Key Concepts in Geography, Economics, and Agriculture

Continental Shelf Definition

The continental shelf is the part of a continent that is submerged in the sea, extending gradually with variable width and depth. It refers to the continental crust, encompassing the submerged surface of a continent but excluding the continental slope that connects it with the oceanic crust.

Economic Indicators: GDP and GNP

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the sum of value added in the production processes of goods and services within a country for a specific period, usually one year.

Gross National Product (GNP)

Gross National Product (GNP) is an economic term reflecting the monetary value of the annual flow of goods and services. It is usually measured by adding the entire cost of each inhabitant, public spending (government expenditure), and all investments made by industry in the country, both domestically and internationally.

Polyculture Farming

Polyculture is an agricultural practice involving the cultivation of various plant species on the same farm or plot of land.

Production Systems: Artisan to Industrial

Understanding Production

Production, in general, refers to the technical transformation of materials into goods, encompassing all changes that increase the utility of these goods.

Craft Production

Craft production is characterized by a predominance of manual labor, typically carried out by small-sized firms.

Industrial Production

Industrial production involves the transformation of goods primarily by mechanical means (machines). This system is related to a complex of economic activities, including packaging, transportation, and more.

Series Production

Series production is a manufacturing system where each worker or group of workers specializes in one specific aspect of the finished product.

Transportation Networks and Spatial Connectivity

Transportation networks encompass all circulation systems for both passengers and freight. These networks constitute the backbone upon which a territory functions, serving as vital links between different places and people. They facilitate increasingly intense, fast, and cost-effective flows. Furthermore, technological advances are leading to a true "compression of space," making distant locations more accessible.

Modern Irrigation Techniques: Localized, Drip, and Spray

Localized Irrigation

Localized irrigation is a water-saving system best suited for widely spaced crops, particularly orchards. Water is directed precisely to the desired location.

Drip Irrigation

In drip irrigation, water circulates at low pressure through tubes suspended (hanging) or laid at ground level. These tubes have small, precise holes, making it an easy method to automate and requiring minimal labor.

Spray Irrigation

Spray irrigation, while often more expensive than drip irrigation, circulates water at high pressure through small openings (sprinklers) arranged at a certain height above the ground. The water falls as a fine mist, mimicking rain. This method typically requires very clean water.

Traditional and Surface Irrigation Methods

Traditional irrigation, also known as surface irrigation, is the most ancient method. In this system, water circulates over the ground surface, often requiring specific land preparation. There are several types of traditional irrigation:

• By Flooding: Flat land is intentionally flooded for a period, commonly used for crops like paddy rice.
• By Overflow: On fitted slopes, ditches distribute water, allowing it to spread out over the land for infiltration.
• By Infiltration (Furrow Irrigation): Used in garden areas, the ground is prepared with ridges. Water is distributed through ditches between these ridges, allowing it to infiltrate into the soil.