Why is it important to learn about physical geography?

It is important to know about physical geography so you can recognize a place.  If you think about the United States, each state has its own identifying characteristics, i.e., something that makes it unique.   

We know that California is known for its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, and its propensity for earthquakes.  Someone considering moving to the area near the San Andreas Fault might want to take that into consideration before buying...

It is important to know about physical geography so you can recognize a place.  If you think about the United States, each state has its own identifying characteristics, i.e., something that makes it unique.   

We know that California is known for its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, and its propensity for earthquakes.  Someone considering moving to the area near the San Andreas Fault might want to take that into consideration before buying a house there.  The Rocky Mountain region is vastly different from Florida, which is mostly swamp and wetlands.  It is important for us to know about the landscape of an area, and whether it is predominantly desert, forest, wetlands, etc.  If you are going to travel to a different place, its location is often a good indicator of its climate; therefore, you might know how to dress appropriately.    

Physical geography is also used in Global Positioning Systems or GPS Navigation Systems.  We use physical geography in our daily lives in locating buildings and just getting from place to place.