Dry World African World Polar World Pacific World References Questions Culture Culture is the sum total of knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral patterns shared and passed on by members of society. Culture is not a hereditary trait. One cannot inherit culture through genetic means, it must be acquired. The importance of culture to geography is apparent when we think of geography as the study of the earth's surface. Man's behavior and culture is the most active agent changing the earth's surface today.
Man upsets the balance of nature both deliberately and unintentionally.
The clearing of forests for farmland or urban expansion is an example of deliberate changes made to the earth. And the erosion caused by the unimpeded flow of water is an example of unintentional change. Imprinting is theacquisition of information through our speech and behavior. Imprinting is how we transfer our culture to others, especially our children. Parents begin imprinting their culture on their children as soon as they are born.