Geography and World Regions: Content Summary G.3: Spatial Reorganization

Geographers believe that there is pattern, regularity, and reason to the locations of people, places, and environments on the earth and that they are the result of spatial processes. (G.3.A)

The growth and decline of cities, for example, may be related to their proximity to important transportation routes, which grow and change over time. (G.3.A)

Two factors influence spatial organization: friction of distance and spatial association. The concept of friction of distance suggests that the frequency or volume of interaction declines as the distance between geographic spaces, places, or regions increases. (G.3.A)

Developments in trade may lead to the growth of ports and distribution centers, or the increased consumption of a product may result in more intensive agricultural land use, mining, or expansion of production facilities. (G.3.A)

Developments in trade may lead to the growth of ports and distribution centers, or the increased consumption of a product may result in more intensive agricultural land use, mining, or expansion of production facilities. (G.3.A)

Birth and mortality rates, which are influenced by cultural, economic, environmental, and political factors, shape spatial reorganization. (G.3.B)

Geographers attempt to explain the relationships between birth and mortality rates through the Demographic Transition Model (DTM). This model suggests that societies undergo stages during which the pace of population growth or decline changes. (G.3.B)

Societies with rapid population growth may need additional land for residential spaces, commercial development, and food production. (G.3.B)

Societies with slowing growth or population decline may have to repurpose old structures or maintain buildings and infrastructures that are in less demand. (G.3.B)

Societies with slowing growth or population decline may have to repurpose old structures or maintain buildings and infrastructures that are in less demand. (G.3.B)

The relationship between birth and mortality rates is heavily influenced by health challenges and technological advancements, but often cultural values and norms related to family structures also play a role in total fertility rates. (G.3.B)

Geographers attempt to explain the motivations for migration through a discussion of push-and-pull factors. (G.3.C)

Those who migrate by choice may be reacting to aspects of their local economy, government, or culture that are unfavorable enough to “push” them away from their current homes. Others leave because they are drawn by more favorable conditions in another region that “pull” them to relocate. (G.3.C)

For example, the steady migration from rural to urban areas over the last two centuries has been tied to both the decline of available jobs in agriculture (push factor) and the expansion of economic opportunities in urban areas (pull factor). (G.3.C)

Unlike migrants who may choose to leave conditions they find to be unfavorable, refugees are typically fleeing threats to basic survival (war, natural disasters, militias) or are compelled by local governments to leave against their will. (G.3.C)

Unlike migrants who may choose to leave conditions they find to be unfavorable, refugees are typically fleeing threats to basic survival (war, natural disasters, militias) or are compelled by local governments to leave against their will. (G.3.C)

Unlike migrants who may choose to leave conditions they find to be unfavorable, refugees are typically fleeing threats to basic survival (war, natural disasters, militias) or are compelled by local governments to leave against their will. (G.3.C)

Migration modifies patterns of rural and urban settlement on local-to-global scales, and those patterns impact everything from trade to culture. Emigration (out-migration) can dramatically change the demographics and labor pool of the sending society. (G.3.D)

Family left behind in sending societies sometimes receive remittances and financial support from family members who have emigrated to somewhere with more favorable economic conditions. (G.3.D)

However, an influx of people can also stretch the capacity of resources and services. (G.3.D)

As migrants assimilate to new local or national cultures to varying degrees, migration can also result in cultural diffusion and cultural syncretism. (G.3.D)

As migrants assimilate to new local or national cultures to varying degrees, migration can also result in cultural diffusion and cultural syncretism. (G.3.D)

As migrants assimilate to new local or national cultures to varying degrees, migration can also result in cultural diffusion and cultural syncretism. (G.3.D)

Urbanization has had similar effects on sending and receiving societies globally: rural areas typically see a decline in young adults and job opportunities, while urban areas experience an influx of young workers seeking employment. (G.3.D)

Dramatic population changes alter the usage of infrastructure and services as well as tax revenue. (G.3.D)