Physical Geography

An Undergraduate Library Subject Guide providing suggested resources and other information for beginning research on the topic Physical Geography.

Introduction
Physical Geography deals with the natural environment, including features and processes, at or near the earth’s surface. It approaches the processes and patterns in the natural environment such as the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.

As a branch of geography, its main purpose is to explain the spatial characteristics of the various natural phenomena associated with the Earth's hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere.

The common specializations of physical geography are geomorphology, pedology, biogeography, hydrology, meteorology, and climatology.

Areas of Physical Geography include:
  • Biogeography (study of plant and animal life and processes)
  • Climatology (study of long-term weather called climate and its effects on life)
  • Hydrology (study of all forms of water underground, over-ground and in the cloud)
  • Geomorphology (earth’s form and structure)
  • Pedology (the study of soils)
Physical geographers study features of the natural environment, such as landforms, climates, soils, natural hazards, water, and plants.
​Related terms
 
  • Physiography.
  • Earth science.
  • Geographics.
  • Topography.