Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
just at the beginning of this age “as the Internet becomes
a universal tool of interactive communication, as we shift
from computer-centered technologies to network-diffused
technologies, (and) as we make progress in nanotechnology
(and thus in the diffusion capacity of information devices).”
A major divide in access to information technology—
sometimes called the
Digital Divide
—is both a hall-
mark of the current world and an example of the
uneven outcomes of globalization. The International
Telecommunications Union reported the levels of digital
access for developing and developed regions of the world.
In 2010, the International Telecommunications Union
reported that on average developed (high income) states
had 41.6 telephone connections, 114.2 cellular connec-
tions, and 68.8 Internet users for every 100 people. On
average, developing (low income) states had 11.9 tele-
phone connections, 70.1 cellular connections, and 21.1
Internet users for every 100 people.
The quickening pace of technological change is
another hallmark of globalization and magnifi es the
global technological divide. We may be shocked to see
how quickly technology has changed and diffused. In
Figure 14.6
World Cities Most Connected to New York City.
This map shows the 30 world cities that
are the most connected to New York City, as measured by fl ows in the service economy.
Data
from
: P. J. Taylor and R. E. Lang, “U.S. Cities in the 'World City Network,'” The Brookings
Institution, Survey Series, February 2005. http://wwwe.brookings.edu/dybdocroot/metro/pubs
/
20050222_worldcities.pdf, last accessed September 2005.
60
°
Calgary
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
Minneapolis
Boston
Philadelphia
Denver
40
°
Chicago
40
°
San Francisco
UNITED STATES
Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles
Dallas
San Diego
ATLANTIC
BAHAMAS
Nassau
Tropic of Cancer
OCEAN
20
°
20
°
20
°
PACIFIC
OCEAN
Equator
0
°
WORLD CITIES MOST
CONNECTED TO
NEW YORK CITY
20
°
20
°
20
°
Tropic of Capricorn
Highest connection
40
°
40
°
40
°
40
°
High connection
Intermediate connection
160
°
140
°
120
°
80
°
60
°
40
°
60
°
60
°
60
°
60
°
SOUTHERN
OCEAN
0
1000
2000
3000 Kilometers
0
1000
2000 Miles
