THE 5 THEMES OF THE 5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHYGEOGRAPHY

CH 1 SECTION 1 NOTESCH 1 SECTION 1 NOTES

Geography Matters…once again!!!

Geography Defined• The ancient Greeks created the word "geography"

from the roots "ge" for earth and "grapho" for "to write."

• The study of the earth and its features and of the distribution of life on the earth, including human life and the effects of human activity.

• There are many definitions of "geography". Most students think that geography is memorizing the locations of countries, capitals, rivers, etc. Geography is really much more than this. I think it is best to remember that geographers try to answer three questions:– Where?– Why there?– Why do we care?

THE FIVE THEMES OF THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHYGEOGRAPHY

•LocationLocation•PlacePlace•Human-Environment Human-Environment

InteractionInteraction•MovementMovement•RegionsRegions

LOCATIONLOCATIONWhere are we?Where are we?

• Absolute Absolute LocationLocation– A latitude and A latitude and

longitude (global longitude (global location) or a street location) or a street address (local address (local location).location).

– Paris France is 48Paris France is 48o o

North Latitude and 2North Latitude and 2oo East Longitude.East Longitude.

– The White House is The White House is located at 1600 located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Pennsylvania Ave.

• Relative Relative LocationLocation– Described by Described by

landmarks, time, landmarks, time, direction or direction or distance. From one distance. From one place to another.place to another.

– Go 1 mile west on Go 1 mile west on main street and main street and turn left for 1 turn left for 1 block.block.

You

are

Her

e

PLACEPLACE

What is it like there, what kind of place is it?What is it like there, what kind of place is it?

• Human Human CharacteristiCharacteristicscs

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

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

• Physical Physical CharacteristiCharacteristicscs

• Landforms Landforms (mountains, rivers, (mountains, rivers, etc.), climate, etc.), climate, vegitation, wildlife, vegitation, wildlife, soil, etc.soil, etc.

HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTIONINTERACTION

• How do humans and the How do humans and the environment affect each other?environment affect each other?– We depend on it.We depend on it.

• People depend on the Tennessee River for water People depend on the Tennessee River for water and transportation.and transportation.

– We modify it.We modify it.• People modify our environment by People modify our environment by

heating and cooling buildings for comfort.heating and cooling buildings for comfort.

– We adapt to it.We adapt to it. • We adapt to the environment by wearing We adapt to the environment by wearing

clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and winter (coats), rain and shine.winter (coats), rain and shine.

MOVEMENTMOVEMENT

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

• Trucks, Trains, PlanesTrucks, Trains, Planes

– Information MovementInformation Movement• Phones, computer (email), mailPhones, computer (email), mail

– Idea MovementIdea Movement• How do fads move from place to place? How do fads move from place to place?

TV, Radio, MagazinesTV, Radio, Magazines

REGIONSREGIONS

• How are Regions similar to and How are Regions similar to and different from other places?different from other places?– Formal RegionsFormal Regions

• Regions defined by governmental or administrative Regions defined by governmental or administrative boundaries (States, Countries, Cities)boundaries (States, Countries, Cities)

• Regions defined by similar characteristics (Corn Belt, Regions defined by similar characteristics (Corn Belt, Rocky Mountain region, Chinatown).Rocky Mountain region, Chinatown).

– Functional RegionsFunctional Regions• Regions defined by a function (newspaper service Regions defined by a function (newspaper service

area, cell phone coverage area).area, cell phone coverage area).

– Vernacular Regions (Not in your book)Vernacular Regions (Not in your book)• Regions defined by peoples perception (middle east, Regions defined by peoples perception (middle east,

the south, etc.)the south, etc.)

Remembering the 5 Remembering the 5 themesthemes

• If you can’t remembering what If you can’t remembering what they are just ask MR. HELP!!!they are just ask MR. HELP!!!•MM – Movement – Movement•RR – Regions – Regions•HEHE – Human Environment – Human Environment interactioninteraction

•LL – Location – Location•PP - Place - Place

Your assignmentYour assignment• Describe you and your family using Describe you and your family using

the 5 Themes of Geography.the 5 Themes of Geography.• Make sure you use every theme.Make sure you use every theme.