Geography for the IBDP wiki: HL2: Changing space

Changing space - The shrinking world

Time-space convergence and the reduction in the friction of distance

Time-space convergence

Time-space convergence: this process concerns the changing relationship between time and space, and notably the impacts of transportation improvements on such a relationship. It is closely related to the concept of speed, which indicates how much space can be traveled over a specific amount of time.

Source: http://www.thegeographeronline.net/changing-space---the-shrinking-world.html

Reduction in the friction of distance

Sea Travel - Containerization

Modern Shipping Lanes

Source: http://www.thegeographeronline.net/changing-space---the-shrinking-world.html

Source: http://www.thegeographeronline.net/changing-space---the-shrinking-world.html

Advantages

Cheaper over long distances
No cost in building transport routes (seas/oceans already exist)
Good for bulky low cost non-perishable goods e.g. coal
Costs are spread over a large area (modern container ships hold thousands of containers)
Containerization has sped up the process of loading and unloading. Unlike planes containers can be directly transferred to lorries and trains.
Refrigerated containers now allow more products to be transported

Disadvantages

Much slower than air travel
Some countries are landlocked so can not receive shipments
Ships are expensive to build - steel is expensive
There are long waiting lists for large containers ships
Oil prices are expensive so fuel for ships is expensive
Some routes have to be built and maintained and enlarged e.g. Panama and Suez Canal
Some shipping routes have to be dredged
Ports are expensive to build and can damage delicate wetland areas
Risk of attack by pirates and cost of protecting ships e.g. Horn of Africa
Ships can have accidents and cause environmental damage e.g. oil leaks and hitting reefs
Cargo can be lost overboard in bad weather
Can encourage smuggling

Source: http://www.thegeographeronline.net/changing-space---the-shrinking-world.html

Source: http://www.geographyalltheway.com/ib_geography/ib-global-interactions/imagesetc/international-seaborne-trade.png

How much bigger can container ships get?

Air travel

Source: http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2008/09/08/mapping-a-connected-world/

Source: http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2008/09/08/mapping-a-connected-world/

Advantages

Fast over long distances
Planes don't get stuck in traffic, unlike cars and lorries
Good for high value perishable goods e.g. flowers, animals
Can reach landlocked countries

Disadvantages

Planes cause a lot of pollution (noise, air and visual) - contribute greenhouse effect
Cost of flying is expensive, especially as price of oil increases
Airports are expensive to build and take up large areas
Can only carry small loads compared to ships
Air routes are fixed
Planes can be cancelled due to bad weather
Aircraft are expensive to build and maintain
Waiting lists for aircraft are long

Source: http://www.thegeographeronline.net/changing-space---the-shrinking-world.html