The Five Themes of Geography

What is Geography?

ge·og·ra·phy1 : a science that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth's surfaceSource-Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary

In plain English…

Geography is the study of the earth and everything on it.

The 5 Themes of Geography

LocationPlaceHuman-Environment InteractionMovementRegions

Theme 1: Location Where is it?

Two types of location: absolute and relative

Absolute Location

A specific place on the Earth’s surface

Uses a grid system Latitude and longitude A global address

Relative Location

Where a place is in relation to another place

Uses directional words to describe

North, South, East West

Theme 2: PLACEWhat is it like there,

what kind of place is it?

Human Characteristics

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

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

Physical Characteristics

Things that occur naturally, such as mountains, rivers, wildlife, climate etc.

Theme 3: Human Environment Interaction How People Interact With Their

Environment

People . . . Adapt, Modify and Depend on Their

Environment

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

Theme 4: MOVEMENT

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

• Trucks, Trains, Planes Information Movement

• Phones, computer (email), mail Idea Movement

• How do fads move from place to place?

TV, Radio, Magazines

Theme 5: REGIONS

How are Regions similar to and different from other places?

Formal Regions• Regions defined by government boundaries (States,

Countries, Cities)• Regions defined by similar characteristics (Bible Belt, Rocky

Mountain region, Chinatown) Vernacular Regions

• Regions defined by peoples perception (middle east, the south, etc.)

Helpful Hint…

Remember…Mr. Help M Movement R Region HE Human Environment Interaction L Location P Place

II. The 5 Themes

• Which theme explains how Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida are part of "The South?"

• A) place

• B) human/environment

interaction

• C) location

• D) region

II. The 5 Themes

• Which theme relates to a farmer in Iowa shipping a truck full of grain to a cereal factory, which then sells boxes of Cheerios to grocery stores throughout the country?

• A) location

• B) human/environment

interaction

• C) place

• D) movement

II. The 5 Themes

• Which theme relates to a person packing a beach towel, a hat, and sunscreen for a vacation to the seashore?

• A) human/environment

interaction

• B) location

• C) place

• D) region.

II. The 5 Themes

• Which theme identifies areas that share common physical and/or cultural characteristics?

• A) location

• B) human/environment

interaction

• C) region

• D) place

II. The 5 Themes

• Where is it? This theme tells where things are.

• A) location

• B) human/environment

interaction

• C) movement

• D) place

The Geography of North Carolina

How have regional variations of land, climate, and resources in NC affected patterns of settlement and the economy?

General Facts and Characteristics

NC belongs in the United States’ South Region

NC shares borders with Virginia (North), South Carolina and Georgia (South), Tennessee (West) and to the east by Atlantic Ocean.

NC is the 28th largest state.

It’s climate is described as moderate.

There are 100 counties within North Carolina.

North Carolina’s Land Regions

Topography: physical terrain NC is divided into three

geographical regions: a large area or land with a common set of features.

The three regions are the Mountains, Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain. The Coastal Plain has been divided further into the inner coastal plain and the outer, or Tidewater.

The Tidewater and the Coastal Plain

A characteristic of the Coastal Plain is the Tidewater and the Outer Banks.

The Outer Banks has often been called the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” because of the regions violent storms, strong currents and sandbars.

The Outer Banks refers to the long chain of sandy islands that form NC’s eastern coastline.

The Piedmont

The Piedmont is the region where the vast majority of the state’s population, cities, and industries are located.

Major Cities include Charlotte – largest city Raleigh- State Capital

The Mountains

The Appalachian Mountains form this region in NC. The Appalachian Mountain range stretches from Canada to the state of Alabama.

Most scientists believe that these mountains may be the oldest mountains in the world.

1. Topography refers to ___________________.

2. Identify which two regions the Coastal Plain includes.

3. The Piedmont a) borders the east end of the Outer Banks b) has numerous swamps, lakes, and rivers c) protects the mainland from the direct effects of ocean storms d) is farther above sea level than the Coastal Plain.

4. Which geographic features are characteristic of the Outer Banks? A) rapids and waterfalls b) clay soil and sticky mud c) sandbanks and barrier islands d) mountains and glaciers

5. List all the states that border North Carolina.

6. North Carolina has _____ counties.

7. This region in NC contains the most people, industry, and agriculture.

Your assignment Describe you and your family using the 5 Themes of

Geography. Make sure you use every theme

My Example My family currently lives in Boone, North Carolina. This is west of

Wilkesboro. (LOCATION) We all speak English, are Christian, a family custom is family

dinners each night. My condo is located within walking distance of Appalachian State University. (PLACE)

I adapted to the environment when I moved from Atlanta by buying more clothes for the winter weather! I modified my house when I installed a screen door. (H-E Interaction)

All members of my family drive cars to get from place to place. We also travel by airplane to get long distances. We also all use e-mail and telephones to communicate with each other. My dad and I are both avid ESPN magazine readers. (MOVEMENT)

We live in the South. (REGION)