The Five Themes of Geography

A Framework for Studying the World

North Carolina Geographic Alliance

PowerPoint Presentations2007

Theme 1: Location

• Where is It?• Why is It There?

Two Types of Location•Absolute•Relative

Absolute Location• A specific place on the Earth’s surface• Uses a grid system• Latitude and longitude• A global address

Pottsville, ARAbsolute Location

• ArkansasLatitude: 34° 57' 4" N Longitude: 92° 22' 51" W

Pottsville– Latitude: N 35° 8' 12.6589"– Longitude: W 93° 4' 23.3908"

Relative Location• Where a place

is in relation to another place

• Uses directional words to describe– Cardinal and

intermediate directions

Arkansas• Arkansas is bordered by

Missouri on the north, Tennesse and Mississippi on the east, Louisiana on the south and Texas/Oklahoma on the west.

• Arkansas is one of the Southeastern States

Theme 2: PlacePhysical Characteristics• Land Features• Mountains, plains,

and plateaus• Climate• Bodies of Water

: Physical Characteristics

http://www.wetmaap.org/Cape_Hatteras/ch_tm_2.html

Photos above: Steve Pierce

Theme 2: PlaceHuman Characteristics

• People• Culture• Language• Religion• Buildings and

Landmarks• Cities

: Human Characteristics

National Geographic Magazine

http://www.rivinus.com/camerastuff/charlotte_nc.htm

Top right:http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/unc/nonsport/school-bio/unc-oldwell2-lg.jpg

Theme 3: Human Environment InteractionHow People Interact With Their

Environment

People . . .• Adapt to Their Environment• Modify Their Environment• Depend on Their Environment

http://www.fotosearch.com/comp/corbis/DGT119/BAG0017.jpg

: Human Environment Interaction

http://aam.wcu.edu/grant/images/Fontana%20Dam%20Shirley.jpg

http://www.ee.duke.edu/~sag8/Duke/02-03/PiKA/Fall%20Break/Fall_Break_02.htm

http://www.dukemagazine.duke.edu/dukemag/issues/091002/images/mallc.jpg

Theme 4: MovementThe Mobility of• People• Goods• Ideas

How Places are linked to one another and the world

: Movement

http://www.marad.dot.gov/Gallery/MoreheadCity/pages/Ming%20Europe.htm

http://www.evertize.com/land/images/I-40-64%20interchange.JPG

Theme 5: RegionsWhat Places Have in

Common• Political Regions• Landform Regions• Agricultural Regions• Cultural Regions

: Regions

http://home.neo.rr.com/rodsphotogallery/NaturalWonders/SeaSand/Images/JockeysRidge.jpg

http://www.shorebirdworld.org/fromthefield/Images/Hatteras%20Light.JPG

http://www.homestead.com/pncfa/files/piedmontmap.jpg

http://www.ncbbi.org/images/piedmont-images/piedmont-nc-heartland-golf.jpg

Steve Pierce