THE FIVE THE FIVE THEMES OF THEMES OF GEOGRAPHYGEOGRAPHY

(Chapter 1 / Section 2)(Chapter 1 / Section 2)

2

THE FIVE THEMES THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHYOF GEOGRAPHY

LocationLocation PlacePlace InteractionInteraction Human-Environment InteractionHuman-Environment Interaction

MovementMovement RegionsRegions

LOCATIONLOCATIONWhere are we?Where are we?

Absolute LocationAbsolute Location A latitude and longitude A latitude and longitude

(global location) or a (global location) or a street address (local street address (local location).location).

Houston, Texas is Houston, Texas is located at 29located at 29o o N (lat.), N (lat.), 9595o o W (long.)W (long.)

The White House is The White House is located at 1600 located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.Pennsylvania Ave.

Relative Relative LocationLocation Described by Described by

landmarks, time, landmarks, time, direction, or distance. direction, or distance. From one place to From one place to another.another.

Go 1 mile west on Go 1 mile west on Main Street, turn left Main Street, turn left at the gas station, at the gas station, and travel one block.and travel one block.

You

are

Here

Power NotesPower Notes

1: Location1: Location 2: Absolute Location

3: latitude and longitude3: street address

2: Relative Location 3: landmarks, time, direction,

or distance

PLACEPLACEWhat’s it like there?What’s it like there?

Human Human CharacteristicsCharacteristics

What are the primary What are the primary languages, customs, languages, customs, and beliefs.and beliefs.

How many people live, How many people live, work, and visit a place.work, and visit a place.

Physical Physical CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Landforms Landforms (mountains, rivers, (mountains, rivers, etc.), climate, etc.), climate, vegetation, wildlife, vegetation, wildlife, soils, etc.soils, etc.

Power NotesPower Notes

1: Place1: Place 2: Human Characteristics

3: languages, customs, beliefs3: live, work, visit

2: Physical Characteristics 3: landforms, climate, vegetation, wildlife, soils

INTERACTIONINTERACTIONHow do How do humanshumans interact interact with their with their environmentenvironment??

We depend on it.We depend on it. For example, people depend on the For example, people depend on the

Mississippi River for water and Mississippi River for water and transportation.transportation.

We adapt to it.We adapt to it. We adapt to the environment by wearing We adapt to the environment by wearing

clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and winter (coats), for rain and sunshine.winter (coats), for rain and sunshine.

We modify it.We modify it. People modify their surroundings People modify their surroundings by erecting shelters for comfortby erecting shelters for comfort and roadways for convenience.and roadways for convenience.

Power NotesPower Notes1: Interaction1: Interaction

2: We depend on environment3: rivers for water, transportation3: trees for lumber, paper

2: We modify environment 3: cities for comfort3: roadways for convenience

2: We adapt to environment 3: clothing for summer/winter3: build shelters

Movement of Humans/GoodsMovement of Humans/Goods Planes, trains, (&) automobiles, trucks, etc.Planes, trains, (&) automobiles, trucks, etc.

Movement of InformationMovement of Information Mail, telephone (voice/text), email Mail, telephone (voice/text), email

Movement of IdeasMovement of Ideas Newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, internetNewspapers, magazines, radio, TV, internet

MOVEMENTMOVEMENTHow does stuff move How does stuff move from place to place?from place to place?

Power NotesPower Notes1: Movement1: Movement

2: Movement of Humans/Goods

3: planes, trains, autos, trucks2: Movement of Information

3: mail, phone (voice/text), email

2: Movement of Ideas3: newspapers, magazines,

radio, TV, internet

REGIONSREGIONSHow are regions defined?How are regions defined?

What are their unifying characteristics?What are their unifying characteristics? Formal RegionsFormal Regions

Regions designated by official boundaries, such as Regions designated by official boundaries, such as cities, counties, states, and countries.cities, counties, states, and countries.

Regions defined by similar characteristics, such as the Regions defined by similar characteristics, such as the Coastal Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and Chinatown.Coastal Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and Chinatown.

Most are clearly indicated and publicly known.Most are clearly indicated and publicly known.

Functional RegionsFunctional Regions Regions defined by their connections (examples Regions defined by their connections (examples

include school district boundaries and cell phone include school district boundaries and cell phone coverage area).coverage area).

Vernacular RegionsVernacular Regions These are perceived regions, such as “The South” and These are perceived regions, such as “The South” and

the “Middle East.”the “Middle East.” They have no formal boundaries but are understood in They have no formal boundaries but are understood in

our “mental maps” of how we see the world around us. our “mental maps” of how we see the world around us.

Power NotesPower Notes1: Regions1: Regions

2: Formal Regions3: official boundaries

4: cities, counties, states, countries

(political maps) 3: similar characteristics

4: Coastal Plains, Rocky Mountains

(physical maps) 3: clearly indicated & known

Power NotesPower Notes

•1: Regions1: Regions2: Functional Regions

3: connections4: school district

boundaries (special purpose maps) 2: Vernacular Regions

3: perceived regions3: no formal boundaries3: “mental maps”

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MNEMONICMNEMONICFor remembering the Five For remembering the Five

Themes…Themes…

Your assignmentYour assignment• Describe you and your family using Describe you and your family using

the 5 Themes of Geography.the 5 Themes of Geography.• Make sure you use every theme.Make sure you use every theme.• Type your biography, double space.Type your biography, double space.