What is meant by the term "cultural landscape"?

The term "cultural landscape" refers to the visible imprint of human activity on the landscape. This concept encompasses the ways in which humans have modified their environment and how these modifications reflect cultural values, practices, and social structures. Cultural landscapes include a wide range of human influences, such as architecture, agricultural practices, urban planning, and even transportation routes, which illustrate the interaction between people and their environment over time.

In essence, the cultural landscape showcases the relationship between a society and its physical surroundings, highlighting how culture informs the transformation of natural landscapes into spaces that fulfill human needs and aspirations. This understanding is vital in cultural geography as it provides insights into how different groups interact with their environment and the diverse ways in which culture can shape and define a place.