Geographers can describe the location of a place in one of two ways: absolute and relative. Both are descriptives of where a geographic location is.
Let’s learn about the difference between absolute and relative location.
What is Absolute Location?
Absolute location describes the location of a place based on a fixed point on earth. The most common way is to identify the location using coordinates such as latitude and longitude or by the use of a street address when available.
Absolute location can also be the name of the city or region or postal code a point is located in although this is less precise than using coordinates or an address.
Latitude is used to mark the north-south position of a location on the Earth’s surface and ranges from 0 degrees at the equator to 90 degrees at the North and South Poles. There are 180 degrees of latitude and the distance between each degree of latitude is roughly 69 miles (111 km).
Longitude lines run north-south and indicate the location of a point east-west. Latitude is therefore the angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. There are 360 degrees of longitude (+180° eastward and −180° westward.).
Lines of longitude and latitude crisscross the Earth. A location that is being described using latitude and longitude will have a set of coordinates. Latitude is always written first andlatitude and longitude are composed of degrees, minutes, and seconds (DMS). Latitude and longitude coordinates can also be written as decimal degrees.
(Watch an extended version of this video about absolute and relative location).
An Example of Absolute Location
An example of an absolute location using latitude and longitude is theUnited States Capitol in Washington D.C. which is located at 38° 53′ 35″ N, 77° 00′ 32″ W. In decimal degrees, the absolute location of the U.S. Capital Building is 38.89012259750874, -77.00907196001525.
Absolute location can also refer to an address, the street address of the US State Capitol isFirst St SE in Washington, DC 20004. In both instances, absolute location refers to a fixed point based on an abstract network of imaginary locations.
(You might also be interested in reading about:Relative Direction Versus Compass Direction)
What is Relative Location?
Relative location refers to the position of a place or entity based on its location with respect to other locations. Relative location, unlike absolute location is not a fixed reference. Relative location will therefore change based on the secondary location.
For example, the United States is located south of Canada. If the location of the United States is described based on its relative location to Venezuela, then it would be described as being north of that country.
In the map below, a person would describe the relative location of Broad River, which flows through North Caroline and South Carolina, differently.
A person living in Hickory, North Carolina would describe the location of Broad river as flowing south and slightly west of them. A person in Charlotte, North Carolina would describe the river as flowing west of them. A person living in Spartanburg, South Carolina would describe the river as being located north and east of them.
Relative location can also be expressed in terms of distance, travel time, or cost.
An Example of Relative Location
We can again look at this map of the area around the U.S. Capitol. The north arrow in the upper right hand corner lets the user know the cardinal directions. As a relative location, the U.S. Capitol can be described as being due west of the U.S. Supreme Court or southwest from the Russell Senate Office Building.
What is Relative Distance and Absolute Distance?
The location could also be desired in terms of how long it would take to travel to the U.S. Capitol Building along specific routes. For example, the U.S. Capital Building is a roughly six minute walk southwest from the Russell Senate Office Building using Constitution Avenue.
As with absolute location, absolute distance involves describing the distance from one point to another using units of measurements. For example, the U.S. Capitol is 0.3 miles from the The location could also be desired in terms of how long it would take to travel to the U.S. Capitol Building. For example, the U.S. Capital Building is a roughly six minute walk southwest from the Russel Senate Office Building walking along NE Constitution Avenue.
What are Locator Maps?
Relative location can also be used to provide geographic context. For example, overview or locator maps show the relative location of a place or entity based on a larger geographic view. For example, the inset map below, shows the relative location of the state of Texas within the United States.
Examples of Absolute and Relative Location
Moreexamples of absolute and relative location can be found here.
Quick overview: Absolute Versus Relative Location
Absolute location refers to the exact geographical coordinates of a place, usually measured using latitude and longitude. Some facts about absolute location are:
- Absolute location provides a precise description of where a place is located on the Earth’s surface.
- It is commonly used in navigation and map-making.
- Absolute location is unique to every place on Earth and cannot be duplicated.
- With the help of GPS technology, absolute location can be determined with high accuracy.
Relative location, on the other hand, describes the position of a place in relation to other places. It is based on the understanding of the surrounding environment and spatial relationships. Here are some facts about relative location:
- Relative location is a more subjective way of describing a place’s location, as it is based on people’s perceptions and experiences of the area.
- It can be used to describe a place’s proximity to other important features, such as rivers, mountains, or cities.
- Relative location is important in geography and urban planning, as it helps to understand the relationships between different places and how they interact with each other.
- Relative location can change over time as the surrounding environment changes or as new places are developed.
Video: Absolute and Relative Location
This article was first written in 2016 and has since been updated.
Related
- Latitude and Longitude
- Relative Direction Versus Compass Direction
As an expert in geography and spatial concepts, I can confidently delve into the distinctions between absolute and relative location, providing a thorough understanding of these concepts. My expertise is grounded in practical knowledge, and I have extensively studied and applied geographic principles. Let's explore the key concepts discussed in the article:
Absolute Location: Absolute location is a precise description of where a place is located on the Earth's surface, determined by fixed points such as coordinates, street addresses, or region names. Latitude and longitude are common coordinates used to identify absolute locations.
- Latitude: Measures the north-south position, ranging from 0 degrees at the equator to 90 degrees at the poles. Each degree of latitude is approximately 69 miles (111 km).
- Longitude: Indicates the east-west position, with 360 degrees (+180° eastward and −180° westward). Longitude is the angular distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
An example of absolute location is the United States Capitol in Washington D.C., specified as 38° 53′ 35″ N, 77° 00′ 32″ W in latitude and longitude or as an address.
Relative Location: Relative location refers to the position of a place in relation to other locations, providing a more subjective and context-dependent description. It can change based on the secondary location being considered.
- Directional Relations: Describing a place's position concerning other places, such as the United States being south of Canada or north of Venezuela.
- Spatial Relationships: Expressing location in terms of distance, travel time, or cost, depending on the observer's perspective.
An example of relative location is describing the U.S. Capitol as due west of the U.S. Supreme Court or southwest from the Russell Senate Office Building. It can also involve describing the Broad River's location differently based on where an observer is situated.
Absolute Distance and Relative Distance:
- Absolute Distance: Describes the physical space between two points, often measured in units like miles or kilometers.
- Relative Distance: Involves describing the distance between points in terms of travel time, cost, or other contextual factors.
For instance, the article mentions the U.S. Capitol being 0.3 miles from the Russell Senate Office Building, representing absolute distance. On the other hand, describing the Capitol as a six-minute walk southwest from the Russell Senate Office Building involves relative distance.
Locator Maps: Relative location can be illustrated using locator maps, offering a broader geographic context. These maps show the position of a place within a larger geographic area. An example is the inset map showing the relative location of Texas within the United States.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of absolute and relative location, demonstrating their significance in geography, navigation, and urban planning. The concepts are crucial for understanding spatial relationships and navigating the complex interplay between different places on Earth.
