1. Pick the place you want to examine. This can be tricky, because you may choose a place that doesn’t
have clear boundaries. For example, while Flagstaff, AZ is relatively isolated, Glendale, AZ, is surrounded
by Phoenix, Peoria, Sun City, etc. and will be more difficult to consider as a singular place. You may,
therefore, choose to look at the physical geography of a larger region – for Glendale, you might choose
instead the Phoenix metro area or all of Maricopa County.
2. Discuss the role of physical geography in the history of human settlement in the region. Was this
place a trading post on a river? Was it a port city on a lake or ocean? Was it settled because of natural
resources (like a mining town) or because of its climate (like Tucson’s rapid growth in the 20th century)?
If you’re in a recently developed suburb, it may have even been developed because of amenities offered
by geography (ski resort towns in mountains, beautiful landscapes and vistas in some of Tucson’s
suburban reaches).
3. Discuss all the physical geography of the region according to the four different spheres:
atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. For example, San Diego is probably recognizable
because of it’s on the ocean. But what can you say about nearby mountains? This is a very broad
category, and of course what you can include will vary from place to place. Consider: climate, water
resources, weather phenomena, major landforms, biological resources, etc. You may want to organize
this section around individual paragraphs devoted to the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and
biosphere.
4. Discuss the role of physical geography in present-day settlement. Are there hazards that are
considered and managed (like hurricane or earthquake hazards)? Has there been a bust on natural
resources (like old mining towns turning to ghost towns)? Is population growth constricted by physical
landscapes (like being bounded by mountain ranges or preservation areas)? Does the original function of
the city still hold true, or has it evolved beyond its physical geography?
5. Finally, write about the likely future of your chosen place. Humans have a large impact on the
physical environment – look at the impact of your hometown on all the spheres of physical geography.
Are there atmospheric issues (climate, pollution, etc.)? What the quantity and quality of water
resources? What does the future look like for plant and animal species, particularly regional endangered
species? How has the physical landscape been changed (farmland or open space converted to urban
sprawl, or subsidence issues, etc.)?
6. Frame your essay with a compelling introduction and conclusion. A really great way to do this is to
begin telling a story in your introduction, carry the theme through the text, and finish it in your
conclusion. Be sure that your introduction briefly tells the reader what your essay will explain.
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an hour ago
I would like to write about Maui, Hawaii because I visited Lahaina this past year on vacation with my family and loved it.
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