introduction to world history unit 1 – africa lesson 1 – themes of geography

INTRODUCTION to World History

Unit 1 – AfricaLesson 1 – Themes of Geography

Themes of Geography

1. Location

2. Place

3. Region

4. Movement / Direction

5. Environmental Interaction

1. LOCATION• Defines where something is• Two types: RELATIVE and ABSOLUTE

ABSOLUTE:(precise, numerical digits)

Example:“Africa is 0 degrees North, 20 degrees East”

1a. LOCATION

• RELATIVE defines where something is in relation to something else

“Africa is EAST of South America”

2. PLACE• Defined by everything IN it • No real absolutes

Example:(this place if filled with desks and students)

Or…“Africa is a place where people live in primitive huts”

3. REGION• Defines hazy boundaries where there are

similar characteristics

Example:“In Eastern US, most people work HARD for money, and live in a fast paced world.”

Or…“Most people in Southern Africa live a slower paced life, not concerned about material things.”

4. Movement

• Defines how people, products, and even ideas go from one place to another

GLOBAL MOVEMENT:“The ship sailed EAST from Africa to Australia”

LOCAL MOVEMENT:“At the sound of the bell, students BOLTED out the door.”

5. INTERACTION WITH ENVIRONMENT

• Defined how people have worked with nature

Examples:“Civilizations have always formed near rivers”

Or…“solar cells and wind power will one day produce all electricity we ever need”

5a. INTERACTION WITH ENVIRONMENT

• Sometimes humans try to change nature

Examples:“San Diego is a desert, but you’d never know it while living there”

Or…“Ancient Chinese built canals to divert water for transportation”

5b. INTERACTION WITH ENVIRONMENT

• Usually, humans have to adapt to nature

Examples:“Ancient Egyptians had to rebuild after the annual flooding”

Or…“Japan is still suffering from the Tsunami, and New York will never be the same after Sandy”