WordGarden.iogeographical
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /dʒˌɪəɡrˈæfɪkəl/
US
- /ˌdʒiəˈɡræfɪkəl/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to places, regions, or location on Earth
relating to geography as a field of study
Beyond the definition
"Geographical" describes things connected to places on Earth—the land, water, climate, natural features, and regions of an area. It's more than just knowing where countries are on a map; it's understanding why those places are the way they are. Think about why deserts form in certain areas, or how mountains affect rainfall. A geographical feature might be a river valley, a coastline, or a certain kind of forest. You'll often hear it used when discussing history: "The geographical location of Greece heavily influenced its development as a seafaring nation." Or when describing a problem: "The geographical challenges of building a railway through the mountains were immense."
"Geographical" refers to everything related to the study of the Earth's surface, including its physical features, climate, population, and resources. It's a broad term encompassing not just where things are located, but also why they are there and how they interact with each other.
You might encounter "geographical" in many contexts. A "geographical survey" maps out the land, while "geographical factors" explain why certain crops grow well in specific regions. A historian might discuss the "geographical advantages" of a city's location for trade or defense. In everyday conversation, you might say something is "a geographically diverse area," meaning it has a variety of landscapes like mountains, forests, and plains.
The term also extends to disciplines like biogeography (the study of how plants and animals are distributed geographically) and geomorphology (the study of landforms). It's important to distinguish "geographical" from "geometric"—while geometry deals with shapes and measurements, geography focuses on the Earth itself.
So, if something relates to the physical world around us—its landscapes, climates, populations, or how they all connect—it's likely a geographical matter. It's about understanding our planet and its incredible diversity.
Examples
- 1
Physical features
The book explains the geographical features of the region.
- 2
Weather regions
Weather conditions can change a lot from one geographical area to another.
- 3
Digital location
The app suggests nearby restaurants based on your geographical location.
- 4
Island isolation
Because of its geographical isolation, the island has many plants found nowhere else.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Housing prices
The report shows clear geographical differences in housing prices across the country.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- geographical area
- geographical location
- geographical distribution
- geographical features
Word family
Explore
- human geography
- physical geography
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- geographicaladjective