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 LocationWHAT IS IT?• A specific place on the Earth’s surface• Latitude and longitude• A global address

EXAMPLE: Rhode IslandAbsolute Location

41° N Latitude 71° W longitude

Relative Location:

WHAT IS IT?• Where a place

is in relation to another place, such as borders

• Uses directional words to describe a location.

EXAMPLE: Relative LocationRHODE ISLAND:

• Rhode Island is bordered by Massachusetts to the north and east, Connecticut to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

Theme 2: PlacePhysical Characteristics WHAT IS IT?• Land Features• Mountains, plains,

and plateaus• Climate• Bodies of Water

EXAMPLE: Rhode Island: Physical Characteristics

Rhode Island's climate is usually mild, but in summer and winter, weathers can get extremely high or low.

Narragansett Bay

Jerimoth Hill: 812 ft Foster, RI

Theme 2: PlaceHuman CharacteristicsWHAT IS IT?

• People• Culture• Language• Religion• Buildings and

Landmarks• Cities

EXAMPLE: Rhode Island : Human Characteristics

Providence, RI Capitol Building

Rhode Island slang wicked: used to describe something that is super awesome, very cool, or clever.

Coffee Milk: one of Rhode Island’s favorite family beverages.

Newport Bridge and Rose Island Lighthouse

Theme 3: Human Environment InteractionWHAT IS IT?

**How People Interact With Their Environment

People . . .• Adapt to their environment• Modify or change their

environment• Depend on their environment

EXAMPLE: Rhode Island Human Environment Interaction

Adapt to Rhode Island, by utilizing the oceans for jobs

Modify by building bridges to make travel easier

Theme 4: MovementWHAT IS IT?

The Mobility of• People• Goods-Products• Ideas

How Places are linked to one another and the world

EXAMPLE: Rhode Island Movement

Theme 5: Regions

What Places Have in Common

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

EXAMPLE: Rhode Island Regions