Outline
I. Defining Geography
Geog 1 Introduction II. Fundamental Concepts in/of Geography
III. Traditions in Geography
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Geography is concerned with the accurate, orderly and Geography can be regarded as a science concerned with
rational description and interpretation of the variable
characters of the Earth’s surface. the rational development, and testing, of theories that
explain and predict the spatial distribution and
location of various characteristics on the surface of the
Dunford (1981: 85):
earth.
Geography is the study of spatial forms and structures
produced historically and specified by modes of
production.
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Divisions
Haggett (1981: 133):
[Geography is] the study of the Earth’s surface as the space within which Physical Geog/Human Geog
the human population lives.
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Accessibility Accessibility – the opportunity for contact or for interaction from a given point of
location
Spatial Interaction
Spatial Interaction – all kinds of movement and flows that involve human activity
Spatial Diffusion
Spatial Diffusion
Distribution
Distribution - pertains to how things are located and situated in space
(patterns and density)
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Traditions in Geography
1. Spatial Tradition – geometry and movement
2. Area Studies Tradition – “regional geography”
3. Man-Land/Human-Environment Tradition –
environment and society interaction
Environmental determinism vs Possibilism
4. Earth Sciences Tradition – physical geography
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