The Concept of Geography – Geography is a scientific study that provides a very meaningful horizon for the earth as a human habitation. The difference between geography and other disciplines is in its ontology, which is a material object that is applied in approaches, principles, and concepts to the object under study. In practice, geography has its own concept which is closely related to social problems in society. That is why the study of this science always has a concept of geography that continues to grow.
The word geography that we often hear is actually the origin of the word comes from the Greek language which consists of two words, namely “Geo” and “Graphein”. The word “Geo” means earth and “Graphein” means “painting”, “description”, or “writing”. So, it can be said that geography is a description or description of the earth.
Meanwhile, in the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI) geography is the science of the earth’s surface, climate, population, flora, fauna, and the results obtained from the earth.
Geography’s way of looking at the earth as a place where living things live is not as a way to take inventory of all the phenomena that are spread over the earth’s surface. The point of view of geography on a phenomenon on the surface of the earth requires a number of basic and essential concepts that are interrelated (Marhadi, 2014). The basic concepts of geography according to Suharyono and Moch Amien (1994) are the most important concepts that describe the structure of the science itself.
In learning the basics of geography, the book Geography Accuracy by Rino Agustianto, S.Pd can help you to be more interested in learning and practicing various types of related questions.
Geography as a scientific study also has what is called the concept of geography. there are ten geographic concepts, including: the concept of location, distance, morphology, affordability, pattern, agglomeration, use value, interaction and interdependence, area differentiation, and spatial linkages. Here is the full explanation:
10 Geography Concepts With Examples
Here are 10 geography concepts you need to know.
1. Location Concept
The concept of location or often referred to as the concept of location is the main concept which from the beginning of the growth of geography has become a special characteristic of geography science or knowledge. In essence, the location is divided into two, namely the absolute location and relative location.
Absolute location means showing a definite location such as the location of an object on the earth’s surface determined by the coordinate system of latitude and longitude. The location is absolute and the coordinates will not change. The concept of geography is usually difficult to change and will take a very long time to experience the phenomenon.
While what is meant by relative location is a geographical concept that has a dynamic nature or in geography is usually referred to as a geographical location which is usually associated with the strategic location or not of a place. The value attached to the high and low object is determined by the object or other objects that are related to the first object that is the point of attention.
The value of an object on the basis of its location can change due to changes in external conditions related to the object. The concept of the location of a place on the surface of the earth has economic value when it is linked to price.
Location Concept Example:
In cold areas people tend to dress thickly or warmly, the value of land or land for settlements will decrease if it is close to factories, cemeteries, markets, public transportation terminals because of the noise and pollution that occurs around it.
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2. The Concept of Distance
The geographical concept of distance is related to location because the value of an object can be determined by its distance to another object. The concept of geography is also divided into two, namely absolute distance and relative distance. Absolute distance means the distance in certain units or the actual distance.
While the relative distance is the distance depicted on an isochronic map which describes the distance that can be traveled in the same time, isophodic maps describe the distance traveled with the same cost, and isotacic maps describe areas with the same transport speed.
So, the concept of geography of distance is related to the benefits so that humans tend to take distance into account. Therefore, the concept of distance is also often used by business owners so that every shipment of goods can be calculated optimally.
Distance Concept Example:
- Land prices will be more expensive when approaching the city center compared to land prices in rural areas.
- Laying hens tend to be located closer to the city as a marketing location so that the eggs and chickens brought to the marketing area are not damaged much compared to if the farm is placed far from the city.
3. Concept of Morphology
The concept of morphology describes the land surface of the earth as the result of subsidence or lifting of areas through geological processes which are usually accompanied by erosion and sedimentation so that some are in the form of islands, mountainous landmasses with eroded slopes, valleys and alluvial plains.
This morphological concept is also related to land forms that are affected by erosion, deposition, land use, soil thickness, and water availability. The shape of the plains with a slope of no more than 5 degrees is an area suitable for settlements and agricultural and other businesses.
So, the concept of morphology relates to the shape of the earth’s surface as a result of natural processes and its relationship with human activities.
Examples of Morphological Concepts:
- The shape of the land will be related to erosion and deposition, land use, thickness of the soil layer, water availability, and others.
- From the map of population distribution in Asia, the dense population is concentrated in the alluvial plains of the major river valleys and fertile soils. Meanwhile, high mountain areas, desert areas, swamp areas are areas that are difficult to reach and are generally sparsely populated.
4. Affordability Concept
The concept of affordability is whether or not a location can be easily reached from another location. Affordability depends on the distance traveled and as measured by physical distance, costs, time, and various terrain obstacles experienced. With this concept, someone will know the time needed and the costs that must be incurred when they want to go to an area.
As technology, transportation, and the economy advance, affordability is getting higher so that distances become very short and the world becomes a global world that is easier to reach. Therefore, the geographical concept of affordability can make it easy for humans to go somewhere.
Low affordability will certainly affect the difficulty of achieving progress and developing an area. The concept of affordability is an interaction between places, so that it can be achieved either by public, traditional or walking means of transportation.
Affordability Concept Example:
- The affordability of Jakarta-Semarang can be by plane, while Jakarta-Bandung is by train.
- The Pati area produces rice and the Brebes area produces shallots. These two areas will not interact if there is no supporting transportation. An area will not progress if it cannot be reached by means of transportation. It will definitely be slow to become an advanced region from various sectors.
