The 5 Themes of The 5 Themes of GeographyGeography

How Geographers look at the How Geographers look at the worldworld

LocationLocation

Absolute LocationAbsolute Location- - identifying an exact spot identifying an exact spot on the earth using on the earth using latitude & longitude.latitude & longitude.

– Example: Example: 41º 38’ 01.24” N 41º 38’ 01.24” N 111º 52’ 07.09” W111º 52’ 07.09” W

Relative LocationRelative Location- where - where a place is located in a place is located in relation to other things. relation to other things.

– Example: directions to Example: directions to your house.your house.

PlacePlace

Human CharacteristicsHuman Characteristics- - things people do that things people do that make a place unique. make a place unique.

– Examples: language, Examples: language, religion, customs, religion, customs, foods, clothing, etc.foods, clothing, etc.

Physical CharacteristicsPhysical Characteristics- - natural features of the natural features of the earth in an area. earth in an area.

– Examples: climate, Examples: climate, landforms, vegetation, landforms, vegetation, waterbodies, etc.waterbodies, etc.

Human-Environment Human-Environment InteractionInteraction

How humans change How humans change the environment to the environment to meet their needs & how meet their needs & how the environment affects the environment affects human activities. human activities.

– Example: Example: deforestation, deforestation, reservoirs, farming, reservoirs, farming, clothing types, etc. clothing types, etc.

MovementMovement

The movement of people, The movement of people, goods, & ideas across the goods, & ideas across the globe & why they move. globe & why they move.

– Example: boats, Example: boats, airplanes, trains, trucks, airplanes, trains, trucks, television, newspapers, television, newspapers, internet, telephone, internet, telephone, talking, etc.talking, etc.

RegionRegion

An area defined by a common characteristic. An area defined by a common characteristic.

– Formal RegionFormal Region- united by specific - united by specific factors. Example: cultural, political, factors. Example: cultural, political, religiousreligious

– Functional RegionFunctional Region- a central place & - a central place & the area linked to it. Example: greater the area linked to it. Example: greater Salt Lake areaSalt Lake area

– Perceptual RegionPerceptual Region- defined by popular - defined by popular feelings & images rather than by feelings & images rather than by objective data. Example: the Westobjective data. Example: the West

Geographers at WorkGeographers at Work

Research methods geographers use to Research methods geographers use to gather data include:gather data include:

– Direct Observation- field work, remote Direct Observation- field work, remote sensing, aerial photossensing, aerial photos

– Interviewing- how people think or feel Interviewing- how people think or feel about an issue about an issue

– Statistics- census data, temperature & Statistics- census data, temperature & rainfallrainfall

– Technology- satellites, computers, GPSTechnology- satellites, computers, GPS– Mapping- cartography, GISMapping- cartography, GIS