The term “environment” refers to everything that surrounds us—both living and non-living. It includes the air we breathe, the land we live on, the water we drink and even our social networks. Changes in the environment can directly or indirectly influence our behaviour, growth, and general well-being. While 2 types of environment are most commonly recognised—Geographical Environment and Man-made Environment—there are also other ways to classify environments, and discuss their components of environment clearly and simply.

Explore Types of Environment

The 2 Types of Environment

1. Geographical Environment

Also called the natural environment, it consists of all features that exist without human intervention. These include:

Physical features: Mountains, rivers, plains, deserts, oceans, climatic factors (such as storms, cyclones, and rain), and more.
Biological elements: Plants and animals that form ecosystems.

The geographical environment supplies resources essential for survival and economic growth. Some examples are forests providing timber, fertile land aiding agriculture, and water sources supporting drinking and irrigation needs. Often, humans have minimal control over these natural conditions—volcanic eruptions, storms, or droughts can significantly affect people and wildlife alike.

2. Man-made Environment

This environment is the result of human efforts to modify or control natural surroundings. It is also sometimes referred to as the social-cultural environment because it reflects the values, traditions, and innovations of a society. The man-made environment can be divided into:

Inner Environment

This is the social and cultural framework that shapes our lives. It includes:

Customs and traditions.
Organisations and institutions (schools, banks, hospitals, etc.).
Laws and regulations that govern social behaviour.

Because people’s lives are organised around these social systems, the inner environment constantly influences how individuals think, behave, and interact.

Outer Environment

The outer environment focuses on physical modifications and technological advancements made by humans. It includes:

Buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
Transportation and communication systems.
Tools and technologies (from electrical appliances in homes to large-scale industrial machines).

While the inner environment deals with society’s cultural and organisational aspects, the outer environment deals with practical structures that support daily life. Both are closely connected and influence each other continuously.

Other Ways to Classify Environments

Physical, Social, and Cultural Environment

Physical environment: Similar to the geographical environment, including all-natural surroundings.
Social environment: Represents the human relationships, family structure, and communities.
Cultural environment: Involves traditions, beliefs, art, and literature passed down through generations.

Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Biosphere
In types of environment in geography, some sources break it down into four spheres of the Earth:

Lithosphere: The solid outer layer (land).
Hydrosphere: All water bodies (oceans, rivers, lakes).
Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding the Earth.
Biosphere: All living organisms, including plants, animals, and humans.

Addition of the Anthroposphere for Human Impact
Sometimes, a fifth sphere or environment is added to show how humans alter natural systems:

Anthroposphere: All parts of the Earth that are impacted or modified by humans (cities, farms, mines, etc.).

Types of Environment in Geography and Social Studies

Types of environment in geography: Often focus on natural landforms (mountain environment, coastal environment, desert environment, etc.) and how these shape human settlement, agriculture, and lifestyle.
Types of environment in social studies: Emphasise social and cultural aspects, such as how institutions, communities, and economic factors shape an individual’s life.

Components of Environment

To better understand the environment, it helps to see it as a combination of interlinked components of the environment:

Abiotic (Non-living) Components: Land (lithosphere), air (atmosphere), and water (hydrosphere).
Biotic (Living) Components: Plants, animals, and microorganisms (biosphere).
Human-made Components: Infrastructure, technology, and cultural institutions (anthroposphere or man-made environment).

These components interact with each other constantly. For example, technology (a human-made component) can extract resources (abiotic) and impact living organisms (biotic).

types of environment - biotic and abiotic

Additional Unique Insights

Economic and Environmental Balance: Sustainable use of natural resources is important to protect the environment and maintain a stable economy.
Adaptation: Humans and other living organisms must adapt to changes in the environment, whether those changes are natural (like a shift in climate) or human-induced (like pollution).
Stewardship: Each individual plays a role in conserving natural environments, ensuring future generations can benefit from them.

Quick Quiz on Types of Environment

Try these short questions to test your understanding. Answers are provided below.

Which of the following is not a part of the man-made environment?
A. Roads
B. Forests
C. Bridges
D. Houses

What do we call the environment shaped by traditions, laws, and institutions?
A. Inner Environment
B. Outer Environment
C. Natural Environment
D. Physical Environment

Which component deals with living things like plants and animals?
A. Abiotic Components
B. Biotic Components
C. Cultural Components
D. Institutional Components

Which sphere includes all forms of water on Earth?
A. Lithosphere
B. Atmosphere
C. Biosphere
D. Hydrosphere

Quiz Answers

B. Forests
A. Inner Environment
B. Biotic Components
D. Hydrosphere

FAQs on Types of Environment: The Complete Guide for Students

1. What are the 2 types of environment?

The two broad types are the Geographical (natural) environment, which includes natural features like mountains, rivers, and climate, and the Man-made (artificial) environment, which includes human-created elements such as buildings, roads, and social systems.

2. Why do we have different ways to classify the environment?

Different fields of study (like geography, social studies, and biology) focus on different aspects—natural resources, social structures, or human impact—so they sometimes create separate or additional categories to highlight specific features.

3. How is the geographical environment important for the economy?

Natural resources like forests, water bodies, and fertile soil contribute to agriculture, industries, and trade, helping to boost the economy. Protecting and managing these resources sustainably ensures their long-term availability.

4. What is the role of the social-cultural environment?

The social-cultural environment forms the inner environment that shapes people’s values, behaviour, and learning through traditions, institutions, laws, and community life.

5. Are pollution and climate change part of the man-made environment?

Pollution and climate change are the results of how humans interact with their surroundings. They affect both the man-made and geographical environment by altering natural conditions and harming living organisms.

6. Why is it important to study the components of the environment?

Studying the components of the environment helps us understand the relationships between living and non-living things. It also helps us see the impact of human actions on nature and guides us to make better decisions for our planet’s well-being.