sinaumedia Literacy – Principles of Geography as a science that studies physical and human phenomena on earth. In practice, the study of geography will study all human and natural activities as interactions through a spatial perspective to form certain spatial patterns. Because the study of this science is broad, there are many branches of geography within a scope that includes many fields and aspects of geography that are still in one scientific principle. In geography, there are 4 geographic principles that serve as a starting point for studying the concept of space. What are they? Here is a more complete explanation of the 4 principles of geography, Sinaumed’s!
Definition of Geography
Geography is a science which discusses matters related to the earth, especially the relationship of living things (humans, plants and animals) with the earth. Therefore, not a few also discuss that geography is the science of the earth’s surface.
The word geography comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and graphein (writing). So, geography is a record related to the earth.
Principles of Geography
With so many terms in geography, starting from the physical to the social aspects, it gives rise to phenomenal luxuries that you can learn more easily through the Thematic and Visual Edition of the Geography Dictionary.
The division of geography also includes physical geography, human geography, engineering geography, human-environmental geography, regional planning and development, cultural and political ecology, disaster risk research and historical geography. While geographical aspects are divided into two, namely physical aspects (topography, biotic, non-biotic) and social aspects (economic, cultural, political). In relation to the territory of Indonesia, geography also functions to determine the geographical location of Indonesia along with the condition of the area, influences and other impacts that arise.
The geography learning method also adheres to a number of the main principles of geography. Geography also has four basic principles of geography. Understanding the principles of geography is a basis in the study, description, disclosure, research and presentation of symptoms, variables, factors and geographical problems in geosphere phenomena. In general there are 4 principles of geography:
1. Principle of Distribution
The principle of distribution or the principle of distribution is one of the 4 most important principles of geography. The function of this distribution principle is used to examine geographical symptoms and phenomena that are spread over the earth’s surface in an unequal and uneven manner. Then a basic question will appear as the background of the principles of geography in the distribution section, such as: “Why does a phenomenon only occur in one location, but does not appear in other locations? The geographical phenomena studied can be in the form of landscapes, population distribution, distribution of natural resources, distribution of rainfall, plants, animals and humans.
Another purpose of using this spreading principle is to reveal the relationship between one phenomenon and another as a whole. In addition, the principle of distribution can be used to predict conditions in the future.
In Indonesia itself, as we know, its natural wealth is enormous. The book Tourism Geography and the Creative Economy is used to enrich our insights into these various natural assets.
2. The Principle of Interrelation
The next geographic principle is the principle of interrelation or linkage. The function of this principle of interrelation is used to examine the interrelated relationships between one phenomenon and other geographic phenomena in a space. The purpose of this principle also serves to describe the relationship that exists in the room between one symptom and another.
The existence of an interrelated relationship between nature and humans causes the need for this principle of connection or causation. Interrelation can occur between nature and nature, humans and humans, or nature and humans.
Therefore, it is very important for humans to realize that we only have one earth, recognize and manage the existing environment properly and wisely. As is discussed in the book Environmental Geography.
3. Principle Description
The principle of geography of description or depiction is one of the next principles of geography. The function of the principle of description is used to provide further explanation of the phenomena that occur on earth that can be observed. The principle of this description basically provides a more in-depth explanation of the specific characteristics of geographic phenomena.
Geography adhering to this principle is intended to describe geosphere phenomena that require good descriptions through writing, tables, pictures and graphics that are presented through facts, symptoms and causal issues qualitatively or quantitatively.
4. Principles of Chorology
The last example of the principles of geography is the principle of chorology or a combination that combines the combination of the 3 principles of geography that have been discussed previously. The function of this chorological principle aims to examine phenomena, facts and problems that exist in a place in terms of their distribution, interrelation, interaction and integration in a certain space. This chorology principle is a comprehensive geographical principle because it combines other principles, namely the principle of distribution, the principle of interrelation and the principle of description in one principle, namely the principle of chorology. This principle is also included as a characteristic of modern geography.
So, those are the geographical references regarding the 4 principles of geography and their examples, along with their complete understanding and explanation. According to these experts, there are 4 types of geographic principles, namely the principle of distribution, the principle of interrelation, the principle of description and the principle of chorology.
That’s all the reference zone for geography principles and the full explanation this time. Geosphere phenomena can be studied in geography through six main questions, namely what, where, when, why, who, and how. These six questions are known as the 5w 1h principle.
