The Five Themes of Geography

A Framework for Studying the World

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

New YorkAbsolute Location

• Central ParkNYC-Central Park 40° N 73° W

• AlbanyAlbany 42° N 73° W

Relative Location• Where a place

is in relation to another place

• Uses directional words to describe– Cardinal and

intermediate directions

NEW YORK• New York is bordered by Pennsylvania and New Jersey

to the south, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont to the east, and the two Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

• New JerseryPennsylvaniaConnecticutMassachusettsVermontOntario andQuebec

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

and plateaus• Climate• Bodies of Water

New York: Physical Characteristics

Theme 2: PlaceHuman Characteristics

• People• Culture• Language• Religion• Buildings and

Landmarks• Cities

New York: Human Characteristics

Theme 3: Human Environment InteractionHow People Interact With Their

Environment

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

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New York: Human Environment Interaction

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

How Places are linked to one another and the world

New York: Movement

Theme 5: RegionsWhat Places Have in

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

New York: Regions

Steve Pierce