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

North CarolinaAbsolute Location

• North Carolina36° N Latitude 79° W longitude

• Chapel Hill35° 55' N Latitude 79° 05' W Longitude

Relative Location

• Where a place is in relation to another place

• Uses directional words to describe– Cardinal and

intermediate directions

North Carolina

• North Carolina is bordered by Virginia on the north, South Carolina and Georgia on the south, and Tennessee on the west.

• The Atlantic Ocean forms North Carolina's east coast.

• North Carolina is one of the Southeastern States

Theme 2: PlacePhysical Characteristics• Land Features• Mountains,

plains, and plateaus

• Climate• Bodies of Water

North Carolina: 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

North Carolina: 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 Interaction

How 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

North Carolina: 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: Movement

The Mobility of• People• Goods• Ideas

How Places are linked to one another and the world

North Carolina: 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: Regions

What Places Have in Common

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

North Carolina: 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