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

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

Theme 3: Human Environment InteractionHow People Interact With Their

Environment

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

North Carolina: Human Environment Interaction

Theme 4: Movement

The Mobility of• People• Goods• Ideas

How Places are linked to one another and the world

North Carolina: Movement

Theme 5: Regions

What Places Have in Common• Political Regions• Landform Regions• Agricultural Regions• Cultural Regions

North Carolina: Regions

Steve Pierce