GGH1501 - Know Your World: Introduction To Geography
Exam (elaborations)
GGH1501 Memos
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Course
GGH1501 - Know Your World: Introduction To Geography
Institution
University Of South Africa
GGH1501 Memos
GGH-MAY-JUNE MEMO
SECTION A
1 4
2 3
3 3
4 5
5 2
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7 4
8 2
9 1
10 1
11 3
12 4
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14 2
15 No numbers on map
SECTION B
QUESTION 1
1.1. Phenomena: Active volcanoes
Spatial location - It refers to where a phenomenon is situated. It can either be
given in absol...
QUESTION 1
1.1. Phenomena: Active volcanoes
Spatial location - It refers to where a phenomenon is situated. It can either be
given in absolute terms (for example, the geographic coordinate location of
Mayon, the most active volcano in the Phillipines is 13 o 22’ N 125 o 04’ E) or in
relative terms. Relative location is described using descriptive words which
locate the place, facility or feature in relation to other features. For example, an
active volcano called Musuan is located in Bukidnon. Spatial location also
explains the spatial relationship between volcanism and the location of past
volcanic activity. The concept defines the location of past volcanic activity, and
can be used to track evidence of volcanic activity.
Spatial distribution - Spatial distribution is the arrangement of phenomenon
across the earth’s surface and a graphical display of such an arrangement is
an important tool in geographical and environmental statistics. It describes the
relationship between phenomenon in physical space. It explains why
phenomenon exists in a certain location or in a certain distribution pattern. For
example, most active volcanoes in the Philippines exist in the Islands.
Spatial variation - describes the situation that occurs when a quantity that is
measured at different spatial locations exhibits values that differ across the
locations. For example, the nature of active volcanoes in the Philippines differ
, on those located in Islands and those located inland. Both the triggers of an
eruption, and their occurrences are not the same.
Spatial association - is the degree to which things are similarly arranged in
space. Analysis of the distribution patterns of two phenomena is done by map
overlay. In order to explain the locations, spatial variations and distributions we
observe, it is often necessary to also look at one or more other phenomena. It
may be that the distribution pattern of these other phenomena may hold the key
to unravelling the ‘Why is it where it is’ question about the phenomenon we are
investigating. For example, there is a strong degree of association between the
distribution of volcanoes and the boundary of the pacific plate. Over 90% of the
volcanoes are distributed along the western, northern and eastern boundaries
of the plate, the exception is a small cluster of volcanoes in Hawaii which is
located in the centre of the Pacific Plate, more than 4000 kilometres from the
nearest boundary.
1.2. Geographic phenomena - refers to the events that take place in geographic
space and time. An example of geographic phenomena can be artificial (buildings),
natural (rivers) or mixed type (pollution). There are also two common groups of
geographical phenomena which are fields and objects. On fields - for every point
in the study area, a value can be determined, all changes in field values are
gradual. Some examples could be elevation and temperature. Objects are well
distinguishable discrete entities, empty spaces in between the features. Space
grouped into mutually exclusive bounded parts, for example, buildings and roads.
1.3. Spatial variable - refers to the aspects of space that are subject to change, or
that may vary over time. For example, in the case of forest density or vegetation,
moisture affects vegetation change in the park; if the soils are well drained, zonal
vegetation results. If soils are poorly drained, the vegetation is shrubby and has
little or no tree growth. If the soils are rapidly drained, the vegetation is azonal with
large increases in shrubby components of vegetation.
If surface material depth (soils, parent material) is greater than 1 foot, normal
vegetation growth can be expected for the area. In forest and grasslands,
vegetation may be eliminated or thin on shallow soils or parent material, allowing
room for weed species to grow, and changing the successional sequence of the
site.
The aspect or slope affects the vegetation dramatically. In mountainous portions,
north and south facing slopes differ greatly as a result of steep slopes and aspect
changes creating large energy differentials. Pine and grasses will dominate on
S.W. slopes, while spruce fir and mossy ground flora dominates on the N.W.
slopes. Tree species, will respond to changes induced by fire and do not reflect the
aspect differences as do the ground flora.
, As elevation increases, relative humidity increases and evapotranspiration
decreases. A change in trees (overstory) results in a change in the species of the
understory. Climate becomes harsher and only certain species thrive.
1.4. When comparing datasets, it is important to consider the temporal component
of spatial data. The demand of space-time analysis, combined with developments
in fields such as exploratory data analysis (searching for trends and patterns) and
scientific visualisation (to visualise in an interactive environment with sophisticated
tools) make cartographers to strongly consider their approach to the temporal
component of spatial data. Dealing with temporal data distinguishes three types,
states, events and evidence. From a cartographic perspective mapping and
comparing the temporal component of spatial data is not new. Temporal GIS
increased the demand for maps displaying the temporal component. Maps now
function as the new interface to geographic databases that will increasingly include
temporal as well as spatial components.
1.5. Population pyramid of a less economically developed country (LED).
Trends revealed by the pyramid
The above shows an example of an expansive population pyramid used to describe
populations that are young and growing, and is reflective of a Less Economically
Developed (LED) country. They are often characterised by their typical ‘pyramid’
shape, which has a broad base and narrow top. Expansive population pyramids
show a larger percentage of the population in the younger age cohorts, usually with
each age cohort smaller in size than the one below it. These types of populations
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