Geographic features are physical characteristics of the Earth’s surface that are created by natural processes such as erosion, volcanic activity, and tectonic movement. These features can be classified into two broad categories: landforms and waterbodies.
Landforms are natural features that make up the Earth’s surface. They include mountains, hills, valleys, plateaus, deserts, and plains. Mountains are the highest and most prominent landforms, with peaks that rise above the surrounding terrain. Hills are smaller than mountains and have a rounded shape. Valleys are low-lying areas between mountains or hills, while plateaus are elevated flatlands. Deserts are dry regions with little rainfall, while plains are flat areas with low relief.
Waterbodies are natural features that contain water. They include oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and streams. Oceans are the largest waterbodies and cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface. Seas are smaller than oceans and are partially enclosed by land. Lakes are bodies of water that are surrounded by land, while rivers and streams are flowing bodies of water that are fed by precipitation and runoff from the land.
Geographic features are not limited to these broad categories. There are many other types of features that are unique and fascinating. For example, a caldera is a collapsed volcanic crater, while a geyser is an explosive hot spring. A mesa is a flat-topped elevated landform, while a moraine is a glacial debris accumulation. A rift valley is a tectonically split lowland, while a seamount is a submerged volcanic mountain. A tide pool is a rocky coastal waterhole, while a volcano is a magma eruption rupture. An archipelago is a collection of islands, while a dune is a hill of loose sand. A fjord is a glacially carved inlet, while a lagoon is a shallow coastal waterbody. A tepui is a table-top mountain, while a karst is a dissolved rock landscape. A palsa is a frost-heave mound, while a thermokarst is a permafrost thaw landscape.
In summary, geographic features are physical characteristics of the Earth’s surface that are created by natural processes. They can be classified into two broad categories: landforms and waterbodies. However, there are many other types of features that are unique and fascinating. These features are important to study because they provide valuable information about the Earth’s history and the processes that shape our planet.