The 5 Themes of Geography: A Framework

for Studying the World

Theme 1: Human Environment Interaction

• How people interact with their environment

• Where is it?How people…….

• adapt to their environment• modify their environment• depend on their environment

Nevada: Human Environment Interaction

Theme 2: PlacePhysical Characteristics• Land features• Mountains• Plains• Plateaus• Hills• Bodies of water

Nevada: Physical Characteristics

Theme 2: Place Human Characteristics

•People

•Culture

•Language

•Values

•Beliefs

•Religion

•Buildings

•Landmarks

•Cities

Nevada: Human Characteristics

Theme 3: Movement

The mobility of….

• people• goods• services

• ideas

How places are linked together and to the world

Nevada: Movement

Theme 4: Location

Two types of location

• Absolute

• Relative

• Why is it there?

Absolute Location

Longitude)• Uses a grid system (Latitude and

• A specific place on the earth’s surface

NevadaAbsolute Location

• Las Vegas

36ºNorth, 115ºWest

• Reno

39ºNorth, 119ºWest

Relative Location

• Where a place is in relationship to another place

Uses directional words to describe-Cardinal and intermediate directions

NevadaRelative Location

• Nevada is bordered by Idaho and Oregon to the north, California to the west and Utah to the east.

• Nevada is one of the Southwestern states.

• Nevada is one of the Western states. CA

UT

IDOR

AZ

Theme 5: Region

What places have in common• Natural or Physical- landforms,

climate, physical features

• Human- economic, political, human characteristics

• Composite- ecosystems,

culture

The Middle East

Nevada: Regions

• Nevada is part of the “Southwest”

• Nevada is part of the “Great Basin”