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PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
EQ: Why is it important to study physical geography?
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
ENVIRONMENTS: All the surroundings of all placeLand, water,weather patterns, plants,and animalsPhysical geographers study the characteristics of a place and how it affects people
LANDFORMS: Physical features:
70% water
30% land
Mountains,hills,plains, plateaus
Vary greatly in
shape/size
Affect the way people live
CLIMATE Kind of weather a place has over a long period of time Seasonal temperatures,precipitation, wind patternsAffects how we live, our work, our housing,our clothing, and the crops we growMany different climates on the earth.
Using the map in your textbook,how many different
climates are listed?
THE EFFECT OF THE SUN:
Tilt of the earth as it revolves around the sun places the equator in a position to receive more direct rays from the sun.
The north and south pole receive indirect rays and is therefore, cooler in temperature
CLIMATE ZONES: Region between-Tropic of Cancer,Equator, to the Tropic of Capricorn: direct rays =Tropical climate zone
North and south of the tropics = the Temperate climate zones, 4 distinct seasons
Always cold,only indirect rays,south and north of the temperate zones= Polar climate zone
OTHER INFLUENCES ON
CLIMATE:
Winds are currents/masses of air that blow around the earth.Sun heats the current/air expands,warm air rises,pushes the cold airFront is the air that is moving( expanding or being pushed)Winds carry moisture(water vapor) precipitation
OTHER INFLUENCES ON CLIMATE (cont.)
Winds carry water vaporElevation:
high+winds= cooler lower+winds= warmer
Distance from ocean,size, shape of landform all influence climate.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Materials found in nature that people can use
Water,air, soil, animals
Unevenly dispersed across the earth
MINERALS and FOSSIL FUELS
Minerals/substances found in nature, are not plants /animals
– Metals: iron,copper,gold– Non -metals: salt
Coal, natural gas, petroleum= fossil fuelsremains of plants/ animals
Important source of energy
VEGETATION: Trees,flowers, grasses,all plant lifeForest: requires lots of water found in many climate zonesGrasslands :do not require lots of water, found in the temperate zones
VEGETATION (cont)
Deserts have little to no plant life
Tundra a plain found in polar zones– Soil is permanently
frozen– Tiny plants and
mosses live here
Summary
Landforms,climate,and natural resources shape the physical geography of a place.
Which do you think has been the most dominant in shaping the physical geography of your community?
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