Introduction

So, what are the appropriate contexts for geographical study? Context can be thought about in a variety of ways. Geographical context is often thought about in terms of national or political territories, physical landscapes, or exotic places. These contexts are often clear, identifiable spaces which may be hotter or drier, colder or wetter, and defined by particular languages, laws, and customs that may be different or similar to our own. Each context will have an influence – and often be

influenced by – the activities occurring in that place. For example: in many countries religious, cultural, or political laws influence what clothes are appropriate for different genders (see Box 1.1 for an example); in others seasonal conditions influence working and sleep patterns; whilst in yet other contexts ideologies of freedom and technologies of movement coincide to influence the degree of mobility within and between territories.