Geography Key Concepts PDF

Key Concepts 1. Location: A specific point in space. 2. Place: Combination of cultural and physical characteristics. Examples of Geography in Action Las Vegas Strip: Hotels and casinos near the airport for convenience. Designed for walking, not driving. Stadiums close to hotels for ac...

Key Concepts 1. Location: A specific point in space. 2. Place: Combination of cultural and physical characteristics. Examples of Geography in Action Las Vegas Strip: Hotels and casinos near the airport for convenience. Designed for walking, not driving. Stadiums close to hotels for accessibility. Stadium Locations: Typically near population centers, downtowns, and transportation systems. Example: Rogers Centre in Toronto is central, while Ottawa’s stadium is less used because it’s far from downtown. Banks: Found downtown due to the financial ecosystem (e.g., stock markets, accountants, lawyers). Real-Life Connections 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, and geography. Buffalo, NY: Known for snow, cereal production, and the Buffalo Bills. Manufacturing thrives but access to Great Lakes is tricky due to Niagara Falls. Cultural and Economic Geography Car Industry: Different nations value cars differently (e.g., Italians: flashy, Germans: reliable). Car dependency in cities like Toronto, Dallas, and LA due to poor public transit. Steel Industry: Shaped cities like Hamilton and 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.