The First Working Party Report (Anon. 1982) defined 'Land surface evaluation' for engineering practice as: 'The evaluation and interpretation of land surface features and recorded surface data using one or a combination of the ground mapping, interpretation, classification and visual remote sensing techniques outlined in this report'. The techniques outlined in the report were land classification, remote sensing and geomorphological mapping.

This book is intended primarily for the student of African geomorphology. Its originality lies in the fact that, with the exception of certain glacial and periglacial features, the examples are drawn entirely from Africa. More than ten years have passed since I first discovered to my amazement that throughout large parts of Africa most physical geography textbooks and much teaching involved the use of European or North American examples. Now, while there is an enormous volume of literature on African geomorphology in various academic journals and research bulletins, these are frequently inaccessible to students or else are published in foreign languages. It is my belief, therefore, that there has long been a need in schools and colleges for a basic text utilising this vast fund of knowledge. I hope that, in part, the present book may satisfy this need.

Geomorphology literally means the study of the Earth’s landforms. It is defi ned by the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG; www.geomorph.org) as the interdisciplinary and systematic study of landforms and their landscapes, as well as the Earth surface processes that create them. Geomorphologists investigate landforms and landscapes addressing multiple aspects, such as their genesis,  morphometry , chronology and past and future evolution. They also investigate Earth surface processes not only to understand their morphogenetic role, but also to gain a scientifi c basis for assessing and managing a great deal of environmental problems associated with them, notably geohazards (e.g. landslides, fl oods, subsidence, earthquakes). 

1 Introduction to the Landscapes and Landforms of Italy Mauro Soldati and Mauro Marchetti
Part I Physical Environment
2 The Great Diversity of Italian Landscapes and Landforms: Their Origin and Human Imprint Mauro Marchetti, Mauro Soldati, and Vittoria Vandelli
3 Outline of the Geology of Italy Alfonso Bosellini
4 The Climate of Italy Simona Fratianni and Fiorella Acquaotta
5 Morphological Regions of Italy Paola Fredi and Elvidio Lupia Palmieri
Part II Landscapes and Landforms