Video:What Is Physical Geography?

Transcript:What Is Physical Geography?

Physical geography encompasses the geographic tradition known as the earth sciences tradition.

Definition of Physical Geography

Physical geographers look at the landscapes, surface processes, and climate of the earth -- all of the activity found in the four spheres (the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere) of our planet.

Elements of Physical Geography

Physical geography consists of many diverse elements. These include: the study of the earth's interaction with the sun, seasons, the composition of the atmosphere, atmospheric pressure and wind, storms and climatic disturbances, climate zones, microclimates, hydrologic cycle, soils, rivers and streams, flora and fauna, weathering, erosion, natural hazards, deserts, glaciers and ice sheets, coastal terrain and the ecosystems.

Why Physical Geography Is Important

Knowledge of the physical geography of the planet is important because the natural processes of the earth affect the distribution of resources, the conditions of human settlement, and have resulted in a plethora of varied impacts to human populations throughout the millennia.

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