Fundamental Themes of Fundamental Themes of GeographyGeography

Objective:Objective:-Define GeographyDefine Geography

-Describe the five fundamental Describe the five fundamental themes that geographers use. themes that geographers use.

What is geography?What is geography? Geography is the study of the earth and Geography is the study of the earth and

the way that people live on it and use it.the way that people live on it and use it. It includes landforms, bodies of water, It includes landforms, bodies of water,

weather, plant and animal life, people, and weather, plant and animal life, people, and the effects of human activity on the earth.the effects of human activity on the earth.

Geographers use the Five Fundamental Geographers use the Five Fundamental Themes of Geography to help organize Themes of Geography to help organize their study. their study.

LocationLocation Every place on earth has an exact position.Every place on earth has an exact position.

• This is called an absolute location.This is called an absolute location.

This can be measured using lines of latitude This can be measured using lines of latitude and longitude.and longitude.

Description of PlaceDescription of Place This theme explains what a place is like by describing its This theme explains what a place is like by describing its

physical and human characteristics.physical and human characteristics. For example,For example,

• the shape of the landthe shape of the land• its climateits climate• animal lifeanimal life• how people lookhow people look• kinds of buildings the live inkinds of buildings the live in

Human – Environment InteractionHuman – Environment Interaction The environment is The environment is

the surroundings in the surroundings in which people, plants, which people, plants, or animals live.or animals live.

This theme describes This theme describes the relationship the relationship between people and between people and their environment.their environment.

An example, Japanese An example, Japanese people make their people make their living catching fish.living catching fish.• This could hurt the This could hurt the

environment if they environment if they catch too much fish. catch too much fish.

MovementMovement Another theme of Another theme of

geography is the geography is the movement of movement of people, goods, and people, goods, and ideas.ideas.

RegionsRegions Another theme of Another theme of

geography is regions. geography is regions. A A regionregion is an area is an area

with common physical with common physical or cultural features or cultural features that set it apart from that set it apart from other areas.other areas.

Regions can be Regions can be divided by size and divided by size and language. language.

Time to ReviewTime to Review What does the word geography mean?What does the word geography mean?

What are the five fundamental themes of What are the five fundamental themes of geography?geography?

What are two ways that geographers What are two ways that geographers divide regions?divide regions?