of migration, such as voluntary migration (e.g. moving for a job or to be with family), forced migration (e.g. as refugees or slaves), and colonization (e.g. the spread of European cultures and languages to the Americas). It can lead to the spread of cultural practices, languages, religions, and other ideas and innovations. For example, the spread of Christianity throughout the world has often occurred through the movement of missionaries and the establishment of new churches in different places. Similarly, the spread of fast food restaurants and coffee shops around the world can be seen as an example of relocation diffusion, as these businesses often expand to new locations through the movement of people and the establishment of new franchises.

Expansion diffusion: a characteristic spreads from one place to another, and each place develops it a little more and adds their unique touch

Here are some examples of expansion diffusion:

The spread of Christianity throughout the world has often occurred through the movement of missionaries and the establishment of new churches in different places.
The spread of the English language has often occurred through the expansion and colonization of English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The spread of fast food restaurants and coffee shops around the world can be seen as an example of expansion diffusion, as these businesses often expand to new locations through the movement of people and the establishment of new franchises.
The spread of Western-style democracy and capitalism to other countries has often occurred through the expansion and influence of Western powers.
The spread of cultural practices, such as holidays and festivals, can also be seen as an example of expansion diffusion, as people bring these traditions with them when they migrate to new places.

Types of Expansion Diffusion

Hierarchical diffusion: spread of an idea or innovation from one central place or group to surrounding places or groups

One example of hierarchical diffusion is the influence of the Kardashians on popular culture. The Kardashians, as a central, influential source, have helped to spread various trends and ideas through their large social media following and the widespread coverage of their lives in the media. These trends and ideas have then diffused to surrounding places and groups through imitation and adoption. For example, the Kardashians have been credited with popularizing various fashion trends, such as contouring makeup, waist trainers, and oversized sunglasses. They have also helped to spread the idea of "selfie culture," as they often share highly curated and edited photos of themselves on social media. These ideas and trends have then diffused to surrounding places and groups, as people follow and imitate the Kardashians in an effort to be fashionable and on trend.

Contagious diffusion: quick, widespread diffusion of a characteristic throughout the population. Social classes do not matter

Some examples of contagious diffusion include:

The spread of a virus or disease through a population. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly across the world through contagious diffusion.
The spread of a new technology or social media platform. For example, the rapid adoption of smartphones and apps like TikTok in recent years can be seen as an example of contagious diffusion.
The spread of a trend or fad. For example, the "Ice Bucket Challenge" that went viral on social media a few years ago can be considered an example of contagious diffusion.
The spread of a meme or joke. For example, the "OK Boomer" meme spread quickly on social media and became a catchphrase used by younger generations to mock or dismiss the attitudes of older people.
The spread of a protest or political movement. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement has spread quickly through social media and has inspired protests and activism around the world.

Stimulus diffusion: the main idea is diffused, but slight changes are made

The expansion of McDonald's to India could be considered an example of stimulus diffusion. In this case, the central, influential source is McDonald's, a fast food chain that originated in the United States. As McDonald's expanded to India, it encountered a new culture with different tastes and preferences. In order to be successful in this new market, McDonald's had to adapt and modify its menu to appeal to Indian consumers. For example, McDonald's in India offers a range of menu items that cater to local tastes, such as chicken and vegetable burgers made with spicy Indian sauces, as well as traditional Indian dishes like chicken tikka and paneer wraps. In this way, McDonald's has diffused its concept of fast food to India, while also being influenced by and adapting to local tastes and preferences. This is an example of stimulus diffusion, as the original idea (fast food) has spread and been modified in the process.

🎥 Watch: AP HUG - Spatial Concepts and Vocab

Browse Study Guides By Unit

🗺Unit 1 – Thinking Geographically

1.0Unit 1 Overview: Thinking Geographically

1.1Introduction to Maps and Types of Maps

1.2Geographic Data

1.3The Power and Uses of Geographic Data

1.4Spatial Concepts

1.5Humans and Environmental Interaction

1.6What are Scales of Analysis?

1.7Regional Analysis

👪Unit 2 – Population & Migration