Examples of Application of Geography Concepts in Everyday Life – Geography is generally studied when a student is studying at Senior High School (SMA).
It turns out that the term has been developed from century to century to produce studies, approaches, and concepts. Through 10 geographic concepts, human survival seems to be easier.
Know What is the Concept of Geography?
In essence, geography is closely related to all forms and phenomena related to nature. This phenomenon occurs on earth, both in the layers of the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and anthroposphere.
You can find an initial introduction to the field of geography, starting from rocks and their formation, the solar system, weather and climate, and much more in the Encyclopedia of Geography with a Complete World Atlas.
To examine all phenomena that occur, geography always uses concepts. Taken from the common point of view of the studies and definitions that have been discussed, an essential concept emerges to express a picture.
According to Nursid Sumaatmadja, the concept of geography is an abstract pattern that is closely related to the science called Geography. The concept of geography is divided into 10 sections. Many people will usually tend to have difficulty remembering it, even though there is an easy way for it. The trick is to use the donkey bridge, namely ‘JaKet Mr. Polo DI’Anggo Niken KeKait Sacks’. The formula is as follows.
Ja : Distance
Ket : Affordability
Mr : Morphology
Po : Pattern
Lo : Location
D : Differentiation Area
I : Interaction and Interdependence of
Anggo : Agglomeration
Niken : Value of Use of
Kekait Sack : Spatial Linkage
Easy, right? The sequence becomes clearer and the abbreviations created are fun to remember. For more details, understand the discussion of each of the following concepts.
Further: 10 Concepts of Geography
Examples of Application of the Concept of Geography
1. The Concept of Distance
The concept of distance is a concept that consists of two places and refers to space. Or, it can be interpreted as the distance that spans is the length of two places. The concept of distance is still divided into two, namely absolute and relative.
Absolute distance is the space or interval between two specified locations, implemented by means of length. The units of measurement used are meters (m), kilometers (km), or can be adjusted to the size you want to use and are easy to apply. This distance cannot be changed and is fixed, in contrast to relative distance which is the distance traveled and uses units of time, such as length.
Relative distances can vary, depending on transportation or what method is used to travel. The real example itself is commonly done by many people and applied in everyday life. For example, when using the Google Maps application or digital maps on a cell phone.
The distance from Bandung to the national monument when viewed from the application, some data will be displayed. First, the unit of distance from the point of departure to the destination is 165 km, then the distance traveled is also shown if using several vehicle options, by motorbike, car, train or on foot. The time needed is certainly different with different vehicles. Here you can clearly see the difference between absolute and relative distances.
This concept is closely related to location as the fulfillment of the basic needs of life, the transportation of goods, and also passengers. For example, the location between the distance and residential areas.
The distance needed to get there is 1-5 km. From that distance, market visitors can save costs for transportation, make it easier to transport goods, and save the time needed.
Relative concepts can also be defined with units of time, such as minutes, seconds, and hours. Another example of application, usually found in an airplane ticket. Information regarding flight hours, for example from Surabaya to Yogyakarta takes 1 hour 10 minutes. However, this information is uncertain, given that flights may be hampered due to weather conditions.
2. The Concept of Affordability
This one concept refers more to the ease of reaching an object. The biggest influence, of course, comes from the circumstances or conditions of the area being occupied. Means of transportation or means of communication greatly affect this affordability. For example, when you are traveling to a destination or on vacation to two different places, such as the Jakarta planetarium and the Baduy Tourism Village in Banten.
The affordability value of these two places is different. If someone wants to go to the planetarium, the transportation they use is a car or other vehicle to get to their destination. If you go to Baduy, tourists don’t only need a car, motorbike or other vehicle, but also have to travel to several locations on foot.
Another example in several natural disasters, it was difficult for aid to be distributed to the places where the disaster occurred. For example, because it was affected by heavy terrain or roads that were too difficult to pass, it resulted in some assistance going through a longer and more difficult process.
In addition to these examples, the application of the concept of affordability can be used when someone is about to buy land. For example, the price of land located near the main road will be more expensive than those far from the main road. These differences arise because of the access to different locations.
Houses that are close to main roads will find it easier to get transportation or be known by people when selling. As another example, the price of rice in Papua is more expensive than in remote islands. Because of these differences, the public will know which areas are difficult to access or to find producers.
3. Morphology
The formation of the earth’s surface is certainly influenced by natural processes, as well as human actions. For example, there are mountains, beaches, rivers, etc. which, if influenced by negative human actions, will result in destruction. In addition, the concept of morphology is also closely related to erosion, deposition or land use, soil thickness, and water use.
In plants, morphology can provide guidance in describing plants. You can learn more about this in the Plant Morphology book.
This concept also makes it easier to find out the potential of a land. For example, when an individual owns a plot of land in an area with a fairly steep slope, the land is not suitable for building a house. This will potentially lead to landslides. The highlands in Dieng can also be one of the illustrations, where the shape of the earth’s surface in these natural conditions looks like mountains.
Actually, you don’t have to go far to think about these examples. Signs in the installation of symbols ‘going uphill’ or ‘going downhill’ can give a clear warning to motorists. The warning was posted so motorists and even pedestrians can be careful to be safe. The region is in fact a cause-and-effect interaction between regions and develops until the next king. More details can be seen in this one book.
4. Pattern Concept
When talking about the concept of pattern, it is certainly related to the arrangement or distribution of phenomena that occur on earth. This phenomenon can be in the form of river flow, soil type, rainfall, distribution of tree vegetation, and much more. Natural phenomena are certainly different from social phenomena which are influenced by settlements, livelihoods, the type of housing occupied by residents, or the distribution of the population.
