Comparative Geography: Analysis of Richmond and Surrey Sub-areas

This research compares Richmond and Surrey sub-areas based on physical geography, main economic sectors, and population characteristics to determine which is better to settle and raise a family in the next decade. Richmond has good water supply, vacation spots, and 7 hills. Surrey has more green space, a developing economy, and a higher population growth rate. Richmond is a well-established economic hub, while Surrey is a developing city. Based on the analysis, Richmond would be the most favorable destination for a family compared to Surrey within the Vancouver in the next decade.

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Name
Instructor
Human Geography
October 16, 2018
Comparative Geography:
Introduction
The City of Vancouver is a waterfront, seaport city on the terrain of British Columbia.
Situated on the western portion of the Burrard Peninsula, Vancouver is limited toward the north
by English Bay and the Burrard Inlet and toward the south by the Fraser River. Bone (73) stated
that, Metro Vancouver city comprises of a confederacy of 22 cities, one electoral area and one
treaty first nation. Some of these cities include; Abbotsford, Surrey, city of Vancouver, village of
Lions Bay, Langley, Coquitlam, maple Ridge, Burnaby, Richmond, corporation of Delta, Bowen
Island of Municipality, just to mention but a few(Briney). Figure (a) below shows the map of the
great Vancouver and hence the location of the sub-areas. This research is prepared so as to draw
up a conclusion on which of the two cities (Surrey, and Richmond) is better to settle and raise
new family in the next decade by comparative geography analysis of Richmond and Surrey sub-
areas. Studies on main economic sectors, population characteristics, and physical geography of
these two cities will form the basis elements of these research. The research will consider each of
the elements/ methods aforementioned and comparison between the Richmond and Surrey cities
conducted as in the following section.

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Figure (a) Greater Vancouver, Canada.
Methods 1:
 Physical geography
In "Physical Geography | Geography 250", physical geography is defined as the sub-
branch of Geography which entails the study of the spatial characteristics of the various natural
phenomena occurring on the earth; patterns and processes of natural environment. Physical
geography manifestations includes hydrological cycle, occurrence of seasons, soils, climate
zones, streams and rivers, coastal terrain ecosystem etc. these features of physical geography
tend to define civilizations and settlement characteristics. Lefringhausen and Marshall (50)
records that civilizations around places with mountains, hike spots, swimming and fishing waters
attract individuals keen on recreational activities and alike such as hiking, mountain climbing,
fishing etc. On the other hand civilization of people inhabiting flat terrain and flat fertile soil
regions tend to lean towards agriculture and farming, commerce etc.
Results
Richmond is positioned at the head of the passable part of the James River sandwiched
between Virginia's coastal plains and the Piedmont, beyond which are the Blue Ridge
Mountains. It covers an area of 62.55 square miles and occurs at 312 feet above the seal level

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with average temperatures 36.6 Farads in January, 77.9 Farads in July and an annual average
temperatures of 57.7 Farads. Richmond city records an annual rainfall precipitation of 43.13
inches and snowfall of 16.9 inches (Virginia. a Synopsis of the Geology, Geography, Climate
and Soil of the State, Together with Its Resources of Mines, Forests and Fields, Etc. 9). Belle
Isle, Williams and Mayos Islands are found in Richmond city. In total, 8 streams pass within
Richmond city such as; Walker Creek, Goode Creek, Reedy Creek, Bacons Quarter Branch,
Shockoe Creek, Broad Rock Creek, Jordans Branch and Cannon Branch. The Gambles Hill is
also another interesting physical feature found in Richmond. Based on these findings, Richmond
definitely has good water supply from the streams and the Jordan River as well as vacation spots
for adventurous family and fun time out at the Islands or in recreational activities such as Hill
climbing (Gambles Hill), swimming, water sports etc.in total, Richmond has within it 7 hills
namely: Church, Gambles, Council Chamber, Navy, Shockoe, Union and French Garden
(Physical Geography - University of Richmond Blogs).
Figure depicting Richmond Hill Canada Average monthly temperatures

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Figure showing average monthly rainfall in Richmond.
Surrey is bordered by a number of communities such as Langley to the East, Delta to the
West, and to the south lies the White Rock. Surrey is bounded by notably the longest river in
British Columbia, the Fraser River. Two hour drive southwards from Surrey borders lies Seattle
(major city in America). Approximately 6000 acres of land in surrey are designated parklands.
According to Briney, A lot of green space is available in Surrey compared to any sub area with
the metro Vancouver community. Surrey comprises of beaches, plenty of land for agriculture, a
number forest covers and the terrain is relatively flat. Also, Serpentine River and Nicomekl
Rivers runs through Surrey. Surrey is located in coastal temperature rainforest zone with average
temperatures of 22/72 farads during summer and 5/41 Farads in winter and an estimated average
temperature of 41 inches (Virginia. a Synopsis of the Geology, Geography, Climate and Soil of
the State, Together with Its Resources of Mines, Forests and Fields, Etc. 14). Surrey hence
provides a suitable destination for family homes and open environment with suitable climate
characteristics. Its proximity to Seattle makes in accessible and the extensive green space in quite
inviting.

