Physical Geography: The World Around Us

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Updated on: Educator Review By: Michelle Connolly

Geography has been taught for decades and helps people make sense of the world in which we live. Physical geography simply does what it says on the tin, by introducing us to different climates and the material sections of planet earth.

Physical geography helps us understand how we survive, what we can do to look after our planet and animals, and what substances make up the world we live in.

Physical Geography
Compass on the tourist map. focus on the compass needle

Taking care of the earth is paramount to humanity’s survival, and geography helps us grasp these difficult concepts that accompany that. Through the study of physical geography, we can design spaces that can aid our environment and find results for environmental management. 

What is Physical Geography? 

 Physical geography can be defined as a type of geography that delves into the materials that the earth is made up of. This could include the earth’s climates, the vegetation and soils, the surface itself, as well as landforms and drainage features.

Physical geography helps understand the earth’s physical environment and how it is affected by human activity. It is often divided into different categories for us to understand each part of the study of physical geography. These groups have been subdivided into geomorphology, climatology, hydrology, and biogeography.

Physical geography also allows for modes of multidisciplinary study as its systems of analysis include expertise in mathematical and statistical modelling – a great introduction to STEM learning. These techniques aid with environmental management and design, as well as helping with engineering, ecology, and geology. 

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Diagram Showing Layers of The Earth Lithosphere – Study of Geography

For decades, physical geography was influenced by evolution, exploration and survey, and conservation. That model is reflected slightly differently now. Physical geography now offers a more rounded view that is more concerned with the dynamic functions of earth’s systems.

This allows this study of geography to be closely linked to environmental changes and provide closer links to other disciplines like human geography.

While physical geography will always be occupied with the geomorphic, hydrologic, and biogeographical processes, it also helps understand the impact of human activity on the earth. This helps assess the role of humans in environmental changes and interactions between humans and the environment as well. 

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Why is Geography Important? 

Studying geography and giving your children the opportunities to learn about it is very important. Learning about the sun, water cycles, climate are all integral parts of everyday life.

Learning about the world and its incredible characteristics is another important part of geography.

Understanding countries and their cultural impacts help us understand each other better and observes how we survive on weather other to function.

Geography has played a significant role in history as well as people evolved and the types of environments that they existed in. This also helps us understand how people thought and the conservation of these historical spaces.  

Through geography, we are able to learn more about the areas in which we live and the vastness of our countries. This gives us a knowledge of where places are and where events may take place. Through this, we find explanations for how the processes of physical systems and human systems have changed the Earth’s surface.

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Binoculars and Magnifying Glass on Map – Study of Geography

This, in turn, helps us understand how societies have organised rather than spaces just being randomly populated.

Understanding this aids us to comprehend the complexities of our connections to spaces and other people. Being able to appreciate these things allows us to comprehend relationships between the physical environment and the society we live in.

Geography also gives us the tools to appreciate global interdependence and aids us on our journeys to become better global citizens. 

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