GEOG 1303 NOTES - THEMES: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Many of earth’s physical features affect at least to some degree a region’s culture, demographics, politics and economics.

ATMOSPHERIC FEATURES

o climatic zones - Köppen climate classification system

Moist Tropical Climates are known for their high temperatures year round and for their large amount of year round rain.
Dry Climates are characterized by little rain and a huge daily temperature range. Two subgroups, semiarid / steppe and arid / desert are used with this climate.
In Humid Middle Latitude Climates land / water differences play a large part. These climates have warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Continental Climates can be found in the interior regions of large land masses. Total precipitation is not very high and seasonal temperatures vary widely.
Cold Climates describe this climate type perfectly. These climates are part of areas where permanent ice and tundra are always present. Only about four months of the year have above freezing temperatures.

o atmospheric hazards - tornados, hurricanes, storms, monsoons

o global warming

HYDROSPHERIC FEATURES

o presence & distribution of potable water

o proximity to ocean or surface water – to stabilize temperature extremes & for transportation

o hydrospheric hazards – flooding, drought, slides, salinization, tsunamis

BIOSPHERIC FEATURES

o presence & distribution of valuable resources – forests, food resources, fur, leather, biodiversity

o ecosystems

o factors that influence ecosystems

o biospheric hazards – deforestation, desertification

LITHOSPHERIC FEATURES

o presence & distribution of arable soil

o presence & distribution of valuable resources – oil, coal, natural gas, precious metals/gems

o landforms – can unify/fragment a nation, can protect / expose a nation, can facilitate / hinder trade, access, communication

o geological hazards – earthquakes, volcanoes