Final answer:
The coordinates of Chicago designate its absolute location, which is a precise and fixed point on Earth's surface determined by geographic coordinates of latitude and longitude.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specified coordinates of Chicago at 41° 49' N latitude and 87° 37' W longitude define an absolute location. Absolute location refers to a precise and fixed point on the Earth's surface, determined by the geographic coordinate system that includes latitude and longitude lines. This system of coordinates, initially improved by Ptolemy and later elaborated by Sir George Airy in 1851, is essential for navigation, map-making, and various human activities that require pinpointing a specific location. By contrast, relative location is less precise and depends on a location's relationship to other places, considering aspects like proximity to geographical features or accessibility by transportation networks. The absolute location is the accurate and immovable point without regard to other sites, using latitude and longitude to pinpoint a specific spot on the globe.