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Figure showing average monthly temperatures in Surrey.
Figure showing average monthly temperature and precipitation in Surrey.

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From the above comparison, between Richmond and Surrey, it is no doubt that Surrey
would be probably most suitable based on their physical geography characteristics.
Method 2:
 Main economic sectors
Financial aspects is a sociology that measures with the life-cycle of produces and
ventures. It is an examination of in what manner advancement and fund interchange about
human needs and wants to give items and managements to the general population. Considerate
financial aspects is rudimentary to business realization. Economics hugely touches on everyday
survives and wallets astoundingly, notwithstanding whether they aren't certainly related with
economic examinations. Variations in circumstances or government directives on any share of a
commerce creates a progressively outstretching influence of cost fluctuations over numerous
ventures to the finale purchaser. Therefore, economic factors is an essential consideration for an
individual or family when moving to a specific location even for a short while and more so when
looking for a place to settle in.
Results
Richmond city boasts of a variety of industries which has earned it its reference as the
Virginia’s working capital. "Key Industries | Richmond VA, Economic and Community
Development" shows that Richmond city is a powerhouse to a range of industries such as in
manufacturing and transportation, medical, knowledge based services, finance, biotechnology
etc. the city is home to more than 450 companies in advanced manufacturing sector with some of
the notable ones being the Universal, Westrock, Newmarket companies. In knowledge based
industries, it identified as the creativity hotspot. In this regard, notably, Adweek’s Agency which
was recently voted agency of the year is located at Richmond city. Richmond is also home to the
Fifth District Federal Reserve Bank and industry leaders like BB&T, SunTrust and Wells Fargo
as well as boutique investment firms.
Surrey on the other hand comprises of few district economic zones. The economic zones
are described from commercial footprints as well as major retail footprints in the Guildford
Town center area. It plays a major role economically in the Vancouver region as it hosts
approximately fifty percent of the Lowe Mainland Industrial. It has large population growth rate

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hence is deemed as investment hotspot s it carries a lot of potentials. Surrey has exhibited good
economic progress in the last decade and could be in future the main economic hub in the region.
Surreys is a developing city economically.
Conclusion
In regard to economic factors, Richmond city is well established economic hub hence
unemployment rates are likely to be lower and better labor rates as compared to surrey which is
still developing hence unemployment rate is likely to be higher and low wage rate. Therefore, for
a steady income for a family, Richmond would be a suitable destination in comparison to Surrey.
Method 3:
 Population characteristics
Population characteristics of an area include population size and density, population
dispersion, age structure, birth rates (Natality), mortality (death rates). Cauchi-Santoro (45)
records that the effect of overpopulation on land takes two worth mentioning configurations:
exploitation of assets, for sample, water, air, minerals nourishment, and petroleum products
squander items as of utilization, for instance, air and water toxins, lethal resources and ozone
depleting affluences. Several people stress that unrestricted populace development will in the end
basis a natural calamity, a reasonable trepidation, and a brisk take a glimpse at the fortuitous
proof undeniably validates the general population has long-drawn-out, the strength of our
situation has moderated. The consequence of such huge numbers of persons on the land has
fetched more or less hardly any researchers begetting a different term to portray our chance—the
Anthropocene age. Driedger, et al. (109) notes that population therefore forms an important
parameter to methodologically analyses and decide on a settlement area. This mainly considers
patterns evident and trends that likely gives a projection on how comfortable or sustainable an
environment would be.
Results
In reference to "Richmond, TX Demographics and Population Statistics -
NeighborhoodScout", Richmond city has a total population of 223,000 over an area of 62.5
square miles placing the population density at least 3700 persons per square mile. The growth

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rate of Richmond city is 4.73 with reference to the year 2017. Richmond.” Richmond, TX
Demographics and Population Statistics. The population characteristics of Richmond city are as
on the figure 1. Below.
Figure showing demographic data on Richmond
Figure showing growth rate in Richmond over years

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Figure showing population by race of Richmond
Surrey
Surrey city has a population of 517,887 as at 2016 census data. This marks an increase of
10 percent from the previous year. Other notable characteristics are as shown. See table 2.
Below.
Figure showing Demographic data for Surrey city.

