Globalization, Space, Distribution and Diffusion
Globalization is a force or process that involves the entire world and results in making something
worldwide in scope. Globalization means that the scale (how one place on the earth relates to the earth
as a whole) of the world is shrinking.
Process of globalization has been led by transnational corporations. These multinational corporations
conduct research, operate factories and sell products in many different countries.
Use Pp. 31-32 to assist you in filling out the chart below
POSITIVE ASPECTS OF GLOBALIZATION
NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF GLOBALIZATION
Space
Spatial thinking is how geographers understand the arrangement of objects. They identify the location
of important places and explain why human activities occur in space. Geographers ask “where and
why.” Geographers organize material spatially because they understand that one action in a certain
location can cause a similar action in another location, and thus can create a series of actions in a
number of locations.
Distribution
In studying space, geographers must observe distribution-the arrangement of a particular feature in
space. There are three ways in which geographers observe distribution:
1)
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-the frequency with which something occurs in space
A) Arithmetic Density-total # of objects, people, phenomena in a given area
a. Population Density (Unit 2)-total number of people divided by total land
area
Which nation has the highest population?
Which nation has the highest population density?
What is the population density of Cobb County?
*High population density is unrelated to poverty
2)
the extent of a feature’s spread over space
Two types of concentration:
a. Clustered-objects close together
b. Dispersed-relatively far apart
*In order to compare concentration levels, two areas need to have the same number of
objects and the same size area
How would you describe the distribution of population in the United States?
3)
-how things are arranged, geometrically-speaking
a. Linear distribution
b. Grid patterns
What is the difference between density and concentration? To observe this difference,
let’s observe…
Starbucks has spread all across the globe with over 16,000 stores in 49 different countries, with over
5,000 of those being outside the United States. These statistics are a testament to how far it has spread
over the 30 year period of time.
Density of Starbucks within the U.S.Density of Starbucks within GAWhere is the concentration of those Starbucks in the state of GA?
What deductions can we make about the concentration of Starbucks in Georgia?
Now, let’s observe the hierarchical diffusion of Starbucks
Diffusion
Diffusion is the spread of some phenomena over space and through time from a limited
number of origins.
Two Types:
1)
. When items being diffused leave the area of origin
and move to new areas.
Ex. Blues music to Chicago from Memphis, TN
2)
. When items spread geographically by passing from
one person to another while remaining with the first person.
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Ex. Spread of Christianity, Spread of Cricket
Relocation Diffusion is often followed by Expansion Diffusion
The Diffusion Process has three separate regularities: (Expansion Diffusion Types)

-places near the origin are usually affected first.
Therefore the farther you are from the point of origin, the later you will be
affected.
Ex. Farming techniques, spread of Islam
Diffusion processes do not, however, always follow the rule of distance.
Sometimes distance is less important to the spread of an idea or disease than
contact with major cities or influential people.

-when phenomena spread first to major cities, then to
intermediate-size places and later to small towns and rural areas.
Ex. Starbucks, Crocs (both?

-eventual spread of phenomena; it is not rapid, nor
easily adopted; these ideals can have a long term impact.
Ex. Hamburgers in India, industrialization in undeveloped areas
Barriers to Diffusion: physical or cultural
Facilitators of Diffusion: cultural acceptance or legalization of factors
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