THE 5 THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY
Jan 01, 2016
Geography The study of the distribution and
interaction of physical and human features on the earth.
From the Greek word geographia, meaning “to describe the earth.”
LOCATIONWhere are we?
Absolute Location A latitude and
longitude (global location) or a street address (local location).
Paris France is 48o
North Latitude and 2o East Longitude.
The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Relative Location Described by
landmarks, time, direction or distance. From one place to another.
Go 1 mile west on main street and turn left for 1 block.
You are Here
Relative Location Examples:
Rome is located near the Mediterranean Sea.
Argentina is near Brazil. Ecuador is south of Mexico. Mr. T lives near Dell Diamond.
PLACEWhat is it like there, what kind of place is it?
Human Characteristics
What are the main languages, customs, and beliefs.
How many people live, work, and visit a place.
Physical Characteristics
Landforms (mountains, rivers, etc.), climate, vegetation, wildlife, soil, etc.
Human Characteristics
Specific to THAT place, not generic. Peoples activities change the way a place looks or is
represented. Man-made or invented.
Language Unique buildings Religious Practices Celebrations/traditions/holidays
Examples: Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Many Mexicans are Catholic. Mayan ruins are located in Mexico. Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday in Mexico.
Physical Characteristics
Specific to THAT place, not generic. The way a place looks.
Created by nature. Mountains Rivers, Lakes, Seas Climate Vegetation
Examples: Andes Mountains are in South America. Amazon River flows through Brazil. Pampas are located in Argentina. The isthmus of Panama connects Central &
South America.
REGIONSHow are regions similar to and
different from other places? Formal Regions
Regions defined by governmental or administrative boundaries (States, Countries, Cities)
Functional Regions Regions defined by a function (newspaper service area,
cell phone coverage area, area code). Perceptual/Vernacular Regions
Regions defined by peoples perception (Middle East, The South, etc.)
Formal Region Most common/familiar. Determined by the distribution of a uniform
characteristic (physical or cultural) Location Climate Religion
Examples Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama) States – Texas, Arizona, New York, Montana Tropics (countries located near equator)
** All Formal Regions are based on MEASURABLE data!!!
Functional Region Serves a purpose that affects places
around it. Distributes goods/people Serves specific purpose
Examples: Panama Canal Amazon River Basin Hollywood Area Code 512
Perceptual Region Groups of areas that provoke a certain
stereotype or feeling. Examples:
The Bronx China Town The South The Middle East
Now, you try it… State of Texas - Amazon River Basin - The South - Rust Belt - Travis County - Country of Brazil - The ship channel - Aggieland - Chinatown -
Now, you try it… State of Texas - Formal Amazon River Basin - Functional The South - Perceptual Rust Belt - Perceptual Travis County - Formal Country of Brazil - Formal The ship channel - Functional Aggieland - Perceptual Chinatown - Perceptual
MOVEMENT
How are people, goods, ideas moved from place to place? Human Movement
Trucks, Trains, Planes Information Movement
Phones, computer (email), mail Idea Movement
How do fads move from place to place? TV, Radio, Magazines
Movement Places do not exist in isolation.
Interconnectedness of the world changes the way places “look”. Today: “globalization”
People, goods & ideas move from place to place.
Examples Immigration from Latin America to US. War in Iraq (troops, supplies, ideas,
people) UNL (people, ideas) Facebook (ideas)
HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION
How do humans and the environment affect each other? We depend on it.
People depend on the Tennessee River for water and transportation.
We modify it. We build dams
We adapt to it. We adapt to the environment by wearing
clothing suitable for summer (shorts) and winter (coats), rain and shine.
People modify our environment by heating and cooling buildings for comfort.