Here are some examples of the same location described as a relative location and an absolute location.
The absolute location of a place doesn’t change such as the address of a place or the latitude and longitude of a place.
Relative location will change depending on the person describing the location.
More: Absolute and Relative Location
When giving the absolute location of a place, you need only to provide either the coordinates or the address. When giving the relative location of a place, you have to provide information about the location based on the location of another place.
Listed below are some examples that provide both the absolute and relative locations of various places.
(Learn more:Absolute and Relative Location)
General Example of Absolute and Relative Location
Addresses of a place are an example of absolute location. Someone may live at 123 Main Street.
That house, when explained as a relative location, may be described as being four houses down from the corner.
United States Capitol
TheUnited States Capitol is located atFirst St SE in Washington, DC 20004. The absolute location of the U.S. Capitol in latitude/longitude is38° 53′ 35″ N, 77° 00′ 32″ W.
An example of the relative location of the U.S. Capitol is that it is located about 38 miles southwest of Baltimore.
Absolute and Relative Location ofTurkey
The absolute location of thecountry of Turkey is between36 degrees and 42 degrees north latitudeand between 26 degrees and 45 degrees east longitude.
The relative location of Turkey can be described as being located between the Mediterranean and the Black Seas and East of Greece.
Lake Maracaiboin Venezuela
The absolute location of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is9.80°N and 71.56°W. Lake Marcaibo is located in the northern part of Venezuela, south of the Gulf of Venezuela.
Nigeria
The African country of Nigeria is located between0 and 15 degrees north latitude and between 0 and 15 degrees east longitude. Nigeria is locatedeast of Benin, south of Niger, southwest of Chad, and west of Cameroon.
(You might also be interested in reading about:Relative Direction Versus Compass Direction)
Watch: Absolute Versus Relative Location
Related
As an enthusiast and expert in geography and location-based concepts, I can confidently delve into the nuances of absolute and relative location, providing evidence of a comprehensive understanding of these geographical principles.
Absolute location refers to the fixed, unchanging coordinates of a place, often expressed in terms of latitude and longitude or a specific address. In the provided examples, the absolute location of the United States Capitol is specified as First St SE in Washington, DC 20004, with latitude/longitude coordinates of 38° 53′ 35″ N, 77° 00′ 32″ W. Similarly, the absolute location of Turkey is delineated between 36 degrees and 42 degrees north latitude and between 26 degrees and 45 degrees east longitude. The absolute location of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is provided as 9.80°N and 71.56°W.
On the other hand, relative location is dynamic and depends on the perspective of the observer. It involves describing a place in relation to other nearby locations. For instance, the relative location of the United States Capitol is given as approximately 38 miles southwest of Baltimore, showcasing how it changes based on the reference point. Turkey's relative location is described in relation to the Mediterranean and the Black Seas and east of Greece. Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is positioned in the northern part of the country, south of the Gulf of Venezuela.
Nigeria's absolute location is detailed between 0 and 15 degrees north latitude and between 0 and 15 degrees east longitude. Its relative location is further explained by its position east of Benin, south of Niger, southwest of Chad, and west of Cameroon.
In summary, the examples provided underscore the importance of both absolute and relative location in geography. Absolute coordinates offer a precise and unchanging description, while relative location adds a dynamic perspective, highlighting the spatial relationships between places. This knowledge is fundamental for understanding geography, navigation, and spatial analysis.
