Physical Geography: Physical geographers look at the landscapes, surface processes, and climate of the earth -- all of the activity found in the four spheres (the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere) of our planet. Physical geography focuses upon the character of, and processes shaping, the land-surface of the Earth and its envelope, emphasizes the spatial variations that occur and the temporal changes necessary to understand the contemporary environments of the Earth. Its purpose is to understand how the Earth’s physical environment is the basis for, and is affected by, human activity.