Editing Spatial scale

{{other uses|Scale (disambiguation)}}'''Spatial scale''' is a specific application of the term [[Scale (disambiguation)|scale]] for describing or categorizing (e.g. into [[orders of magnitude]]) the [[size]] of a [[space]] (hence ''spatial''), or the extent of it at which a phenomenon or process occurs.<ref name="PennU">{{cite web|url=https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog30/node/317|title=Scale|publisher=The Pennsylvania State University|date=2020|accessdate=21 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spatial Scale - an overview {{!}} ScienceDirect Topics |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/mathematics/spatial-scale |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=www.sciencedirect.com}}</ref>

For instance, in [[physics]] an object or phenomenon can be called microscopic if too small to be visible. In [[climatology]], a [[micro-climate]] is a [[climate]] which might occur in a [[mountain]], [[valley]] or near a lake shore. In [[statistics]], a [[megatrend]] is a political, social, economical, environmental or technological [[Trend (statistics)|trend]] which involves the whole [[planet]] or is supposed to last a very large amount of time. The concept is also used in [[geography]], [[astronomy]], and [[meteorology]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-06 |title=spatial scale |url=https://archive.unescwa.org/spatial-scale |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia |language=en}}</ref>

These divisions are somewhat arbitrary; where, on this table, ''mega-'' is assigned global scope, it may only apply continentally or even regionally in other contexts. The interpretations of ''meso-'' and ''macro-'' must then be adjusted accordingly.

[[File:A cosmic sense of scale.webm|thumb|left|This animation gives a sense of the awe-inspiring scale of some of the known objects in our universe.]]

{| class="wikitable floatright nowrap"
|+ Examples of scales in [[geography]] and [[metereology]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Science and Art of Meteorology |url=https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/science-art-meteorology |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=education.nationalgeographic.org |language=en}}</ref>
|-
! Scale !! Length               !! Area                                                !! Description
|-
|  Micro || [[Metre|1 m – 1 km]] || [[Square metre|1 m<sup>2</sup> – 1 km<sup>2</sup>]] || local
|-
|  Meso  || 1 km - 100 km        || 1 km<sup>2</sup> - 10,000 km<sup>2</sup>            || regional
|-
|  Macro || 100 km - 10,000 km   || 10,000 km<sup>2</sup> - 100,000,000 km<sup>2</sup>  || continental
|-
|  Mega  || 10,000 km - 1,000,000 km       ||  100,000,000 - 10,000,000,000 km<sup>2</sup>  || global
|-
|  Giga  || >1,000,000 km      ||  >10,000,000,000 km<sup>2</sup>  || superglobal
|}
{{clear}}

== See also ==
{{div col|colwidth=23em}}
* [[Astronomical units of length]]
* [[Cosmic distance ladder]]
* [[List of examples of lengths]]
* [[Location of Earth]]
* Meteorological subdivisions:
** [[Microscale meteorology]]
** [[Misoscale meteorology]]
** [[Mesoscale meteorology]]
** [[Synoptic scale meteorology]]
* [[Orders of magnitude (length)]]
* [[Scale (analytical tool)]]
* [[Scale (geography)]]
* [[Scale (map)]]
* [[Scale (ratio)]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Concepts in physics]]
[[Category:Geography terminology]]
[[Category:Cartography]]
[[Category:Length]]