FIVE THEMES of GEOGRAPHY

Location

Place

Human-Environment Interaction

Movement

Region

Absolute Location

The exactspot onEarth wheresomethingis found!

Absolute Location *Absolute location is the exact spot on Earth where something is found —such as the specific latitude and longitude of a location.

Relative Location *Relative location is the position of a place in relation to other places.

Every PLACE on Earth has special characteristics that make it different from every other place.

PlacePlace

Human-Environment Interaction

People are constantly interacting with their surroundings. This is called human-environment interaction.

People, goods and ideas move continuously. *The movement of people, goods and ideas is called spatial interaction.

Movement

*A region is an area defined by common characteristics—such as language and religion.

Regions can be defined by physicaland cultural characteristics--includinglanguage and religion.

Region

Lines of latitude are drawn in an east-west direction and measure distance north and south of the equator. Lines of latitude are called parallels because they are always parallel to the equator. Parallels north of the equator are labeled with an N, and those south are labeled with an S.

Lines of longitude are drawn in a north-south direction and measure distance east and west of the Prime Meridian—in Greenwich, England. Lines of longitude are called meridians. Meridians west of the Prime Meridian to 180 degrees are labeled with a W. Those east of the Prime Meridian to 180 degrees are labeled with an E.

*Parallels of latitude run west to east but measure north and south.

*Meridians of longitude run north to south, but measure west and east.

*The Prime Meridian--which goes through Greenwich, England--divides the Western and Eastern Hemispheres.

Zero degree latitude is the Equator. Zero degree longitude is the Prime Meridian.

Mapmakers use scales to represent distance between points on a map. Many scales give distances in miles and kilometers.

Scales

Mapmakers use scales to representdistance between points on a map. Many scales give distances in milesand kilometers.

Scales

Maps in a textbook indicate direction by using a compass rose. A compass rose has arrows that point to all four principal directions.

Compass Rose Compass RoseMaps in a textbookindicate direction byusing a compass rose. A compass rose hasarrows that point toall four principaldirections.

LegendsThe legend, orkey, explains whatthe symbols on amap represent--such as roads andresources. Somelegends showdifferent colors thatrepresent certainelevations.

*The legend, or key, explains what the symbols on a map represent--such as roads and resources. Some legends show different colors that represent certain elevations.

Time Zones: The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours, so there are 24 hours to a day. Because there are 360 degrees in a circle, time zones change about every 15 degrees longitude.

*One hour of time is usually added for every 15 degrees of longitude a person moves eastward.

There are four time zones in the United States—not including Alaska or Hawaii.

Time ZonesThe Earth rotateson its axis onceevery 24 hours, sothere are 24 hoursto a day. Becausethere are 360degrees in a circle,time zones changeabout every 15degrees longitude.

*If you travel across the International Date Line from Hawaii to Japan, you will go from Sunday to Monday.