Physical structure of geographical environment—Integrity and disparity, generality and individuality

Abstract

Integrity and disparity are two of the basic characteristics implied in the scientific connotation of the physical environment as a material system. From a dialectical materialistic point of view the physical character of geographical environment of the earth surface is the unity in diversity. It is on such grounds that the two basic characteristics were put forth by the author in his monograph “Physical Structure of South American Geographical Environment” as the underlying theme. This holds true for the hierarchy of physical regions. For instance, the physical environment of the earth surface in unity behaves as a huge whole, yet, in differentiation into continents, it displays disparity; each continent differs from others and becomes an integrity in its own right. The same is true of regions of lower levels. In the case of generality and individuality of regional types and their constituent distributive areas in different continents, the same relationship exists among them. Owing to similar origin each type and its distributive areas in different continents bear the general character in common. On the other hand, each area expresses its own peculiarities, resulting from the interactions of the specific conditions of the continent in which lies the area concerned. In addition, the South American tropical west-coast desert exemplifies an observable dynamic changes of the physical structure of geographical environment from aid to humid and vice versa with the wax and wane of E1 Nino.