5 Themes of Geography

Bell Ringer: August 11, 2014Find the definition for Geography:

You may use your book or cell phone.

GeographyGeography comes from the Greek Word

“geographia” meaning to describe the earth.

5 ThemesThe themes of geography help us understand

and organize information about geography.They work together to help the geographer

describe the use of SPACE.Helps us answer questions:

1. Where is it?2. What is it like?3. How are places similar and different?4. How do people/goods/ideas get from one

place to another?5. How do people relate to their physical

surroundings?

1. Location: Where is it?Absolute Location: the EXACT place on

earth where a geographic feature is found.LatitudeLongitudeEquatorPrime Meridian

Relative Location: describes a place in comparison to places around it.

1. Location: Where is it?

Label:EquatorPrime Meridian

LatitudeLongitude

1. Location: Hemispheres

2. Place: What is it like?Place is what makes an area unique or

different. What makes an area one of a kind describes it’s PLACE.

What makes New York one of a kind?__________________________________________What makes Orlando, Florida one of a kind?__________________________________________

Human vs. PhysicalThis theme is divided into 2 components:

Human Characteristics: Human Characteristics describe man made objects like buildings or bridges. (Remember they must be UNIQUE)

Physical Characteristics: These are NATURAL things that are UNIQUE/ONE OF A KIND to an area.

Example of a Human Characteristic:__________________

Example of a Physical Characteristic:__________________

Physical CharacteristicsWhich of the following do you believe would

be used to describe the physical characteristics of Georgia?

Stone Mountain?

Maple Tree?

Savannah River?

Would these qualify as a human characteristics of Griffin?

3. Region: How are places similar or different?

Region: areas of the earths surface with similar characteristics.

The world is divided into different regions based on similarities and differences.

Formal Regions: usually defined by a continental area and similar cultures.

Formal Regions=Our Class UnitsUS and Canada“Latin America”EuropeNorth Africa and South West AsiaSub-Saharan AfricaSouth Asia and East AsiaAntarcticaAustralia and New Zealand

4. Human-Environment InteractionHow do people interact with their

surroundings?This is the relationship between people

and their environment.

Can you think of examples?Positive:__________________________Negative:_________________________

5. MovementHow do people, ideas, and goods move

from one place to another?3 types:

Linear Distance: how far a person or idea travels. Restricted by geography. Example:__________________

Time Distance: how long did it take for a person or idea to travel. Shaped by geography and technology.

Psychological Distance: how people view distance. When you get older, locations do not seem as far

away. If you are familiar with a place, it seems closer.

Daily Grade: Closing Show your understanding of the 5 themes.Use each theme to describe Griffin, Georgia

or another place you have been.Pay attention to the question each theme

answers.You can include illustrations. Each theme should be explained in at least 3-

4 complete sentences.