THE 5 THEMES OF THE 5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHYGEOGRAPHY

Why do we use the five themes?

• Geography begins with knowing WHERE things are.

• More importantly it requires an understanding of WHY things are in a particular place.

• This is tied into HOW these places influence our lives

• Using the themes allows us to gain a better appreciation of cultural and environmental changes around the world. 

THE FIVE THEMES OF THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHYGEOGRAPHY

•LocationLocation•PlacePlace•Human-Environment Human-Environment

InteractionInteraction•MovementMovement•RegionsRegions

LOCATIONLOCATIONWhere are we?Where are we?

• Absolute Absolute LocationLocation– A latitude and A latitude and

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

– Paris France is 48Paris France is 48o o

North Latitude and 2North Latitude and 2oo East Longitude.East Longitude.

– 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 direction or distance. From one distance. From one place to another.place to another.

– Go 1 mile west on Go 1 mile west on main street and main street and turn left for 1 turn left for 1 block.block.

You

are

Her

e

PLACEPLACE

What is it like there, what kind of place is it?What is it like there, what kind of place is it?

• Human Human CharacteristiCharacteristicscs

• What are the main What are the main languages, customs, languages, customs, and beliefs.and beliefs.

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

• Physical Physical CharacteristiCharacteristicscs

• Landforms Landforms (mountains, rivers, (mountains, rivers, etc.), climate, etc.), climate, vegetation, wildlife, vegetation, wildlife, soil, etc.soil, etc.

HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONINTERACTION

• How do humans and the How do humans and the environment affect each other?environment affect each other?– We depend on it.We depend on it.

• People depend on Rivers for water and People depend on Rivers for water and transportation.transportation.

– We modify it – Human Induced We modify it – Human Induced ChangeChange• People modify our environment.People modify our environment.

– We adapt to it.We adapt to it. • We adapt to the environment.We adapt to the environment.

HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONINTERACTION

• Environmental Determinism- human behavior is controlled by the environment

• Possibilism- environment limits the range of choices a culture has

• Can you think of any examples of these?

MOVEMENTMOVEMENT

• How are people, goods, ideas moved How are people, goods, ideas moved from place to place?from place to place?– Human MovementHuman Movement

• Trucks, Trains, PlanesTrucks, Trains, Planes

– Information MovementInformation Movement• Phones, computer (email), mailPhones, computer (email), mail

– Idea MovementIdea Movement• How do fads move from place to place? How do fads move from place to place?

TV, Radio, MagazinesTV, Radio, Magazines

REGIONSREGIONS

• How are Regions similar to and How are Regions similar to and different from other places?different from other places?– Formal RegionsFormal Regions

• Regions defined by governmental or administrative Regions defined by governmental or administrative boundaries (States, Countries, Cities)boundaries (States, Countries, Cities)

• Regions defined by similar characteristics (Corn Belt, Regions defined by similar characteristics (Corn Belt, Rocky Mountain region, Chinatown).Rocky Mountain region, Chinatown).

– Functional RegionsFunctional Regions• Regions defined by a function (newspaper service Regions defined by a function (newspaper service

area, cell phone coverage area).area, cell phone coverage area).

– Vernacular Regions (Not in your book)Vernacular Regions (Not in your book)• Regions defined by peoples perception (middle east, Regions defined by peoples perception (middle east,

the south, etc.)the south, etc.)

Remembering the 5 Remembering the 5 themesthemes

• If you can’t remembering what If you can’t remembering what they are just ask MR. HELP!!!they are just ask MR. HELP!!!•MM – Movement – Movement•RR – Regions – Regions•HEHE – Human Environment – Human Environment interactioninteraction

•LL – Location – Location•PP - Place - Place