Question

How is the cultural life of a place shaped by its geography?

Answer 1

Culture is the product of the culmination of history and geography of a region. The geo-strategic location, availability of resources and flora and fauna help in forming its history, which leads to the development of culture.
The culture of a place is shaped by its geography in the following ways:

1.If a place is located on the trade route or is rich in resources, it will automatically acquire a seat of prominence. It will have a rich history as cities will develop in and around the region. The region will attract traders from all over the world, who in turn will bring their own cultures and customs.
For example, Feng-shui is practiced in India though it is a Chinese concept. This is because India and China have rich trading history. Both countries have borrowed certain traditions from each other.

3. The natural vegetation, location and availability of resources facilitate trade that leads to interaction with other cultures.
For example, Ladakh is known for its wool while Kerala is known for its spices. Both these places became important for trade and have been influenced by Chinese and Arab culture, respectively.

Having stated examples, we can surely state that geography of a region shapes its cultural life.