Human Geography: GEOG 1110 Critical Thinking Journal Assignment

This assignment is a critical analysis of human geography, examining the connections between various locations and human experiences. The student explores three distinct sites: Langara College, Mission Sikh Temple, and Balzac's Coffee café. At Langara College, concepts like density, dispersion, and sense of place are analyzed, highlighting the impact of population distribution and personal attachments to space. The Mission Sikh Temple is examined through the lens of sacred place, focusing on the significance of religious objects and practices. Balzac's Coffee café is studied in terms of diffusion and topophilia, illustrating the spread of cultural elements and the emotional connections people form with places. The analysis includes observations and reflections on the student's personal experiences and cultural background, demonstrating a deep understanding of geographical concepts and their application to real-world settings. The assignment uses both primary and secondary research, drawing on course concepts and personal observations to provide a comprehensive and insightful exploration of human geography. The student effectively uses the concepts of place, space, and culture to analyze the three locations.

GEOGRAPHY 1110
[Author Name(s), First M. Last, Omit Titles and Degrees]
[Institutional Affiliation(s)]

Introduction
In this critical analysis of the journal there is illustration of the connection between various
different types of the connection and the human geography. Having this kind of explanation
properly understood, at least three varying locations were chosen. The starting location was
Langara College, followed by Mission Sikh Temple and finally Balzac’s Coffee café which is
located in St. Catharine’s, Canada.
Langara College
Density, Dispersion, Pattern
Dispersion and density have been identified as two descriptors of the population which have the
potential in the provision of the processes like territoriality and competition. Understanding of
these concepts was considered to be very fundamental as far as the analysis of the population at
Langara College.
Density estimation can be achieved by the use of various ways. This will be dependent on the
habitat as well as the organism. In this particular case, there was use of the Quadrat sampling
since the area of the study which is Langara College had its shape and size known. The area
could be described as densely populated with the ratio being 1 person per square metre. This
kind of the larger number can be attributed to shortage of the essential facilities like the
accommodation rooms.
Dispersion patterns are basically referring to the manner in which individuals are arranged in
specific ecology (Sluyter et al.2010). The type of pattern in Langara College would be described
as random although closer look would communicate otherwise. The specific areas had clumped
dispersion particularly in the dining rooms.

Sense of place
Scholars have described it as the attachment which non-humans and humans have for for the
places for self-importance As can be seen from the previous discussion, whatever was in the
selected room was of importance to me. There was decoration of the living with with very
attractive pictures. Some of these pictures were for may close relatives and friends. On the wall
there was a photo belonging to my family members. This was centrally positioned hence it acted
as the point of attraction to anyone in the building. Member of my family have been residents of
India. Considering that most of these pictures had their reflections on the culture of India, I
always remained reminded of the same and felt at home. This was the best way of having
individual construction in terms of identity since it has close relationship life experience. It is
important to note that not only objects are refered to as the physical places but also human beings
tend to have physical attachment to the places. This comes with the experience of what places
entails in details. Human beings have emotional connection to the places although they have
different meaning.
In addition, it is vital mentioning the role of the migration to the emotional attachment of human
beings to places. I can personally attest as an individual the role or the experience which I have
had since the migration from India to Canada. Through this concept, I learnt of my real
connection with the environment which I was getting adapted with time. My connection with the
place was through issues of gifts that I had received from the parents. This was coupled with the
act or experience of loneliness which I could encounter occasionally (Radcliffe et al.2010).
Radcliffe et al.2010 has effectively used the concept of quantitative and qualitative methods
while illustrating the connection between the human’s sense and the process of migration.
Mission Sikh Temple

Location
The chosen unique place of worship called The Gur Sikh Gurdwara (temple). The place is
strategically located at South Fraser Way in Abbotsford. In the case of gurdwara, one particular
object remains to be outstanding to any individual on the site. It is called Sikh’s Holy Scripture.
It is commonly refered to as ‘Guru Granth Sahib Ji’. . Every member of Sikh usually show
respect by bestowing their head in front of this particular book which is perceived to be holy.
Also all the individuals are expected to cover their heads as a sign of respect towards the same
scripture.
Sacred Place
The religious temple of Sikh was considered as the next location for this particular study in
relation to the geographical concepts under the study. I definition focuses on having spiritual or
religious meaning for that matter. This was the reason why I considered nanaksar gurdwara
which is found in Richmond to be of significance. As per the provided lecture notes it is a site
with specific associated values and location. This implies that the identity of the responsible
individual is distinct in the cultural aspect. The selection of the place was due to the fact that it
was having values of religious characteristics. It was noted that children of gurdwara children
attend classes of music and this is conducted by the use of chants which are commonly refered to
as ‘shabad’. Majority of the festivals of Sikh are usually celebrated at this point due to the
previously known religious functions attached to it.
Balzac's Coffee café
Diffusion

