Geography Concepts & Examples

Key Concepts

• Location: A specific point in space
• Place: Combination of cultural & physical characteristics

Examples of Geography in Action

• Las Vegas Strip: Hotels & casinos are near the airport for convenience; designed for walking, not driving; stadiums are close to hotels for accessibility.
• Stadium Locations: Typically near population centers, downtowns, and transportation systems (e.g., Rogers Centre in Toronto is central; Ottawa's stadium is less used because it's further from downtown).
• Banks: Often located downtown due to the financial ecosystem (e.g., stock markets, accountants, lawyers).
• Transportation Hubs: Central nodes where various transport systems meet (e.g., NYC, London, Toronto); efficient hubs reduce traffic with systems like subways and congestion charges.

Great Lakes

• Largest freshwater system, vital for transport, economy, & geography.

Buffalo, NY

• Known for snow, cereal production, & the Buffalo Bills. Manufacturing thrives but access to Great Lakes is tricky due to Niagara Falls.

Car Industry

• Different nations value cars differently (e.g., Italians: flashy, Germans: reliable). Car dependency in cities like Toronto, Dallas, & LA is due to poor public transit.

Steel Industry

• Shaped cities like Hamilton & Pittsburgh, boosting North American industry.

Nationalism vs. Regionalism

• Nationalism: Pride in the whole country (e.g., Canada's universal healthcare, multiculturalism)
• Regionalism: Pride in regions (e.g., Quebec's distinct culture, Alberta's oil economy).

Important Innovations

• Niagara and Electricity: Nikola Tesla's AC power allowed electricity to travel long distances.
• Inventions: Snowmobiles, maple syrup, snowshoes, and more from Canada.

Urban Geography

• Studies city layouts, social dynamics, and economic functions.
• Example: Condo Boom. Urban development can disconnect people from a sense of place.

Key Locations

• Sunderland: Known for its 18th-century port and declining shipping industry.
• Toronto: Struggles with urban sprawl, car dependency, and traffic issues.
• London: Effective public transport, smart traffic systems, congestion charges.