Core Concepts Reviewed Gaining an a-where-ness of the world:)

Space Where and how things are distributed over the surface of the Earth. “Spatial” is the adjective used to describe things having to do with space – (e.g. mapping out where rice is grown would be a spatial analysis.) E.g. describe location of your house.

Place refers to a particular location on the earth that has a distinctive character. Geographers are interested in how things interact with each other. Geographers explore what places mean, how people shape places, and how places shape our lives. E.g. what is your home like? Discuss its characteristics and features.

Environment Geographers investigate environments (natural and built). Includes the nature, dimensions and causes of environmental change, the reciprocal relationships between the environment and people; the resources natural systems provide and their sustainability. e.g. how immigration is changing neighbourhood demography

Scale refers to the size of the area we’re interested in, and the level of detail we’re using. Usually these go together, so looking at a broader area means we’re seeing less fine detail, and vice-versa. Things will appear differently if we examine them at different scales, so it is always important to consider whether you are thinking about an issue at the appropriate scale.