p Society, though itself influenced by nature, affects the surrounding nature and brings about corresponding changes in it, thus forming, in one way or another, a new geographical environment. Man, while producing the material goods needed for his life, transports various species of animal and plant from one place to another, thus changing the flora and fauna of the corresponding regions, and even continents. For example, such plants as potatoes, tomatoes corn, tobacco and 315 some others were brought to Europe from America.

p Even plants and animals that spread in any particular area of the world without man’s interference, are subject to man’s influence. Man is able to change some species of animal and plant by his purposeful activities. Besides, he breeds new species, thus changing the flora and fauna of the given region.

p Not only animate but also inanimate nature undergoes changes under the influence of human society. Large amounts of burnt fuel result in a concentration of carbonic acid in the atmosphere, which affects plant growth. By extracting large quantities of minerals from the earth and shipping them as raw materials or manufactured goods to other corners of the world, man changes the qualities of the geographical environment.

Human society’s impact on the geographical environment is not, however, always uniform. It changes as society develops, as the means of labour at its disposal improve and the social system changes. As society develops, however, this impact steadily grows. By inventing increasingly sophisticated means of labour, man draws new domains of nature into the sphere of his practical activities and purposely changes them, thus establishing his supremacy over nature.