Topic
Explain how a reduction in the friction of distance results in time/space convergence.
Definition - What is time-space convergence?
Time-space convergence is "the reduction in the time taken to travel between two places due to improvements in transportation or communication technology".
(Source: Nagle, G. & Cooke, B., 2011. Geography: course companion. Oxford: Oxford University Press.)
Videos
James May introduces the reasons why the friction of distance has reduced since 1919 when two British men first attempted to cross the Atlantic in an aeroplane.
Graham Hughes travelled around the world, visiting 201 countries, without using an aeroplane.
Watch this video and find out more about his journey here.
Map - Travel times
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Non-geographic mappingThis map enables you to find out the travel time between two chosen locations using different means of transport.
Explore the map and consider how the introduction of different transport types has reduced travel time and contributed to a shrinking world.
Introduction to globalisation and a shrinking world
The shrinking world
This diagram illustrates how the development of transport has led to a shrinking world from the horse drawn coaches and sailing ships of the 1500's to jet passenger aircraft of the 1960s onwards.
Click on the image to see a larger version...
Definition - What is a Transnational Corporation (TNC)?
Transnational corporation (TNC) is "a firm that owns or controls productive operations in more than one country through direct foreign investment".
(Source: Nagle, G. & Cooke, B., 2011. Geography: course companion. Oxford: Oxford University Press.)
In your text book...
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Geography Course Companion by ISBN: 0199135436Published: 2011-05-19Look at page 322 to find an introduction to time-space convergence. -
Cambridge Geography for the IB Diploma Global Interactions by ISBN: 0521147328Published: 2011-01-20Look at page 27 to find an introduction to the transport and communications revolution. You have online access to this book through the home page of this libguide.
New report and video - Fastest scheduled train
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BBC news reportThis report from 2010 covers the claim made by China that they had set a record for the fastest scheduled train travelling at 262 miles per hour.
Website - Ecumene - IB Geography - Changing space: shrinking world
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Ecumene - IB Geography - Changing space: shrinking worldA brief introduction to 'Changing space: shrinking world".