GEOGRAPHER’S WORLD The Five Themes of Geography. Geography is about the discovery of the world around us. Geographers analyze how people everywhere make.

GEOGRAPHER’S WORLDGEOGRAPHER’S WORLD

The Five Themes of Geography

Geography is about the discovery of Geography is about the discovery of the world around us.the world around us.

Geographers analyze how people everywhere make use of space, and interact with their environment and with each other.

We use geography every day:◦Finding our way to school.◦Going on road trips. ◦Deciding what to do, where to go, how to

dress or even what to eat.

Shopping malls

Highways and bridges

Housing subdivisions

Geography is organized into 5 Geography is organized into 5 THEMESTHEMES

Whenever a geographer looks at a place they can organize all information into 5 themes:

1. Location2. Place3. Human-Environment Interaction4. Movement5. Region

1. Location 1. Location Every place on earth has a location. Every place on earth has a location. Location is defined in terms of absolute and Location is defined in terms of absolute and relative location.relative location. Absolute Location:

The exact spot on earth where something is found.◦ 29 N 90 W◦ New Orleans

Relative Location: The position of a place in relation to other places.◦ Located at the mouth

of the Mississippi river, below Lake Pontchartrain.

◦ Near the oil refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.

Absolute and Relative Absolute and Relative LocationLocationWhy would we want to use absolute

location to describe a place?◦More precise◦Does not change

Why would we want to use relative location to describe a place?◦Easier to understand◦Describes characteristics about a

location

2. Place 2. Place Every place on earth has special Every place on earth has special characteristics that make it different from characteristics that make it different from every other placeevery other place. . Physical

Characteristics:Weather, land

features, plants and animals.

Human Characteristics:People, Culture,

Language, Religion, Buildings and Landmarks, & CitiesChina

Himalayas

3. Human–Environment 3. Human–Environment InteractionInteraction People are constantly interacting with their People are constantly interacting with their surroundings.surroundings. People adapt to their

environment. People change their

environment.

4. Movement 4. Movement People, goods and ideas move continuouslyPeople, goods and ideas move continuously. .

The movement of these people, goods and ideas is called spatial interaction.

Bullet train in Japan

Coca Cola in Africa

McDonald’s in China

5. Region 5. Region A region is an area defined by common A region is an area defined by common characteristics.characteristics.

Regions can be defined by more than one characteristic.

What theme of Geography does What theme of Geography does this image represent?this image represent?

1.

Number 1-8 in your notes


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Branches of GeographyBranches of Geography Geography is divided into two

different branches:◦Human Geography ◦Physical Geography

Geography as a ProfessionGeography as a ProfessionCartographers: People who make

maps.◦United States Geological Survey

hires cartographers to make topographic maps. Topographic maps: Surface feature maps.

Geography as a ProfessionGeography as a ProfessionMeteorologist: People who

specialize in weather and weather forecasting.

Maps Maps

MapsMaps

Map: A flat diagram of all or a part of Earth’s surface.

Map projections: Different ways of presenting the round Earth on flat surfaces.

Map ComponentsMap ComponentsMost maps have several common features:

1. Directional indicator: Arrows that show directions on a map; points to all 4 directions.

2. Scale: Represent distances between points on a map.

3. Legend: Explains what the symbols on the map represents; also called a key.

Reading MapsReading MapsDirectional indicator

Scale

Legend

Types of MapsTypes of Maps

Question: What can maps be used to show?

Answer: Physical features (mountains, rivers, etc.)Political features: boundariesEconomyClimatePopulation

Create a map of your Create a map of your neighborhood. neighborhood. Your map must

include: ◦ Title ◦ Compass Rose

(Directional indicator)

◦ Scale ◦ Legend or a Key

Your map must include: ◦ 15 details, at the

very least. Your House Friends’ houses Businesses Hangout spots Playgrounds / parks Mailboxes Physical Features Human Features

Absolute and Relative Absolute and Relative LocationLocation

Describe the location of your home.

Are you using absolute or relative location to describe it? Why?

Answer the following questions Answer the following questions using your map:using your map:1. What is the relative location of

your house?2. List the physical characteristics

that are present on your map.3. List the human characteristics

that are present on your map.

Vocabulary WordsVocabulary Words

MovementTransportation of people, goods,

and ideas

RegionAn area defined by more than one common characteristics

LocationDefined in terms of absolute (exact) of relative (general)

location

Human-Environment Interaction

Adapting to or changing your environment

PlacePhysical and Human

characteristics of a particular area

Compass RoseArrows that show directions on a

map

ScaleRepresents distance between

points on a map

LegendExplains what symbols on a map

represent; also called a key

GEOGRAPHER’S WORLD The Five Themes of Geography. Geography is about the discovery of the world around us. Geographers analyze how people everywhere make.

Documents

noteswhat theme of geography

absolute location

movement people

maps maps mapsmap

topographic maps

map componentsmost maps

human characteristics

physical characteristics