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Figure showing Population by age groups in comparison to another metropolitan area .

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Chart depicting commuting destination as a total percent of surreys’ total labor force.
Surrey at 44% comes in the favorite followed by Vancouver. Other,
Richmond, Burnaby, Delta and Langley respectively. Richmond and Burnaby tie at
8% while delta and Langley tie at 7%.this is as shown in "popular datasets “for
Surrey.
Conclusion
Based on the above data of the two cities on population characteristics,
Surrey has higher population that Richmond and has a steady rate of population
growth. Due to Surrey’s population, it supplies almost half of its labor force as the
remaining fraction is shared between other areas. In that respect, Surrey would form

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the best choice of settlement when considering self-sustaining society and for non-
advanced or specialty oriented professions with which Richmond would be the
favorite of Surrey.
General conclusion
Summarily, Surrey has rose to become among the leading centers of trade and a key
contributor to Exchequer mainly attributed to excellent transportation links as it occupies
between two international airports namely, Heathrow and Gatwick and is accessible to London
by rail (Team). Surrey also has what has been termed as a beautiful countryside and scenic spots
and offers attractive green space to run, cycle as well as picnic with families. Surrey hills and
other notable physical features makes it a suitable area to raise family and ensure happy leisure
times and peaceful environment. On the other hand, Richmond boasts of a variety unique
experiences such as getting to feel all the four seasons. The city skyline and Jordan River have
been defined to offer breathtaking views at the Brown islands, Libby Park, Rockets landing as
well as the seven Hills which offers a variety of perspectives to viewers. Economically,
Richmond city is on its peak in comparison to Surrey which is yet picking up and maturing
economically. Based on the population characteristics, the projection on the next ten years places
surrey unsure alternative based on high population growth rate marked at 10% which as a result
may result in encroachments on its green space and increase unemployment hence
insecurity(Tsiknis16). Richmond in comparison, has registered a population growth rate of
4.73% as well as low overall population. Rates of employment are likely to be sustained. Hence,
based on above discussion, it would be logical that Richmond would be the most favorable
destination for a family compared to Surrey within the Vancouver in the next decade.

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Works Cited
Bone, Robert M. The Regional Geography of Canada. 5th ed., Oxford University
Press, 2018.
Briney, Amanda. "10 Essential Facts About Vancouver." ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo,
18 Feb. 2010,< www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-vancouver-british-columbia-
1434393>. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.
Cauchi-Santoro, Roberta. "Mapping community identity: Safeguarding the memories of a
city's downtown core." City, Culture and Society, vol. 7, no. 1, 19 Jan. 2016, pp. 43-
54.
Driedger, Leo, et al. Ethnic Demography: Canadian Immigrant, Racial and Cultural
Variations. 2nd ed., Carleton University Press, 2014. Print.
"Key Industries | Richmond VA, Economic and Community Development." Home |
Richmond VA, Economic and Community Development, May 2017,
<www.yesrichmondva.com/richmond-advantages/Key-Industries>. Accessed
23 Oct. 2018.
Lefringhausen, Katharina, and Tara C. Marshall. "Multi-Vancouver Index of Acculturation."
PsycTESTS Dataset, vol. 12, no. 2, 2016, p. 21.
"Physical Geography | Geography 250." University of Richmond Blogs |, 2017,
<blog.richmond.edu/geog250/tag/physical-geography/>. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.
"popular datasets." Welcome - City of Surrey Open Data Catalogue, 19 Oct. 2018,
<data.surrey.ca/>. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.
"Richmond, TX Demographics and Population Statistics - NeighborhoodScout." The
Leading All-in-one Real Estate Market Data Platform in the USA -

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NeighborhoodScout, NeighborhoodScout, 2018,
<www.neighborhoodscout.com/tx/richmond/demographics>. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.
Team, Maphill.com. "Physical 3D Map of Surrey County." Maphill: Web’s Largest Map
Gallery, 10 Dec. 2015,
<www.maphill.com/united-kingdom/england/south-east/surrey-county/3d-maps/
physical-map/>. Accessed 23 Oct. 2018.
Tsiknis, Stella. "Greeks of Metro-Vancouver : identity, culture, and community." Metro-
Vancouver, vol. 25, no. 2, 2 Aug. 2015, p. 16.
Virginia. a Synopsis of the Geology, Geography, Climate and Soil of the State, Together with
Its Resources of Mines, Forests and Fields, Etc. 3rd ed., Richmond [Va., 2013.