Geography. Козлова Е.П. - 9 стр.

separate – separately;

2.4 Read and translate the text

Geography - A Study of the Earth and What It Holds

     The distribution of things on the face of the earth can be investigated and
analysed in either of two ways. One approach is called topical geography, or
sometimes systematic geography. This approach involves the investigation and
analysis of such phenomenon as the earth's landforms, its climate, its political
divisions, or its agricultural characteristics.
     The other approach is called regional geography. It focuses attention upon a
particular area or region. Within the region it investigates the distribution and
association of elements which give the region its distinctive character.

     Subdivisions of topical geography

     Topical geography may by focused on physical or human phenomena. Analysis
of the distribution of landforms, climates, water, soils, minerals, and similar factors is
called physical geography. The principal branches of physical geography are
geomorphology, climatology, biogeography, oceanology and soil geography. Certain
aspects of physical geography, in turn, are sometimes studied separately. These
include the plant geography, animal geography, geography of minerals and other
aspects. The speciality which treat the form, size, and movements of the earth is
called mathematical geography. Human geography analyses the distribution of
human phenomenon. Economic geography includes such specialities as the
geography of manufacturing, transportation geography, commercial geography.
Political geography emphasizes the pattern of the earth's political sovereignties. A
specialized field of topical geography known as urban geography, is devoted to
analysing of the distribution of cities and things within them. Cartography takes a
special place among geographic studies.

     Subdivisions of regional geography

     In regional geography analysis is concentrated on associations which give the
character to a particular area. The area may be continental in size, or it may by
subdivided into units such as countries, states and counties. Subdivisions of the world
that are made on the basis of similarities of human life provide culture regions.
Subdivisions on the basis of similarities of natural conditions provide physical
regions. Thus, there are a geography of North America, a geography of United States,
a geography of California, and a geography of Boston.




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