- What to find out what event happened.
- Where to find out where the event occurred.
- When to find out when the event occurred.
- Why to find out why the incident happened.
- Who to find out who was involved in the events that occurred.
- How to find out how the solution to the event that occurred.
Examples of Principles of Geography
An example of the principle of distribution (spread)
- The distribution of flora and fauna in the territory of Indonesia The distribution of water potential varies from one place to another.
- The distribution of the total transmigrant population in Indonesia is uneven.
An example of the principle of interrelation (relatedness)
- Drought occurs as a result of the La Nina phenomenon
- The phenomenon of flooding due to deforestation in the upstream region
- Climate conditions in Indonesia are influenced by Indonesia’s geographical location
- Many coastal residents become fishermen because it is close to the ocean area
- A tsunami occurs in an area due to an earthquake in the middle of the sea
- Hot temperatures can trigger evaporation resulting in rain in certain areas
Examples of the principle of description (illustration)
- Table of unemployment figures in East Java province
- Map of the world’s tectonic plates
- Map of the oceanic areas in the Southeast Asia region
- Figure of the distribution of rainfall in Indonesia
Examples of chorological principles (combined)
- To examine the problem of rain, one must examine the distribution of rainfall in Indonesia, the reasons why there are differences in rainfall in various regions and the impact caused by high rainfall in certain areas.
- To examine the problem of air temperature, it must be investigated regarding differences in air temperature in rural and urban areas, the causes of rural development and the effect of the number of trees in villages on air temperature in rural areas compared to urban areas.
Geography Science Objects
When studying geography, of course you need an object of study and a research approach in order to find out more thoroughly about the problem being studied. Well, the object of study of geography itself is divided into two, namely material objects and formal objects. The following is a more complete explanation of the objects in geography:
1. Material Objects
In the form of geographical studies and the most commonly known is regarding the geosphere (earth layer), which includes: The lithosphere (hard layer) is the outer layer or crust of our earth. The atmosphere (air layer) and the lower atmosphere layer is known as the troposphere. The hydrosphere (water layer) consists of oceans, lakes, rivers and groundwater.
The biosphere (living layer) consists of animals, plants and humans as a community, not seen as individuals. The pedosphere (soil layer) is a layer of rock and has undergone weathering, both physical, organic and chemical weathering. In conclusion, the material object of geography includes phenomena that occur on earth, such as aspects of rocks, soil, earthquakes, weather, climate, volcanoes, air, water, as well as flora and fauna related to human life.
In relation to various natural events, the geosphere relates to the phenomena of the solar system, earth, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and much more that you can learn from the book Proof of the Truth of the Koran in the Phenomena of the Universe and the Geosphere.
2. Formal Objects
Is the point of view and the way we think about a phenomenon that exists on earth. Whether it is physical or social in nature from a spatial (spatial) point of view. In geography, questions are always asked about where a phenomenon occurs, and why it can occur there. So it is expected to be able to answer various questions as follows:
- What (what), related to the structure, pattern, function and process of events on the earth’s surface.
- Where (where), related to the location of a geographic object on the surface of the earth.
- How much (how much/many) describes the size (distance, area, content, and time) of geographic objects in the form of numbers.
- Why (why) contains a sequence of time and place, background, or interaction or interdependence of a symptom, event, and human motivation.
- How (how), relates to the elaboration of a pattern, function, and process of symptoms and events. When (when), describes the time when the incident took place.
- Who (who), relating to the subject or actor of an event or events.
For example, there is a village that has difficulty getting clean water. In view of this event, the following questions must be answered:
- What (what) happened? Answer: lack of clean water.
- Where (where) the problem of clean water occurs? Answer: in Puragi Village, South Sorong.
- How much/many of the clean water can still be used? Answer: when it rains, the river discharge reaches 1 l/S, but during a long dry season there is absolutely no discharge.
- Why (why) can it happen? Answer: Due to the influence of the climate and the location of the village near the coast, if it doesn’t rain, you can only access brackish water.
- How (how) did the problem of clean water last? Answer: this has affected the whole area of Puragi Village, which is marked by the drying up of the residents’ wells and rivers.
- When (when) did this happen? Answer: especially during the dry season (April – October).
- Who (who) should be involved in solving the problem? Answer: the entire community of Puragi Village, local government, academics, and the central government.
Geographical Approach
The scientific approach can be said as a way to understand and explain a field of science. In other words, this approach to geography is done to be able to understand geography in more depth.
