Final answer:
The characteristics of a place including climate, water sources, topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, and elevation are described by geography, which is the study of the Earth's physical features and their interrelationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
When describing the characteristics of a place including climate, water sources, topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, and elevation, you are describing the geography of that place. The study of geography involves understanding the physical features of the Earth and their relationship to one another, like how the elevation and latitude affect climate patterns or how the type of soil can determine the kinds of vegetation that will thrive in a particular area.
Understanding physical geography is essential to comprehend the distribution of biomes, which are influenced directly by climate, and hence geography plays a crucial role in explaining the relationship between environmental features and the life forms they support. Courses or studies that may include such discussions could feature titles such as Physical Geography, Environmental Science, or Earth Science, where students learn about the intricate connections between physical phenomena and living organisms.