The Fundamentals of Physical Geography is an e‐textbook. There is a second book, also included in the website, in the process of being created called Understanding Physical Geography. The Physical Geography Chapters are divided as follows: Introduction to Physical Geography, Maps, Remote Sensing, and GIS, Science of Physical Geography, Introduction to Systems Theory, The Universe, Earth, Natural Spheres, and Gaia, Energy and Matter, Introduction to the Atmosphere, Introduction to the Hydrosphere, Introduction to the Biosphere, and Introduction to the Lithosphere. Each chapter includes a study guide, additional readings, and internet web links. There is also a glossary of terms with links to other definitions within the primary definition for further explanation.
There is a Popular Search Keywords and Pages containing such topics as: volcanoes, nitrogen cycle, desert, sedimentary rocks, time zones, greenhouse effect, atmospheric pressure, laws of thermodynamics, carbon cycle, and deposition. The Geography Games section is in the process of being created and according to the authors will be ready soon.
Accessing the information does not present any problems or require any expertise. The pages, graphics, and links are quick and easy to load. Users are not required to pay an access fee for information. The initial screens and user interface is clear, concise, easy to read and understand with pleasing colours of green with bands of orange. The graphics are appropriate and fitting for the topic. The links are also appropriate for the topic and are well maintained. Some areas are under construction, but this is explained in the About section. There is advertising, but it is kept to the sides of the screens and not distracting.
Dr Pidwimy and Scott Jones are in the Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. The material is created for teaching physical geography and is not biased in any particular direction.
This website is an e‐textbook with links to external supportive information; it is not a search engine. There are book chapters and links that take the user directly to the information. This website does not contain a Help section. The authors are available via e‐mail for comments or corrections and their email address is on the bottom of each screen. This e‐textbook is free for use by students, teachers, and anyone interested in learning about geography. Authors and publishers must contact Dr Pidwimy and Scott Jones to use the material for commercial publications.
There are other e‐books on physical geography available, but this resource provides a variety of materials using print, video, and other media. It links many types of information available from government, educational, and commercial sources. There are additional links to encyclopedias, glossaries, and other reference resources. This website was created for university level students, but it can be used by multiple levels of users. Physicalgeography.net is a good resource for students as a background to physical geography and will be of benefit as an additional resource if a university does not use this website directly as an e‐textbook.
