The Physical and the Human Environment for Middle Year Program
- 1. The Physical and the Human Environments Chapter 3
- 2. Elements of Physical and Elements of Physical and Human Environments Human Environments • In geography the word environment is used to describe our total surroundings. • This includes the living and non living features of the earth’s surface as well as those features altered or created by people. • Geographers divide environments into two kinds: 1. 1. Physical Physical environments and; 2. 2. Human Human environments
- 3. The Two Branches of Geography • Human Geography looks at the distribution & characteristics of the world’s people. • Physical Geography focuses on Earth’s natural environments, which includes landforms, atmosphere, animals, plants, soils, & the processes that affect them.
- 4. Subfields of Geography • Cartography – map makers • Meteorology – weather forecasters
- 5. Physical Systems • The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface.
- 6. Physical Systems • The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's surface.
- 7. Human Systems • The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth's surface. – Why do people live where they do?
- 8. Human Systems • The characteristics, distributions, and complexity of Earth's cultural. – Looks at language, religion, music, dance, etc. – Where are these cultures located? – How do they help make up the Earth’s culture?
- 9. -Elements of Physical Geography • Physical environments are those dominated by natural features, such as landforms and vegetation. • Physical environments, include the earth’s soil, water, air, sunlight and all living things. These are often referred to as the elements of physical environments. Elements of the Physical Physical Environment SUN- SUN- Solar energy: All life on earth depends on the energy (light and heat) produced by the sun. WATER- WATER- Hydrosphere: The earth’s store of water and how it circulates. Geographers are interested in how people try to control and manage water resources to meet their needs. AIR- AIR- Atmosphere: The combination of gases that surround the planet. Geographers are interested in weather & climate. They investigate: •How climate determines where plants and animals live. •How climate affects the activities of people. •How the activities of people affect climate ROCKS / SOIL- ROCKS / SOIL- Lithosphere: The earths solid outer shell. Geographers study the processes shaping the earth’s crust and how these processes affect people. PLANTS & ANIMALS- PLANTS & ANIMALS- Biosphere: The surface zone of the earth in which all life exists. Geographers are interested in how living things interact with each other and the non living parts of the environment
- 10. -Elements of Human Environments. • Human environments are best defined as all the elements of environments created people. • They include the social, cultural, economic and political systems created by humans • They also include those features normally associated with settlements, industries and agriculture. • It is important to note that the physical and human environments always interact. • Physical environments are always affected by the activities of people; and built environments are always affected by events within physical environments. Elements of the Human Environment Social: Social: The way in which people organise themselves and other to live in a community Economic: Economic: The production distribution and consumption of goods and services. Cultural: Cultural: The beliefs, traditions and practices characteristic of a group or people. Political: Political: The manner in which a country, and society generally, is governed.
- 11. Examples of Built Environments. AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURE SETTLEMENTS SETTLEMENTS INDUSTRIES INDUSTRIES
- 12. CASE STUDIES