The easiest example to observe is how the distribution of settlements is spread, which you can also learn about through the book Population Policy: Concepts and Theories below.
There is a settlement pattern that is elongated in shape, following the coastline. However, some are elongated and follow the direction of the highway.
The livelihoods of residents can be affected by geographical conditions, especially those that rely heavily on natural aid. For example, fishermen who live around the coast will fish and make this activity their livelihood. People who live in the highlands can garden, harvest, and open up business opportunities by promoting through social media.
5. Location Concept
The concept of location will refer to a point on the face of the earth, related to the position of an object. This one concept is the main concept in answering the question ‘where?’ To determine it easily, the concept is divided into two, namely absolute and relative. Absolute location is determined from latitude or longitude, is fixed and does not move because it is guided by the earth’s geographical lines.
An example is the absolute location of Indonesia which is between 6°N or north latitude and 11°S as south latitude, up to 95°East (East Longitude) and 141°East (East Longitude). This means that Indonesia is in a strategic position between the intersections or world political arenas.
Another example is during PPDB which was held yesterday, there was a request to fill in location data or the coordinates of each house. This one example also includes absolute location, where the location of the house is at a certain point that will not change, the location is related to latitude and longitude.
Unlike the relative location which shows the position of something, based on the conditions and situation of the surrounding area. This location may change according to the point of view of its use. For example, Indonesia’s relative location is between two continents, namely Asia and Australia, then it is also between two oceans, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
6. The concept of area differentiation
This concept emphasizes areas that are on earth, different from one another. Each region has its own unique characteristics and uniqueness.
An example is residents in coastal areas. Most of them must have a livelihood as fishermen because it suits their natural conditions in the form of lowlands and close to the sea, while the mountainous areas have a livelihood as farmers because the soil or climate is very suitable for agricultural areas. There is a final difference between the two locations.
Because it has its own characteristics, the two regions that are objects can have a reciprocal relationship. The relationship or cooperation will have a beneficial impact. The term is complementary to meet the needs of both parties. For example, cities and villages have quite significant differences, where cities have modern facilities, while villages have the opposite.
Both of them produce something as an effort to fulfill needs, but in different contexts. Cities produce basic goods for industrial operations, while villages produce food sources and raw materials.
For this reason, cities really need villages to meet their needs for vegetables and fruit. Villages also need cities when they want more complete health facilities. Indonesia also has abundant natural resources from various regions, such as Java as a producer of rice and Kalimantan for timber.
7. The Concept of Interdependence and Interaction
Reciprocity or interdependence between the two regions is the understanding of the concepts of interaction and interdependence. Departing from the differences between these regions, the previous discussion regarding regional differentiation, an interaction will emerge which can be a beneficial impact from each region.
For example, cities and villages. The differences in characteristics between the two regions will bring about independence and reciprocity which can be beneficial. Cities need villages as suppliers of food, while villages need cities as suppliers of finished goods, such as clothing, technology, and so on.
8. The concept of Agglomeration
This concept refers to the tendency of phenomena to be grouped into objects in an area, such as settlements which tend to cluster in fertile and beautiful areas. A familiar example is Cibaduyut which is a shoe center, the exact location is in the city of Bandung. Human efforts in adapting to their environment, so that this one concept is often used to study social problems.
For example, Tangerang is a city with the largest industrial development, even dubbed as the city of 1000 factories. Or, a settlement in an urban area whose inhabitants have the same regional origin or culture, such as the Chinatown community.
9. The Concept of Use-Value
This concept refers to the advantages possessed by a place or region that has different uses, based on its function. For example, in Ciater, West Java, there are natural hot springs that can be used to increase the use-value of the area. There is also a peak area in Bogor which has the morphology of a hilly area with beautiful views and clean air.
This can attract tourists to visit it, so that this area can be used as a tourist area. Another example is when you feel that Madura is getting colder. The hilly area in Wonosobo has a lot of land and water sources. Therefore, the hot island of Madura would not be suitable for agricultural land, but salt ponds.
So, these concepts definitely have their respective benefits for life. A use value that has the potential to be developed, moreover Indonesia is very rich in beauty and biodiversity.
Several beaches, mangrove trees, and extensive utilization for seaweed, the potential is still not prominent or increasing. Actually, mangroves themselves are not only useful for resisting abrasion and hurricane attacks. If its potential is emphasized, mangroves can also become tourist attractions that are rich in utilization.
Kalimantan also has tropical forests which are very suitable for habitat for rare animals. That is why national parks and protected forests there are very guarded. As another example, alluvial soil is suitable for use by farmers because it is fertile.
10. Room Connection Concept
This concept shows the level of relationship between regions. This encourages a cause-and-effect relationship. In essence, in the concept of spatial linkages, phenomena that occur involve two areas or more easily when there is a disaster, such as a flood in one area that has an impact on other areas or what is called a dispatch flood.
For example, Jakarta is receiving floods from Bogor. The city is a lowland, while Bogor is a highland. Water will flow from the highlands to the lower plains.
In addition to knowing the interrelationships between spaces, as described in the concept of spatial interaction or interrelationships, the study of geography also provides knowledge related to the context of Indonesia as the world’s maritime axis. Existing natural wealth includes world transportation which has become active due to regional strategicity, richness and diversity of marine life, as well as tourism for international maritime affairs.
Always remember that the potential that exists really must be preserved wisely and prudently by the entire population of Indonesia. From the concept of geography, the statement that humans cannot live alone is undeniable. Helping each other to produce maximum results will foster tolerance and good cooperation.