We work in a first-order setting where structures are spread out over a metric space, with quantification allowed only over bounded subsets. Assuming a doubling property for the metric space, we define a canonical { \em core} $\mathcal{ J}$ associated to such a theory, a locally compact structure that embeds into the type space over any model. The automorphism group of $\mathcal{ J}$, modulo certain infinitesimal automorphisms, is a locally compact group $\mathcal{ G}$. The automorphism groups of models of the theory are related with $\mathcal{ G}$, not in general via a homomorphism, but by a { \em quasi-homomorphism}, respecting multiplication up to a certain canonical compact error set. This fundamental structure is applied to describe the nature of approximate subgroups. Specifically we obtain a full classification of (properly) approximate lattices of $SL_n({ \mathbb{ R}})$ or $SL_n({ \mathbb{ Q}}_p)$.
Categories: math.LO math.GR