- The geographical determinism of Ellen Churchill Semple: Semple argued that the physical features of a region, such as its climate, topography, and natural resources, determine the economic activities, social institutions, and political systems that develop there. For example, she believed that the harsh climate of northern Europe led to the development of strong, centralized governments, while the more moderate climate of southern Europe led to the development of more decentralized, democratic governments.
- The climatic determinism of Ellsworth Huntington: Huntington argued that climate has a direct impact on human behavior and culture. For example, he believed that hot climates lead to laziness and apathy, while cold climates lead to energy and ambition.
- The environmental determinism of Jared Diamond: Diamond argued that the environment has played a entscheidend role in the development of human societies. For example, he believed that the Eurasian continent's east-west orientation allowed for the easy spread of agriculture and technology, while the north-south orientation of the African continent made it more difficult for these things to spread.
Environmental determinism has been criticized for being too simplistic and for ignoring the role of human agency. However, it remains a influential theory in geography, anthropology, and other social sciences.
