- Physical geography
- geography ge*og"ra*phy, n.; pl. {Geographies}. [F.
g['e]ographie, l. geographia, fr. Gr. ?; ge`a, gh^, the earth
+ ? description, fr. ? to write, describe.
1. The science which treats of the world and its inhabitants;
a description of the earth, or a portion of the earth,
including its structure, features, products, political
divisions, and the people by whom it is inhabited.
It also
includes the responses and adaptations of people to
topography, climate, soil and vegetation
[1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]
2. A treatise on this science. [1913 Webster]
{Astronomical geography}, {or Mathematical geography}, treats of the earth as a planet, of its shape, its size, its lines of latitude and longitude, its zones, and the phenomena due to to the earth's diurnal and annual motions.
{Physical geography} treats of the conformation of the earth's surface, of the distribution of land and water, of minerals, plants, animals, etc., and applies the principles of physics to the explanation of the diversities of climate, productions, etc.
{Political geography} treats of the different countries into which earth is divided with regard to political and social and institutions and conditions. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Look at other dictionaries:
Physical geography — Physical Phys ic*al, a. 1. Of or pertaining to nature (as including all created existences); in accordance with the laws of nature; also, of or relating to natural or material things, or to the bodily structure, as opposed to things mental, moral … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
physical geography — ► NOUN ▪ the branch of geography concerned with natural features … English terms dictionary
physical geography — n. the study of the features and nature of the earth s solid surface and oceans, atmosphere and climate, distribution of plant and animal life, etc … English World dictionary
Physical geography — For other uses, see Physiographic regions of the world. True color image of the Earth s surface and atmosphere. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center image. Physical geography (also known as geosystems or physiography) is one of the two major… … Wikipedia
physical geography — physical ge ography noun uncount the type of geography that deals with things such as mountains and rivers, rather than political geography, which deals with things such as countries and towns … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
physical geography — physical ge ography n [U] the study of the Earth s surface and of its rivers, mountains etc … Dictionary of contemporary English
physical geography — noun Date: 1774 geography that deals with the exterior physical features and changes of the earth … New Collegiate Dictionary
physical geography — noun The subfield of geography that studies physical patterns and processes of the Earth. It aims to understand the forces that produce and change rocks, oceans, weather, and global flora and fauna patterns. Syn: geosystems, physiography … Wiktionary
physical geography — branch of geography that deals with the physical characteristics of the earth s surface … English contemporary dictionary
physical geography — noun the study of physical features of the earth s surface • Syn: ↑physiography • Hypernyms: ↑geography, ↑geographics … Useful english dictionary