The geographical approach in general is a method used to make it easier to analyze various phenomena or symptoms of the geosphere, including the interaction of living things with their environment.
This is because there are so many phenomena on earth that it is necessary to classify each phenomenon according to its point of view and focus. The geography approach according to Hagget (1979) and Baiquni (2008) is an attempt within the framework of research activities to make connections to the components of Integrated Geography. The sequence in the geographical approach is as follows.
- Perspective: spatial (spatial).
- Scope of observation: physical elements and human elements on the earth’s surface and their interrelationships.
- Ways of understanding knowledge: regional, systematic, ecological, and historical approaches.
- Knowledge processing instruments or materials: maps, modeling, statistics, field surveys, and information technology, or it can be said with geographic information systems.
- Types of knowledge generated: descriptive, analytic, prescriptive, and predictive. There are 4 ways to understand the geography approach, namely regional approach, systematic approach, ecological approach, and historical approach.
1. Regional Approach
In general, the approach to regional geography is a combination of spatial and ecological approaches. So compare the condition of the earth’s surface in terms of spatial and environmental aspects in a comprehensive manner. Usually the regional approach is used when you want to compare different regions. Because each region certainly has differences in natural conditions to humans or society.
This difference will make regions interact with each other in order to meet needs. An example of a regional approach is that South Korea has limited natural resources but is rich in reliable human resources. In contrast to a tropical country like Indonesia which has less qualified human resources but abundant natural resources. Building a house must pay attention to the condition of the area. If you are near the coast, the foundation must be raised in order to anticipate rising tides or flooding.
2. Systematic Approach
The meaning of the Systematic Approach is to combine elements that are thought to influence the formation of a symptom in several different places. The aim is to identify the pattern and process of these symptoms in several places, and explain the factors that cause these symptoms to appear differently in different places.
An example is a systematic approach looking at elements that can form patterns in several different places. The figure below is an example of a systematic approach where there are two districts that have one element in common and one element that is different. In answering the case examples, a systematic approach is used by looking for what factors can cause these symptoms.
3. Regional Complex Approach
The area complex approach seeks to study geosphere phenomena through a combination of spatial and ecological approaches. Inter-regional interactions will develop because in essence each region on earth is different from one another.
Example: Rural areas will interact with urban areas to meet secondary and tertiary needs. In contrast, urban areas interact with rural areas to meet food and labor needs.
4. Ecological Approach
The meaning of the Ecological Approach is to combine human elements with the environment in a place. The aim is to identify human behavior towards environmental conditions in different places; Identify environmental impacts due to differences in human life patterns in different places; and Identify similarities or differences in these relationship patterns in different places.
An example is the ecological approach which is basically a combination of a regional approach and a systematic approach which looks at the similarities and differences in a pattern. The difference is whether the patterns that emerge have an impact on the environment or not and vice versa. The figure below is an example of a case with an ecological approach that is seen from the impact of environmental conditions which have relatively the same characteristics as the pattern of human life in several different areas.
5. Spatial Approach
This approach is an attempt to examine the similarities and differences in geosphere phenomena in space. The spatial approach is used to find out the distribution of the use of the available space and how the provision of space will be used for various needs.
Example: For residential land clearing planning, a lot of data must be known to fulfill the requirements. Among these are data such as altitude, slope, soil type, and so on. Later, this is used to assess the physical condition of the location which affects the level of adaptation of the humans who will live there.
6. Historical Approach
The meaning of the Historical Approach traces the development of a geographical phenomenon. The aim is to know the relationship between space in the past and present (the relationship between place and time). The impact of geographical phenomena in the past is likely to carry over to the present.
Example: the development of an area into a city that can be seen in terms of location and time development. The development of an area into a city is usually more to economic development. The historical approach can use a study of the location of economic centers as a reference in the development of a city.
1. The Principle of Distribution The function of this principle of distribution is used to examine geographical symptoms and phenomena that are spread over the earth’s surface in an unequal and uneven manner. 2. The principle of interrelation The function of the principle of interrelation is used to examine the interrelated relationships between one symptom and another geographical phenomenon in a space. 3. Principle of Description The function of the principle of description is used to provide further explanation of observable phenomena that occur on earth. 4. Principles of ChorologyThe function of this chorological principle aims to examine phenomena, facts and problems that exist in a place in terms of their distribution, interrelation, interaction and integration in a certain space.