Over the past twenty years, geography as an academic discipline has become more and more reflective, asking the key questions 'What are we doing?' 'Why are we doing it?'. These questions have, so far, been more enthusiastically taken up by human geography rather than physical geography. Contemporary Meanings in Physical Geography aims to redress the balance. Written and edited by a distinguished group of physical geographers, Contemporary Meanings in Physical Geography comprises of a collection of international writer's thoughts which reveal personal motivations, and look at tensions in the worlds of meaning in which physical geography is involved. How are the meanings of the physical environment derived? Is the future of physical geography one where the only, or at least the dominant, meanings are framed in the contexts of environmental issues. Covering a diverse and lively selection of topics, the contributors of this book offer guides to the contemporary debates in the philosophy of physical geography, and introduce the reader to its wider cultural significance. This book is an essential companion to anyone studying, or with an interest in, physical geography.

This authoritative text offers detailed and comprehensive explanations of all important natural systems and processes in physical geography. Fundamental processes and materials of inorganic earth systems are presented first, giving students a solid foundation from which to study the more complex organic systems covered later. The third edition provides an updated chapter on soils, a new section on remote sensing techniques and revised coverage of such topics as El Nino, acid rain, Sahel drought and rain forest destruction. More than 160 full-color photographs and maps are incorporated in the text, plus over 1,000 glossary entries.

Contemporary Human Geography is a beautifully crafted, modular springboard into essential human and cultural geography concepts, designed for the contemporary geography student. This brief, innovative text explores current human geography in the bold visual style that distinguishes Dorling Kindersley (DK) publications. Topics within each chapter are organized into modular, self-contained, two-page spreads. Together with the graphics, Rubenstein's efficient writing engages students, presenting information clearly without sacrificing the high-quality geography content essential to students and instructors.

Thinking Geographically offers students and faculty alike an elegant, concise, and thorough overview of contemporary theoretical concerns in geography. Easily accessible to those unfamiliar with social theory, this volume "pushes the envelope" of understanding by sketching the contours of post-structuralist spatial thought, including such critical emerging topics as geographies of text, the body, money, and globalisation. Brief biographies of influential theorists demonstrate how ideas are embodied and personified. This volume is highly useful for courses in human geography, the history and status of the discipline, and will stand as a milestone in the discipline's conceptual understanding over the next decade or more." Barney Warf, Florida State University The last decade has seen Geography transformed by an astonishing range of cultural and philosophical concepts and approaches. Thinking Geographically is designed for students as an accessible and enjoyable introduction to this new landscape of geographical ideas. The book takes the reader through the history of geographic thought up to a survey of the present. Contemporary theory is then used to explore real world issues drawn from across the discipline of social, cultural, political and economic geography. Entertainingly written and packed with examples and with profiles of key theorists, the book is an ideal introduction for any student who wants to discover the potential of thinking geographically.

This Fourth Edition of a well-established text on physical geography provides rigorous coverage of the topic at the undergraduate level. It includes a full-color art program and increased attention to environmental issues.

Development Geography is an informative and vibrant introductory level text, with a wealth of contrasting case-studies and illustrations. Written to stimulate critical thought and discussion about development, it does not assume any clear-cut distinction between 'developed' and 'developing' parts of the world. Case-studies highlight the problems and possible solutions at local, national and international scales. These include: * food production in Senegal * Disney in China * Hurricane Mitch in Honduras * corruption in Bulgaria * further studies from Russia, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Development Geography is the fifth book to be published in the popular modular text series Routledge Contemporary Human Geography.

With an innovative integration of visuals, text, and spatial graphics, Introduction to Contemporary Geography presents a modular and highly graphical springboard to introductory geography - ideal for contemporary students and learning styles. This innovative new resource partners best-selling human geography author Jim Rubenstein with environmental and physical geographer Bill Renwick, economic/political/cultural geographer Carl Dahlman, and the information architects at Dorling Kindersley (DK). The authors' approachable prose and DK's bold visual style combine to engage students with little to no science background, encouraging them to become scientifically literate and responsible consumers, readers, and voters.

The second edition of this best-selling and highly respected textbook provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the major topics within physical geography. An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment is designed with a range of in-text features such as case studies and reflective questions to aid study. As well as this, students have access to a rich and extensive range of online support resources such as extra weblinks, fieldwork worksheets, interactive models and new video clips of physical processes in action, all of which will help them achieve success in their Physical Geography course.