5. Pattern Concept
The concept of pattern means that it relates to the distribution of phenomena on the earth’s surface, both natural phenomena such as river flow, distribution of vegetation, soil types, and rainfall as well as socio-cultural phenomena such as settlements, population distribution, livelihoods, and types of housing where people live. With the concept of this pattern, the distribution that occurs on this earth will be more easily known by many people.
In the concept of geography, we will study the patterns and distribution of phenomena, understand their meaning and try to make use of them. The concept of pattern is a form of human interaction with the environment or the interaction of nature with nature and socio-culture. Therefore, if we want to see a phenomenon that occurs in an area, we can use the concept of pattern geography.
Pattern Concept Example
River flow patterns are related to geological structures and rock types. Population settlement patterns are related to rivers, roads, land forms and so on.
Finding Resti’s house address in real estate is easier than finding Husein’s address who lives in a village. This is due to the fact that Resti’s housing arrangement in real estate is more orderly than Husein’s spatial arrangement which is not well planned in the village.
6. The concept of Agglomeration
The concept of agglomeration means a grouping of various human activities in adapting to their environment such as settlements, agricultural activities, trade, and others. Several geographic realities that can be studied with the concept of agglomeration, especially regarding the human aspect.
The concept of agglomeration is a tendency to spread in clusters in a relatively narrow and profitable area, both considering the similarity of symptoms and the presence of favorable general factors. The pattern of population agglomeration is divided into three, namely clustered patterns, randomly distributed patterns and regularly distributed patterns.
Example of the concept of agglomeration
There is a trend of grouping residences in cities for those who come from the same area, grouping settlements in agricultural areas, close to water areas and so on. Rich people live in elite areas while poor people live in slums.
7. The Concept of Use-Value
The concept of usability value means that human interaction with the environment is given an important value in certain aspects. This has to do with physical functions such as water absorption, animal habitats, and microclimate. Social functions such as aesthetics, and a place to play from the space. For certain types of fauna, it is necessary to give usability values because of their function in the ecosystem.
The use of an area has its own value for the people who inhabit it. Cool areas in the mountains far from noise, such as Dieng, Bogor, are often used as places of recreation and rest. Fertile agricultural land is of greater value to farmers than to fishermen or office workers. In simple terms, the concept of utility value allows us to know about the function of a geographic location to the maximum.
Examples of Use-Value Concepts:
- A professor views mineral-containing springs such as those in Ciater, West Java, as an object of research, while a teenager or child views the place as a tourist or recreational object, even as a place for treating skin diseases by some residents.
- A green open space in a city or residential area has utility value in geography.
8. The Concept of Interaction and Interdependence
The concept of interaction is a form of mutual relationship between two or more areas that can produce new realities, appearances, and problems. In the concept of interaction one phenomenon depends on another.
Example: urban and rural interactions occur due to differences in natural potential. Villages produce raw materials while cities produce industrial products. These two areas are interconnected so that there is interaction.
The concept of interaction and interdependence is that each region cannot fulfill its own needs but requires relations with other regions, thus giving rise to interaction (reciprocal) relationships in the form of flows of goods, services, communications, the spread of ideas, and so on.
Examples of Interaction and Interdependence Concepts:
Rural areas produce more raw materials to make a product that has more value. Meanwhile, urban areas are more often used as a place to produce an industrial product. Therefore, both villages and cities are interconnected and need each other, so that there is interaction.
9. The concept of area differentiation
The ninth geographic concept is area differentiation. Regions or areas on the earth’s surface have different physical, resource and human conditions. Various geographical symptoms and problems that are spread out in space have different characteristics.
Example of Area Differentiation:
Similar urban problems in different cities require alternative solutions to different problems according to their spatial characteristics. This is what is the focus of geography which requires adaptation in the study of knowledge in the field so that it can produce maximum problem solving.
The spatial structure or spatial distribution of a region is related to other regions. Regions on the surface of the earth have different values contained in them. For example, vegetable farming is produced in mountainous areas, marine fisheries or ponds in coastal areas. Urban areas that are dominated by cultural landscapes have a different spatial layout from rural areas which are dominated by landscapes.
10. Geographical Concepts in Room Relationships
Geography is a science of synthesis, meaning that there is an interrelationship between physical and human phenomena which characterizes an area with a pattern of integration or synthesis which is evident in regional studies. The broad scope of the object of study of geography has an impact on the main and sub-topics presented in geography lessons at school.
To show geographic identity, this essential concept must exist in each subject and sub-topic. Not all concepts forced their presence in the subject or sub-topics. Its appearance is adjusted to its relevance and urgency. A region can develop because of its relationship with other regions or the interrelationships between regions in meeting the social and needs of its population.
Examples of Geographical Concepts in Room Connections
If examined through a map, there is spatial conservation or regional linkages between areas A, B, C and D. Drought and flooding in Jakarta are also closely related to land conversion in the upstream area around the Puncak-Cianjur area.
Conclusion
These ten geographic concepts are deliberately made to unify the discussion in geographical thinking which has a very broad scope. So, without the concept of geography, every human being will not be easy to do something. Everything is a start to begin to understand the study of geography in a more structured way.
Thus, geography education can start from basic education to tertiary education and must cover these ten geography concepts, only that the material provided is adjusted to the level of education pursued. The most complete geography concept material is given when someone enters the education level of class X or class 1 of high school.
sinaumedia friends, that’s an explanation of the ten geography concepts and examples, hopefully it can help you to complete your assignments as well as an additional source of reference and also to add insight.