Physical geography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Physical geography (also know as geosystems or physiography) is a subfield of geography that focuses on the systematic study of patterns and processes within the hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere. It aims to understand the physical layout of the Earth, its weather and global flora and fauna patterns. Many areas of physical geography make use of geology, particularly in the study of weathering and erosion. The geology of other planets is discussed at geological features of the solar system.

Physical geography as a scientific discipline is usually contrasted with and complemented by its sister science human geography.

[edit] Fields of physical geography

Fields of physical geography	Related fields
Geomorphology	Landforms
Hydrology	Water cycle, Water resources
Glaciology	Glaciers
Biogeography	Species
Climatology	Climate
Pedology	Soil
Coastal/Marine studies	Coasts
Oceanography	Oceans and seas
Geodesy	Gravity, Magnetic fields
Palaeogeography	Continental drift
Environmental geography	Environmental science
Landscape ecology	Nitrogen cycles

[edit] External links

• Physiography by T.X. Huxley, 1878, full text, physical geography of the Thames River Basin
• Fundamentals of Physical Geography, 2nd Edition, by M. Pidwirny, 2006, full text
• Physical Geography for Students and Teachers, UK National Grid For Learning

[edit] See also

• Continent
• Desert
• Earth's atmosphere
• Ecology
• Environmental science
• Environmental studies
• Geostatistics
• Island
• Ocean
• Oceanography
• River
• Sea
• Soil
• Timeline of geography, paleontology
• Weathering

Physical geography v • d • e
	Biogeography · Climatology & paleoclimatology · Coastal/Marine studies · Geodesy · Geomorphology · Glaciology · Hydrology & Hydrography · Landscape ecology · Limnology · Oceanography · Palaeogeography · Pedology · Quaternary Studies