(Part II) Geography Concepts: Examples and Principles
6. The Concept of Possibilism
Possibilism is the viewpoint that people, not environments, are dynamic forces of cultural development. 6.a) The natural environment provides a range of alternatives or possibilities, but humans must make choices from the various possibilities that nature provides. 6.b)
Example / illustration:
Sleman Regency has fertile volcanic soil types, besides that the relief is flat so it has the potential to build buildings. Nature provides humans with a choice between increasing soil productivity by planting or building buildings.
7. The Concept of Probabilism
Probabilism is an understanding which considers that the possible patterns of human resources are more important. 7
Example / illustration:
With natural conditions that are far different, Singapore is able to surpass the economies of other Asean countries. This is due to Singapore's human resource factor which is far more advanced than other ASEAN countries' human resources.
8. The concept of quantitative revolution
Quantitative revolution is a concept that is attempted to establish geography as a science (science). Quantitative revolutionaries claim that the use of geography is to test general agreement about the spatial arrangement of a phenomenon. They adopted the philosophy of positivism from natural sciences and by using mathematics - especially statistics - as a way to test hypotheses. 8).
Example / illustration:
Processing of population data with population science. From the results of the processing can be obtained statistical data on mortality, births, population density, and so on.
9. Distance Decay Concept
The declining intensity of any activity, process, or function with increasing distance from its point of origin. 9
Example / illustration:
The farther a place is from the city center, the fewer shops are.
10. The concept of Space time convergence
An expression of the extent to which improvements in transportation and communication have reduced distance barriers. 10)
Example / illustration:
The distance between USA - Saudi Arabia can be reached more quickly by plane. Two people in two remote places can communicate in realtime by telephone.
11. The concept of relative location
Is the location or position of a place or region in relation to the condition or condition of the surrounding environment, both economic conditions, social and political life and culture, territorial waters or land that gives importance, and so on.
The designation is used relative because the situation can change in line with the changing conditions of the surrounding environment. 11) Relative Location is often called Geographical Location.
Example / illustration:
Indonesia is located in the cross position of two continents (Asian Continent and Australian Continent) and two Oceans (Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean)
12. The concept of absolute location
Absolute location is based on the position of a place on the surface of the earth according to latitude and longitude, indicating a fixed location to the Grid system / coordinate system. Absolute Location is often called Astronomical Position.
Example / illustration:
Hong Kong is located at 22o 15 'LU, 114o 10' LS Indonesia is located between 6o LU and 11o LS and 95o East and 141o East
13. The Concept of Connectivity
The directness of routes linking pairs of places; an indication of the degree of internal connection in a transport network. More generally, all of the tangible and intangible communication between places. 13)
Example / illustration:
Road and local road systems, telephone networks, telephone signals and other communication devices.
14. The concept of agglomeration
The concept that integrates the phenomenon makes a place / region that has its own style as a region that is different from other places / regions (differens area). The formation of regional characteristics also affects the time aspect. 14
Example / illustration:
Special Region of Yogyakarta is known as a student city, so the more dominating facilities are schools and universities as well as contract or boarding houses.
15. The concept of absolute distance
The spatial separation between two points on the earth surface measured by some accepted standard units such as miles or kilometers for widely separated locales, feet or meters for more closely spaced points. 15) In the concept of absolute space, distance is measured physically.
Example / illustration:
The distance between Solo and Sragen is 22 Km.
16. The concept of relative distance
The relative distance transforms those linear measurements into other units is more meaningful for the space relationship at question. 16.a) In the concept of absolute space the distance is measured functionally based on units of time, cost, and effort. 16.b)
Example / illustration:
The distance between Yogyakarta and Solo is relatively closer if using a train rather than using a motorcycle. But the cost and flexibility are superior to motorcycles than trains.