Concepts in Geography

Alfred Wegener (1880 – 1930) German polar explorer and geophysicist.

Came up with the theory of Continental Drift (despite much rejection) and proved it.

the same types of fossilised animals and plants are found in South America and Africa

the shape of the east coast of South America fits the west coast of Africa, like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle

matching rock formations and mountain chains are found in South America and Africa

Died and buried in Greenland, after being trapped without provisions for days.

Thomas Malthus (1766 – 1834)

English cleric and scholar

Specialised in political economy and demography.

Best known for his work “An Essay on the Principle of Population” (1798), which went on to be greatly influential in the field of economics and population geography.

Do we have world-famous geographers in

Singapore?

Professor Wong Poh Poh

Professor at the National University of Singapore (Geography).

Nobel Laureate (Nobel Peace Prize 2007)

Regular panelist on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Recognised expert on coastal erosion and beach management strategies.

DISCUSS:

What is his/her contribution to the geographical knowledge?

What type of geography does he/she specialize in?

Why did your group pick this person?

Place

A place is “part of the earth’s surface where people identify and give meaning to”.

It is somewhere emotionally and personally significant; a place of meaning.

Largely a locational concept consisting of:

Relative location: the location of a place relative to other places 

Absolute location: the exact location of a place on the surface of the earth

Space

An abstract dimension within which matter is located or a grid within which substantive items are contained

Space = physically nowhere. It is not merely a physical and/or geographical location; they transcend these.

A structure in which physical and intangible processes flow through 

Often an abstract concept representing the areas of movement between places

Examples:

Community spaces (which consist of void decks, community centers)

Educational spaces (schools, libraries)

Thirdspace (Spaces where the minorities congregate in a city).

Scale

Scale refers to the level at which a geographical feature or issue is examined.

Example of scales are:

Global

Regional

National

Environment

The environment refers to our surroundings.

It can be natural or human, or a combination of both.

QUICK CLASS ACTIVITY!

Sort these words in the tables of your handout!

Discussion is allowed but no one is to move from their seats.

Amazon rainforest

NationalRegional

Global

CommunityHome

Ethnic distribution of people

Hwa Chong Institution

My house

My constituency

Regional Clocktower

Student Activities and Leadership Training (SALT) Center

Empty training ground in front of the Wushu room