<p>Physiography explains the physical characteristics of the area more generally describing the physical processes or forces that formed the landscape, while topography describes particular features, typically associated with elevations. For example in geomorphology (as your post is tagged) the physiography of Canadian prairies may describe deep fertile soils, ancient lake bed remnants, multiple sloughs or ditches that fill with water, etc. The topography would describe the extreme flatness with many depressions in the landscape. In practice, physiography is quite broad and topography refers to elevation data (I.e. a topographic map would have elevation points or contours). </p>

<p>Take a look here at <a href="https://wikidiff.com/topography/physiography" rel="nofollow noreferrer">WikiDiff</a> as well.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-03T00:07:25.443Z
2018-09-03T00:07:25.443Z
Rob
<p>What is the difference between physiography &amp; topography? I can't understand the context in which to use both. Please explain by giving suitable examples. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-01T10:58:11.847Z
Welcome to EarthScience.Stackexchange! We are happy to answer questions. However, we expect question-asking users to try to answer their questions on their own. Hence, please include your understanding of these two expressions in your question.
daniel.heydebreck
<geomorphology>
Topography & physiography
Vandana
# Topography & physiography

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-09-01)

What is the difference between physiography & topography? I can't understand the context in which to use both. Please explain by giving suitable examples.

**Tags:** geomorphology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome to EarthScience.Stackexchange! We are happy to answer questions. However, we expect question-asking users to try to answer their questions on their own. Hence, please include your understanding of these two expressions in your question.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-09-03. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

Physiography explains the physical characteristics of the area more generally describing the physical processes or forces that formed the landscape, while topography describes particular features, typically associated with elevations. For example in geomorphology (as your post is tagged) the physiography of Canadian prairies may describe deep fertile soils, ancient lake bed remnants, multiple sloughs or ditches that fill with water, etc. The topography would describe the extreme flatness with many depressions in the landscape. In practice, physiography is quite broad and topography refers to elevation data (I.e. a topographic map would have elevation points or contours).

Take a look here at [WikiDiff](https://wikidiff.com/topography/physiography) as well.


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