Geography

Study of Earth's landscapes, environments, and human-environment interactions.

Basic Concepts

Physical Geography

What is Physical Geography?

Physical geography is the branch of geography that investigates the natural features and processes of the Earth. It focuses on the physical environment, including landforms, climates, vegetation, and oceans.

Key Areas

  • Landforms: Includes mountains, valleys, plains, and plateaus shaped by processes like erosion and plate tectonics.
  • Climate and Weather: Studies patterns of temperature, precipitation, and storms across the globe.
  • Ecosystems: Looks at how living organisms interact with their environment, from rainforests to deserts.

Why It Matters

Physical geography helps us understand natural disasters, predict weather, and manage natural resources. It's essential for planning where people live and how we interact with the environment.

Fun Facts

  • The Himalayas are the highest mountain range, formed by the collision of tectonic plates.
  • The Amazon rainforest produces about 20% of the world's oxygen.

Examples

  • Studying how rivers carve valleys over millions of years.

  • Exploring the impact of volcanoes on shaping new landmasses.

In a Nutshell

Physical geography explores Earth's natural features and how they shape our world.

Key Terms

Landform
A natural feature of the Earth's surface, such as a mountain or river.
Ecosystem
A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their environment.