Meaning of environment

 What is the meaning of environment? 

Environment is viewed in different ways and angels by different groups of people and disciples. It may be safely argued that environment is an inseparable whole and is constituted by the interacting systems of physical, biological and cultural elements which are inter-linked individually as well as collectively in many ways. 

Physical elements (space, landform, water bodies, climate, soils, rocks and minerals) determine the variable character of the human habitat, its opportunities as well as its limitation. Biological elements (plants, animals, micro-organisms and man) constitute the biosphere; cultural elements (economic, social and political) are essentially man-made features, which go into the making of cultural milieu. 

The term 'environment' originates from the French word 'environ' or 'environner' meaning 'around', 'round-about', 'to surround'or 'to encompass'.