This volume provides definitions and historical perspective for specialized and technical concepts used in current research and writing in the field of physical geography. Of particular value to the serious student and professional in geography and related fields, the dictionary covers some 100 major concepts and provides the most complete reference available in the field to date. For each concept, the authors provide detailed definitions, arranged from the earliest to the most recent. They proceed to describe the historical growth of each term using original research works for references whenever possible. This enables the researcher to see how the concept has evolved over time, how it is currently used, and what the general direction of research might be in the future. Each entry also includes a list of prominent references concerning the concept and a bibliography of additional sources of information available such as texts, literature, reviews, important articles, and bibliographies. Complete cross referencing of concepts and an appendix that groups concepts into broad categories make the dictionary an especially valuable reference tool for both beginning students interested in the scope of physical geography and advanced students pursuing graduate study in the field.