Beautifully illustrated and including numerous subject 'capsules', this text follows the development of the several threads of the concept of landscape as they have evolved across disciplines and across countries. Divided into three sections, it first of all introduces the key notions of landscape, then examines the various factors which influence the way in which landscape is perceived now and in the past, with all of the senses. Finally, there is a consideration of the various ways of protecting, managing and enhancing the landscape, especially considering a future of climate change.