THE 5 THEMES OF

GEOGRAPHY

Geography The study of the distribution and

interaction of physical and human features on the earth.

From the Greek word geographia, meaning “to describe the earth.”

THE FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHYLocationPlaceHuman-Environment Interaction

MovementRegions

LOCATIONWhere are we?

Absolute Location A latitude and

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

Paris France is 48o

North Latitude and 2o East Longitude.

The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Relative Location Described by

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

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

You are Here

Absolute Location Examples:

Rome is located at 41 N, 12 E Address

Relative Location Examples:

Rome is located near the Mediterranean Sea.

Argentina is near Brazil. Ecuador is south of Mexico. Mr. T lives near Dell Diamond.

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

Landforms (mountains, rivers, etc.), climate, vegetation, wildlife, soil, etc.

Human Characteristics

Specific to THAT place, not generic. Peoples activities change the way a place looks or is

represented. Man-made or invented.

Language Unique buildings Religious Practices Celebrations/traditions/holidays

Examples: Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Many Mexicans are Catholic. Mayan ruins are located in Mexico. Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday in Mexico.

Physical Characteristics

Specific to THAT place, not generic. The way a place looks.

Created by nature. Mountains Rivers, Lakes, Seas Climate Vegetation

Examples: Andes Mountains are in South America. Amazon River flows through Brazil. Pampas are located in Argentina. The isthmus of Panama connects Central &

South America.

REGIONSHow are regions similar to and

different from other places? Formal Regions

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

Functional Regions Regions defined by a function (newspaper service area,

cell phone coverage area, area code). Perceptual/Vernacular Regions

Regions defined by peoples perception (Middle East, The South, etc.)

Formal Region Most common/familiar. Determined by the distribution of a uniform

characteristic (physical or cultural) Location Climate Religion

Examples Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama) States – Texas, Arizona, New York, Montana Tropics (countries located near equator)

** All Formal Regions are based on MEASURABLE data!!!

Functional Region Serves a purpose that affects places

around it. Distributes goods/people Serves specific purpose

Examples: Panama Canal Amazon River Basin Hollywood Area Code 512

Perceptual Region Groups of areas that provoke a certain

stereotype or feeling. Examples:

The Bronx China Town The South The Middle East

Now, you try it… State of Texas - Amazon River Basin - The South - Rust Belt - Travis County - Country of Brazil - The ship channel - Aggieland - Chinatown -

Now, you try it… State of Texas - Formal Amazon River Basin - Functional The South - Perceptual Rust Belt - Perceptual Travis County - Formal Country of Brazil - Formal The ship channel - Functional Aggieland - Perceptual Chinatown - Perceptual

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

Movement Places do not exist in isolation.

Interconnectedness of the world changes the way places “look”. Today: “globalization”

People, goods & ideas move from place to place.

Examples Immigration from Latin America to US. War in Iraq (troops, supplies, ideas,

people) UNL (people, ideas) Facebook (ideas)

HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION

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

People depend on the Tennessee River for water and transportation.

We modify it. We build dams

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

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

People modify our environment by heating and cooling buildings for comfort.

Remembering the 5 themes

If you can’t remembering what they are just ask MR. HELP!!!M – MovementR – RegionsHE – Human Environment interactionL – LocationP - Place