Reflecting and consolidating

Chapter summary
  • Places are parts of the Earth’s surface that have specific meaning for the people who identify with them.
  • We use the concept of space to better understand where, how and why places are located and connected over the Earth’s surface.
  • How we identify and interact with a place and its spatial features depends on our personal and cultural perspectives on the relationship we have with the place and its natural and human environmental features, and why it is important for us, our culture, our people and our future.
  • Through understanding our and other people’s worldviews – the collection of ideas, beliefs and spiritual connections through which people personally, as groups and cultures, understand, connect with and interact with the world – we are more able to positively connect with other people and cultures.
  • How we see and connect with places includes whether or not we feel safe and included in the place.
  • Where we live and the types of transport available to us have a major influence on how we live and connect with other places.
  • Through including and listening to people’s stories about the importance of place to them we are better able to be part of positive, inclusive and caring communities.
  • A town is defined as a built-up area that is larger than a village and generally smaller than a city, and that has a name, defined boundaries and local government.
  • A city is defined as a large town.
  • Cities host major events that play an important role: they bring people, goods, services and investment into the cities, which leads to economic benefits for the cities.
  • There are many tourist destinations in Australia, providing a wide range of experiences and appealing to different groups of visitors.
Interactive activity

Key terms

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Short-answer questions
  1. List the influences on a person’s sense of place and space.
  2. Discuss why people might move locally or internationally.
  3. Suggest why consensus is important when managing places like Uluru.
  4. Describe the value of transport in an area.
  5. Evaluate the importance of tourism to the Australian economy.
Extended-response question

Everyone has a sense of place, space and belonging. Imagine you are a person with a disability or from a different culture. In a diary entry, explore your perceptions and use of places and spaces in your local area. How does your perception of place and accessibility affect how you engage with and connect to this place?