What is a geographic feature? Is it possible to consider such a stand-alone mountain, seaport or large city? And the whole continent? Let's try to deal with this issue in our article.
What is a geographic feature: definition and examples
Geography is a science that studies the earth's surface and everything on it. And there are many things located there: rivers and lakes, mountains and seas, agricultural land and rocky canyons, cities and tiny villages ... It is these objects that give a unique, inimitable appearance to our planet.
So what is a geographic feature? This is a real and relatively stable element of the earth's surface. All geographical features are distinguished by their integrity, specific location and have their own boundaries. Moreover, their genesis (origin) can be the most diverse.
The science of geography, studying all these objects, is first of all obliged to answer two main questions:
- Where is the facility located?
- What does he look like?
The image of a geographical object is very important. In some of them, it is formed extremely brightly. For example, at the mention of the Roman Coliseum or the famous Egyptian pyramids in the head immediately appears the corresponding "picture".
Varieties of geographic features
Based on the origin, all geographical features can be divided into two large groups:
- Natural (seas, oceans, mountain ranges, lakes, caves, forests, rocks, springs, etc.).
- Anthropogenic or man-made (countries, cities, villages, industrial enterprises, monasteries, parks, ports, railway stations, etc.).
It is customary to describe any geographical object carefully and in detail, determining its characteristic properties, as well as measuring its parameters. For example, for mountain peaks, their height is determined, for rivers - length, for airports - passenger traffic, etc.
What is a geographic feature? One more definition can be given - simple, but quite accurate. Geographical objects are all that can be indicated on geographical maps and plans of the area. How can I do that?
Geographical objects on the map
Various objects on maps and plans are displayed using special symbols. This is a system of specially designed graphic symbols and figures, which allows you to give a qualitative and quantitative characterization of certain objects or phenomena.
All cartographic conventional signs are divided into four types:
- large-scale or areal (contours of lakes, forests, fields, etc.);
- off-scale or spot (power plants, mineral springs, Orthodox churches, etc.);
- linear (rivers, canals, highways, territory borders, etc.);
- explanatory (various verbal and numerical inscriptions).
The relief on geographical maps is depicted using contour lines — thin brown lines connecting points on the earth’s surface with the same height. Arrows and special traffic signs indicate various natural or socio-economic phenomena, for example, directions of sea transportation.
Geographic Names
Each such object has its own "name". And, as a rule, it is not random. The name of a geographical feature is usually associated with its features, location or history.
The study of the origin, meaning and development (change) of geographical names is a separate science - toponymy. This scientific discipline is at the crossroads of geography, history and linguistics. The correct name of a geographic feature is extremely important for cartographers.
There are a huge number of types of geographical names: hydronyms (names of rivers and lakes), oikonyms (names of settlements), oronyms (names of landforms), godonyms (names of streets), etc.