The Five Themes of Geography

Mrs. Dent

World Regional Studies Honors

8/17/15

There are five important questions that we can ask to help organize information about places we study…What is the location of a place?What is the character of the place?How do people interact with the natural environment of a place?How do people, goods, and ideas move between places?How are places similar to and different from other places?

I. Location: What is the location of a place?

Every geographical feature has a unique location—its global address.

Two ways we can tell what the location of a place is…

1. Absolute location: the EXACT Latitude and Longitude

2. Relative location: Expressing a location in relation to another site – how it’s connected to other places

Examples

Absolute location: Kansas City is located at approximately 39 degrees North, 98 degrees West.

Relative location: Canada is north of the United States. Describe the location of Kansas.

II. Place: What is the character (special and unique features) of the place? Described in 2 ways: by either physical or cultural characteristics.

A. Physical Characteristics1. Landforms/Bodies of Water/Processes that

Shape the Landscape/Elevation2. Climate3. Soils4. Natural Vegetation 5. Animal Life6. Bodies of Water

US Physical Map

B.Cultural/Human Characteristics1. Religion

2. Languages

3. Population Factors/Settlement Patterns

4. Economic Activities

5. Governments

6. Food/Clothing/Customs

7. Art/Literature/Media

8. Technology

Example: Population Distribution and Density in the United States

III.Human-Environment Interaction: How do people

interact with the natural environment of a place?

Changes can be deliberate or unplanned; favorable or destructive.

The Hoover Dam (border between NV

and AZ)

IV.Movement: How do people, goods, and ideas move between places?

• Transportation

• Communication

• Trade

V. Regions: How are places similar to and different from other places?

Q: What is a region? A: A group of places bound together by one

or more similar characteristics (patterns of physical features and/or of human development).

Fact: There are three types of regions

Formal Regions – areas in which all the population share a defining trait (ex. County, state, country, etc. where boundaries are clear cut on a map)

Functional/Nodal Regions – areas which are characterized by a central focus on some activity (ex. Metro areas w/ commuting, trade, TV/radio, newspaper, shopping centers, branches of business; sports team fan base, etc.)

Vernacular Regions – areas that exist in the mind of a large number of people and may play an important role in the cultural identity, stereotypes (ex. “the South,” “the Midwest,” “the Bible Belt,” “New England,” etc.)

Acronym that will help you remember the Five Themes of Geography…LUCKY PEOPLE HAVE MORE RECESS!

L P H M R

6 Essential Elements in Geography

• We use the 5 Themes of Geography to learn about each of the essential elements in geography.

• 1. The Spatial World – no place is alone and maps are used to study connects among people, places, and environments

• 2. Places and Regions – each area of the world has unique physical and human characteristics that affect how we perceive various areas

• 3. Physical Systems – the physical aspects of our world shape how people are able to interact with it

• 4. Human Systems – people’s activities, movements, and settlements shape the Earth

• 5. Environment and Society – people use the land for their advantage

• 6. Uses of Geography in Today’s Society – think spatially to understand relationship among people, places, and environments over time

6 Essential Elements in Geography

5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY PRACTICE!1. This summer I went to Australia which is located in the

Southern Hemisphere.2. We wanted to travel through the outback,3. But we stayed on the eastern shore of the continent instead.4. One interesting thing I found is that the first inhabitants of

Australia were actually criminals brought from Great Britain.5. I was surprised to find out that contrary to popular belief,

Australia is quite lush and green due to irrigation.

6. Most Australians looked and acted much like Americans. However, a small number of people are Aborigines who practice a very nomadic and traditional way of life.

7. After a month, we hopped back on an airplane

8. And headed back to Los Angeles which is located on the west coast of the United States.