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unit-i : GEOGrAPHY
Chapter 1 Our EnvirOnmEnt
We live on earth in different types of surroundings. This surroundings is our environment.
We eat, breathe, grow, reproduce and then die. Then next generation comes and the cycle
goes on and the human race flourishes on earth.
What is EnvironmEnt?
The term “environment” is derived from a French word
‘environer’, meaning ‘neighbourhood’. In simple terms,
whatever we see in our surroundings, are collectively called
environment; that is the place, people, things and nature that
surround any living organism is called environment. These
surroundings can be divided into two categories— natural
and man-made. These are also known as the components of
the environment.
ComponEnts of thE EnvironmEnt
Our environment consists of two main components— natural
and man made. These are also called the physical and human
environment.
1. Natural ENviroNmENt Components of our Environment
We live on the Earth which is one of the eight planets of the Solar System. With its varied
surface features, our Earth stands apart from all other planets. But, what makes it unique
among all planets is, that it harbours life. Life exists on the Earth in countless forms, including
humans. No other planet is known to provide conditions favourable to life. The various forms
of life–the plants, the animals, and the micro-organisms constitute its biological environment.
The biological environment is shaped and supported by the Earth’s physical environment
constituted by air, land, water. However, the physical environment on Earth is not the same
all over.
i. Biotic Environment
This environment includes the world of living organisms. For
example— human beings, plants, animals, insects, etc.
ii. Abiotic Environment
This refers to the world of non-living elements. For example
: land, air, water, etc.
The land on which we live is not a man-made thing, but
it has been created through a natural process. Similarly
Spheres of the Earth air, water, natural vegetation etc. also occur naturally.
Social Studies-7 5
