Geography Basics

Geography is the study of the Earth’s physical and human features, their spatial relationships, and the processes that shape them. It is a broad and interdisciplinary field that incorporates elements of natural science, social science, and the humanities.

Geographers seek to understand the complex interactions between the natural environment and human societies, and the ways in which these interactions vary across different regions and cultures.

This category contains articles about introductory concepts in geography. Find resources, books, lesson plans, and maps for teaching geography to all ages. A fun way to learn about geography is through the use of quizzes which are also listed in this category.

A photo taken from space that has been labeled with place names of an open water estuary.

Florida’s Largest Open Water Estuary

Caitlin Dempsey

Covering an area of about 400 square miles, Tampa Bay is Florida's largest open water estuary.

Sado Island: An Example of Tripartite Geography

Caitlin Dempsey

Sado Island is an example of a landmass with tripartite physical geography.

A satellite image of islands.

Isostatic Rebound: How Earth’s Surface Rises after Glaciers Retreat

Caitlin Dempsey

Isostatic rebound is the Earth's slow rise after glaciers melt, reshaping coastlines, revealing landforms, and altering sea levels globally.

A satellite image of a cavum.

Cavum: Hole-punch Clouds

Caitlin Dempsey

Cavums are also known as hole-punch clouds or fallstreak holes.

A black and a brown cow in a grassy pasture.

Mapping Methane: the Launch of MethaneSAT and the Limitations of Satellite Data

Caitlin Dempsey

While advances in remote sensing and satellite technology have improved methane mapping, ground measurements remain essential for accurate, localized data.