2.b. Places are represented through a variety of contrasting formal and informal agencies

Question 1

how are places represented

Answer 1

-the way in which a place is represented by the media influenced how we feel about that place. It can be split into formal and informal

Question 2

How can places be represented formally

Answer 2

• linked with statistics which describe data associated with particular places e.g. crime figures
• they are fact so no bias
• produced by people employed by the government
• most effective formal representation is a census. ACs hold regular surveys which are accurate
• large indrease in quantity and quality of geospatial data accessible to public
• allows places to be describes and investigated

Question 3

Examples of formal representations

Answer 3

• census data
• crime figures
• road network
• rainfall totals

Question 4

Advantages of formal representations

Answer 4

• based on reliable, accurate, facual information
• range of data is collected to provide a broader picture
• data may reflect how a place changes over time

Question 5

Disadvantages of formal representations

Answer 5

• can provide only partial representations of a place
• data can be hard to interpret
• now always up to date
• limited in their ability to indicate aspects of a place profile
• offers a rational perspective of a place profile

Question 6

How can places be represented informally

Answer 6

• tv and film portray places visually. They place major roles in representing places- sounds and sights. The lens can give wide angles views, showing their geograpical context. Can zoom in on detail of place
• Tv soaps- build up place profiles of the area
• combination of fiction with real life location can be used to market a place
• composers and authors can use their medium to depict places

Question 7

Examples of informal representations

Answer 7

• tv
• film
• music
• art
• photography

Question 8

Advantages of informal representations

Answer 8

• reflects sounds and emotions within a place
• can show wider context- wider camera angles
• geographical context- detail of a place
• real life location- powerful images

Question 9

Disadvantages of informal representations

Answer 9

• may be based upon fiction/made up
• stereotypes
• misleading
• subjective
• images have to be analysed with care as representations may not be realistic

Question 10

Example of formal representations- cenus- what year was the first census held

Answer 10

1801 (England/Wales)

Question 11

Example of formal representations- cenus- how often is it carried out

Answer 11

every 10 years, continuing without a break

Question 12

Example of formal representations- cenus- what information does it include

Answer 12

• personal information e.g. date of birth, gender, education qualifications, housing, health, religion
• basic source of data is the household

Question 13

Example of formal representations- cenus- why is census data important

Answer 13

• essential for government planning

- allocation of resources for areas e.g. schools

Question 14

Example of informal representation- Tv soap EastEnders- how is the physical geography portrayed

Answer 14

• polluted
• poorly constucted houses
• dominated by slums
• lack of sanitation

Question 15

Example of informal representation- Tv soap EastEnders- how is the humsn geography portrayed

Answer 15

• racial conflicts between hindus and Muslims
• more boys than girls
• access to education limited
• poor health

Question 16

Example of formal representation- Census data- Mumbai (2011)

Answer 16

• population 22 million
• Dharvi is largest slum and 69% literacy rate
• sex selective abortions- gender imbalance
• 68% of workforce employed by informal sector