According to the literature sources, diffusion refers to periodic spread of a phenomenon. It
became the starting concept in the selected café which was under the study -Balzac’s Coffee café
which is located in St. Catharine’s, Canada. This particular concept was selected to assist in the
understanding of the culture of Indian in the country Canada where it has since spread. Balzac’s
Coffee café hosts several shops whose architectural design resembles those used in India. Every
time I set foot in this particular place, Balzac’s Coffee café the feeling is that I am in India. Some
of the shops found here include Punjabi bakeries, sweets shops among others. Coupled with the
visit to the spot, I began watching everything in that Balzac's Coffee bistro and took a few notes.
I saw that how different shops are arranged in a littler space and those things helps me to
remember India where I used to get similar areas. There were additionally a great deal of shops
situated in an exceptionally littler region and now I have an inclination that Indian culture is
totally diffused all around.
Additionally, that Balzac's Coffee bistro is unique in relation to other Canadian stores on the
grounds that in different stores, everything is accessible at just one spot. Further, human's
relationship with the scene does make a difference a great deal as it depicts the significant of the
social qualities which characterizes the job of dissemination to a particular spot. Likewise, there
is no compelling reason to go from one spot to other in the Balzac's Coffee bistro. For example,
Walmart and Canadian superstore gives everything of day by day needs under same rooftop.
Human topography assumes a significant job in characterizing areas. Culture is consequently
evolved with the presence of individuals to a particular spot. In any case, it is absolutely inverse
in India which I portrayed before that individuals must go to various shops to get stuff. I found
the comparative thing in Balzac's Coffee bistro
Topophilia

It is characterized as the "affection for a spot" with most of the scholars commonly referring to it
as “having love for a particular place”. It was another idea I considered interesting for the study.
I picked this idea as I love Balzac's Coffee café a lot a great deal. It invigorates me certain vibes
and to take care of the issues. I discovered individuals present putting on same sort of garments
as worn in India which made it more interesting. The place is generally unique with interesting
features. Strict spots are significant throughout everyday life and it gives a vibe of connectedness
to a spot. Geographers for the most part put consideration on the spots of love locales. Also, I
like the network kitchen in gurdwara in which free nourishment is served to individuals of each
religion notwithstanding of any segregation (Blunt2007).
My Topophilia towards that spot is additionally in light of the fact that individuals do seva
(intentional help) in the network kitchen with care. In people group kitchen, individuals sat in
lines and eat nourishment and discuss 'waheguru' or what is commonly refered to as religious
chanting. At whatever point I start any new work, at that point go to gurdwara and I do ardaas
(Sikh's supplication or prayer) before the god. I generally demonstrate my commitment to god by
investing energy at gurdwara. In addition, global development helps in delivering the new social
religions or gatherings. As I am a veggie lover individual, consequently I like the standard of
Sikh's sanctuary where just vegan nourishment is permitted.
Conclusion
So as to have proper or critical journal analysis of the presented cases, an opportunity was sought
for the observation of some of the interesting points or sites keenly. There was expenditure of a
lot of time during the analysis of the research notes and other observations. The findings were
that a lot of development has taken place with time.

REFERENCES
Blunt, A. (2007). Cultural geographies of migration: mobility, transnationality and
diaspora. Progress in human geography, 31(5), 684-694.
Radcliffe, S. A., Watson, E. E., Simmons, I., Fernández-Armesto, F., & Sluyter, A. (2010).
Environmentalist thinking and/in geography. Progress in Human Geography, 34(1), 98-116.
Sluyter, A., Radcliffe, S. A., Watson, E. E., Simmons, I., & Fernández-Armesto, F. (2010).
Environmentalist thinking and/in geography. Progress in Human Geography, 34.