Describe the relationship between culture and the physical environment.

 Although physical environment affects a people's culture, it does not directly determine it. Two aspects of the physical environment that heavily influence a people's culture are topography and climate.
All the physical features that characterize the surface of a geographic region constitute its topography. Some surface features such as navigable rivers and flat plains facilitate travel and contact with others. By contrast, treacherous mountain ranges and large bodies of water can discourage contact. Cultures isolated by topographical features can find themselves less exposed to the cultural traits of other peoples, which can mean slower cultural change. Topography can impact consumers' product needs and can also have a profound impact on personal communication in a culture.
Climate affects where people settle and helps direct systems of distribution. It plays a large role in lifestyle and work habits, to which companies must adapt, and it also impacts customs such as the type of clothing people wear.