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?