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This article throws light upon the top six elements of physical environment. The elements are: 1. Geographical Location 2. Topography 3. Climate 4. Mineral Resources 5. Soil 6. Rivers, Lakes and Coasts.
Element # 1. Geographical Location:
In a very broad way, geographical locations may be grouped under five classes:
(a) Continental location,
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(b) Maritime location,
(c) Mountain and river valley location,
(d) Island location, and
(e) Peninsular location.
Continental locations refer to those areas which are situated at the interior of the continents and surrounded by other countries. Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania of Europe; Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia, etc., of Asia; Niger, Chad, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Burmundi, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana of Africa, and Bolivia of South America are some of the examples of area of continental location.
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As these countries are away from the ocean, they experience extreme climate and the cost of transportation is much higher as they cannot utilise cheap marine transport.
The countries of maritime locations have some parts connected to oceans. More than 50 per cent of the countries of the world have maritime locations. The climates of such countries are generally mild and they are much progressive and developed in international trades. Many of the developed countries owe their development to the oceanic explorations.
The boundaries of some of the countries are determined by the mountains and rivers. These countries are relatively free from the fear of external aggression but they are not free from the economic and social influences of the neighboring countries. Nepal and Myanmar are the two best examples of this kind of location.
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The countries of island location are surrounded by ocean on all sides. Sri Lanka, Japan and Great Britain are some of the examples. If otherwise inconvenient, the coastal areas of these countries are very suitable for development of port and harbour and they become leaders in international trades. The people of these types of countries are expert in navigation and fishing.
On the other hand, the countries which have ocean on three sides are called peninsular location. India and Italy are two well-known examples of this kind of location. Here also the coastal areas are favorable for development of sea-ports and harbour and they are also advanced in trade and commerce.
Element # 2. Topography:
The topographical features of any region also play very important roles in the activities of man. Based on important characteristics, the topographical features can be mountain, plateau or plain.
The mountain regions are generally uneven and not very suitable for agriculture. The streams and rivers are swift flowing and as such, not suitable for navigation. It is very difficult and expensive to construct roads and other transport and communication systems. As a result, the mountain regions are thinly populated, the trade and commerce as well as industries do not find favorable attraction and therefore they are economically backward.
However, from climatic and tourist point of view, location-wise some of the places of the mountain regions are becoming world famous. Many holiday resort and sports centres have been developed. Simla, Darjeeling, Mussori, Dehradun, Shillong, Ooty, Gulmarg of India are important hill resorts and tourist places.
The Alps in Switzerland becomes one of the most important sporting and tourist places in the world. From economic point of view, the mountain regions are the storehouses of mineral and forest resources. Livestock rearing and plantation agriculture are practised on the hill and mountain slopes.
The topography of all the places of the plateau regions is not uniform. The areas with favourable climatic conditions and fertile soil are the places of attraction for agriculture and some other plateaus are suitable for animal rearing.
As the average elevations of the plateau regions are comparatively higher, they have healthy climate and are suitable for settlement. As a result, plateau regions are thickly populated. The transportation system is more developed compared to the mountain regions. Plateaus are rich in mineral deposits and they are industrially more developed.
Nearly 50 per cent of the land surface of the earth is plain and about 90 per cent of the population live in the plains. The density of population is very high due to the ease of transport and communication, suitability for settlement and easier agricultural practices. The soils of the plains are very fertile, they are much developed in industry and commerce and plains are the granary of food crops.
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The oldest civilization of the world started on the river valleys and spread to many distant locations. The Brahmaputra-Ganga of India, Mississippi of USA, Howang Ho, Yangste Kiang of China, Irrawadi of Myanmar, Nile of Egypt, Amazon of Brazil; Rhine, Danube, Dniper, Don, Tigris-Euphrates of Europe and Asia are some of the most important river basins of the world. But, some of the river valleys are unattractive due to unhealthy climate, extreme conditions of heat and cold, infertile soil and so on.
Element # 3. Climate:
Influence of climate has been considered to be the most important in determining the activities of man. Vegetation differs according to the variation in climate. The type of agriculture and its practices depend on the climatic condition of a region. Even the animal husbandry differs according to the difference of climate.
Impact of climate on the development of physical and mental energies of man is tremendous. It is observed that the people of hot-humid climatic region are lethargic and on the other hand, people of temperate regions are much more energetic and active. Climate also exerts influences on the development of industries directly or indirectly.
For example, dry climate for flour milling industry, monsoon type of climate for jute industry, Mediterranean climate for making wines from grapes and clear sky for film industry are most essential. Canada and Sweden have become world famous for pulp and paper industries based on availability of pine trees.
The pattern of settlements also is determined by climate. The distribution of settlements is much thin in the hot deserts and in the polar regions whereas the monsoon region is very thickly populated. Similarly, the influence of climate can be observed in the type and style of dress, house and food habits.
Element # 4. Mineral Resources:
The crust of the earth is full of various mineral resources. Many inaccessible and thinly populated areas transformed into flourishing ones after the discovery of mineral resources in those places. In the modern times, the industrial development of a region or a country is measured by the per capita use of iron and steel, aluminium and even by the per capita consumption of electricity. Similarly, many countries of the Middle-East have become famous and economically rich after discovery of petroleum and natural gas.
For the presence of diamond and gold mines, South Africa had not been able to come out of the grip of white rules. Many such examples can be cited. Recently, Iraq had to face devastating situation at the hands of the allied forces basically for oil.
Element # 5. Soil:
Soil is the most important natural resource for man. The relationship and the interaction between man and soil (earth) is very intimate. All the elements of basic needs—food, shelter and clothing—come from soil, directly or indirectly.
All the soils available on the surface of the earth are not of same qualities. Agricultural types and practices depend upon qualities of soil. For example, the alluvial soil of West Bengal, Bangladesh and lower Assam is suitable for paddy and jute cultivation; the black lava soil of Deccan plateau is suitable for cotton; and the deltaic soil of the Nile river of Egypt is suitable for famous Egyptian cotton.
Similarly, the corn belt, cotton- belt, wheat belt of USA, vine yards of France, rubber cultivation of Indonesia and the sloping soils of Assam, Sri Lanka, West Bengal for tea cultivation are some of the other examples. Vegetations in different parts of the world vary independence on the soil types. The areas where soil is favourable for agriculture, more people may be engaged in agriculture.
Now a days, however, various attempts have been made to improve the natural qualities of the soil. Fertility of the soil is improved by the use of chemical fertilizers and the dry areas have been made suitable for cultivation with the help of irrigation facilities.
Element # 6. Rivers, Lakes and Coasts, etc.:
Rivers, lakes and coasts play very important roles in the expansion and development of trade and commerce leading to economic development. Rivers help to increase the fertility of the soil, they act as the sources of irrigation and also means of transportation.
Importance of rivers is more significant in the dry areas. Electricity to run industries is also produced from the rivers. Its coasts also play important roles in determining the mode of living and economic progress of the people living in the coastal regions.
The broken coast lines are favourable for development of port and harbour. Countries like Great Britain and Greece are famous for natural harbours. On the other hand, the coasts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Africa are not broken and as such, no good harbours are developed in these countries. These countries are not much developed in international trades.