Offering a fully integrated, systems-based approach to physical geography, the new Third Edition of Alan and Arthur Strahler's highly successful text incorporates relevant and recent developments in the field. The text's accurate and comprehensive coverage provides both the breadth and depth necessary to appreciate how humans are changing, and are changed by, the Earth. This edition has a new emphasis on global change, remote sensing, and tools in geography as "Interchapter Features" located after selected chapters. * Accuracy: This text has been praised for its accuracy in conveying key physical geography concepts to the undergraduate students helping them to understand key concepts, which are crucial to further study in the discipline * Currency: This title includes the most up-to-date information available. With the growth of remote sensing, GIS, and other geographic techniques, currency in textbooks has become increasingly important * Outstanding art programme: The title includes a photographic and illustration programme that is second to none. These visuals are extremely important for helping students comprehend the key scientific concepts in physical geography * Critical thinking: The text provides the tools that students need to think critically and scientifically. Table of Contents Part I: Introduction 1:  Introducing Physical Geography 2:  Spheres, Scales, Systems, and Cycles Part II: Weather and Climate Systems 3:  The Earth as a Rotating Planet 4:  The Global Energy System 5:  Air Temperature and Air Temperature Cycles 6:  Atmospheric Moisture and Precipitation 7:  Winds and the Global Circulation System 8:  Weather Systems 9:  The Global Scope of Climate 10: Low-Latitude Climates 11: Midlatitude and High-Latitude Climates Part III: Systems and Cycles of the Solid Earth 12: Earth Materials and the Cycle of Rock Change 13: The Lithosphere and the Tectonic System 14: Volcanic and Tectonic Landforms Part IV: Systems of Landform Evolution 15: Weathering and Mass Wasting 16: The Cycling of Water on the Continents 17: Fluvial Processes and Landforms 18: Landforms and Rock Structure 19: The Work of Waves and Wind 20: Glacier Systems and the Ice Age Part V: Systems and Cycles of Soils and the Biosphere 21: Soil Systems 22: Systems and Cycles of the Biosphere 23: Biogeographical Processes 24: Global Ecosystems Appendix 1: The Canadian System of Soil Classification Appendix 2: Climate Definitions and Boundaries Problem Answers Glossary Photo Credits Conversion Factors Index Endpapers